"Excellent staff interaction with children. Staff model respect, cooperation, flexibility, patience. Staff provide environment in which children feel comfortable, relaxed, happy and involved in play ... Classrooms are bright, inviting. Individual interest areas are arranged to promote independent learning ... Emphasis on self-exploration, creativity, (and) independence."

-- 2008 State of IL Dept. of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Annual Review --

"Program promotes growth, well-being, development of self-help skills, communication skills, social competence, and positive self-identity. Acivities build upon each other and help children to understand relationships between themselves and throughout the world. Much emphasis on facilitating children to communicate. Very positive program."

-- 2011 State of IL Dept. of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Annual Review --

Ages: Open to 3-4 year olds. Children must be age 3 by September 1^st.

Meets: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings.

Overview: The primary focus of this class is to introduce children to a school setting that is stress-free and fun, providing a safe and comfortable environment with organized play and discussion. In the M/W/F Preschool class at CCP, your child will be encouraged to participate in group activites, and explore their own interests while gaining self-confidence and independence.

Curriculum: The foundation of our child-centered, play-based curriculum is guided by the implementation of THE CREATIVE CURRICULUM FOR PRESCHOOL ®, along with an engaging creative arts program, a multifaceted social and emotional curriculum where diversity is embraced and every child feels valued and cherished.

A rich array of weekly topics of interest (generated by the current students’ interests) are offered in an age appropriate manner and incorporated into the play-based curriculum. The culminating event of the year is the ABC party where letters of the alphabet come alive!

Our staff’s implementation of the curriculum embraces the emotional world of children through kind, nurturing interactions enhanced by the Nurtured Heart Approach ™ and Conscious Discipline ® methodologies helping each child develop a positive sense of self as an active learner. These positive emotional memories of early learning - last a lifetime.

M/W/F Preschool Classroom Routine

Time	Overview	Details
8:30 AM - 8:55 AM	Arrival/Greeting/Free Play	Greeting from teacher upon arrival Wash hands Free play or Book look
8:55 AM - 9:10 AM	Circle Time (Large Group Learning)	Weather Counting/Letter of the Week Secret Sack Review of the day’s activities Group discussion
9:10 AM - 10:00 AM	Center Play (Small Group Learning)	Facilitated play experiences (blocks, games, dramatic play, etc.) Art-based unit projects Enhanced Creative Arts Program
10:00 AM - 10:10 AM	Clean-up Time
10:10 AM - 10:20 AM	Music and Movement	Songs, musical instruments, finger plays, creative movement
10:20 AM - 10:35 AM	Snack (provided by CCP)
10:35 AM - 10:50 AM	Story Time
10:50 AM - 11:15 AM	Outdoor Recess or Indoor Large Motor Play	Outdoor play on beautiful, tree-shaded, fenced playground with tricycle path, play structure with slides, large sand box, and playhouse Indoor play in gross motor room with large play equipment, sand table, kitchen, puppet theater, and indoor riding toys
11:15 AM - 11:20 AM	Dismissal of non-Playtime Plus Students
11:20 AM - 12:15 PM	Playtime PLUS	Extended multi-aged play on the outdoor playground or in the classrooms & gross motor room during inclement weather