Preschool program design: mission, infrastructure, and educational theories

Preschool Preparation

Preschool Planning

The mission of the preschool will be to provide services in a fun, safe, and educational environment. Each child will be guaranteed individualized attention and a quality learning experience, including group activities, educational and interactive toys, games, books, and quality scholastic television programming and computer applications for select age groups. Children will also participate in seasonal field trips to petting zoos, community gardens and recreational centers. The preschool's overall aim will be to assist with all developmental milestones of students by focusing on activities that encourage cognitive, psychological and emotional growth.

Implementation of Objectives

The preschool will accomplish its goal by hiring a highly qualified team of certified pre-Kindergarten educators and other staff who will assume daily responsibility for providing engaging learning experiences. Staff will be designated to specific age groups to offer appropriate instruction and encourage peer relationships. Emphasis will be placed on discovery-centered learning through both organized and spontaneous play. This will provide the best social, physical, mental, and emotional stimulation of all students (White, 1999).

Infrastructure

Ideally, we would like to explore leases of previous preschools or childcare facilities that meet the form and function of the envisioned facility and also include an outdoor play area. Capital expenditures will include the hiring and staff training, marketing, supplies, furniture, computers, and other essentials.

Operations

A proper balance of student headcount and staff will be necessary, with student-teacher ratios kept minimal. All employees must be properly screened prior to employment and trained. We will work to foster consistent communications with parents throughout their children's enrollment via written and emailed communications, bulletin boards, phone correspondence and teacher-parent conferences. We will obtain proper state and city licensing and accreditation, provide efficient management and oversight and follow best practices for the early education industry (Alasuutari & Karila, 2010).

Classes will run throughout the calendar year for children aged one to four years. Both full-time and part-time contracts will be available, with operating hours being between 7 AM and 6PM, Monday through Friday, excluding all major holidays.

Educational Theory

Three very valuable educational theories will be utilized: Core Knowledge, Arts-Based Theory, and Care Theory. The Core Sequence (a grade-by-grade instruction model), and is deeply rooted in building upon what students already know (Frazee, 1993). Core Knowledge theory states that all students develop a foundational body of knowledge that persists and grows with each passing grade level. Following this theory, every child should learn age-appropriate essentials of science, history, mathematics, arts and reading (Hirsh, 2006).