OUAT Curriculum
Once Upon a Time Childcare Center in Verona, WI utilizes the Creative Curriculum in all classrooms (infant through Preschool, as well as our School-age programming) (teachingstrategies.com). OUAT uses the Pyramid Model implementation framework to support and enhance social and emotional learning in young children. The Creative Curriculum is aligned with the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS). WMELS is a framework for developmentally appropriate expectations for young children. WMELS utilizes 5 domains (Health & Physical Development; Social & Emotional Development; Language Development & Communication; Approaches to Learning; Cognition & General Knowledge). Each domain has sub-domains. Staff incorporates these domains into lesson planning and into the classroom learning environments.
Teachers and staff are also encouraged to use various philosophies and curriculum models within their classrooms to provide the most enriching environment for children. All teachers are required to incorporate the following elements into their program:
- Open-ended discussions and questions with children
- Process-oriented and hands-on projects and activities
- Self-selected activity time (encouraging children to make their own choices and explore new areas)
- Planned time for a large group, small group, and one-on-one learning activities
- Building activities from the current interests of the children
Activities Will Help Develop the Following
- Large & Small muscle development
- Intellectual stimulation
- Problem-solving skills development
- Mathematical & Scientific skill development
- Language development
- Creative expression
- Outdoor exploration
Promoting social, emotional, intellectual, and physical development is our focus. The curriculum of each classroom will be age and developmentally appropriate. Reading and the study of authors; art and the study of different art forms; music and the study of various musicians and styles will add depth to each classroom’s curriculum. Children will have a writing opportunity daily to practice and develop language and writing skills. Talents, skills, and self-expression will be encouraged and recognized through performances, sharing with other classrooms, posting of children’s material on walls throughout the center, etc.
The center has no religious affiliation and provides no religious training. However, while studying diversity, social studies, geography, and other cultures, activities or the curriculum may include studying holidays of various cultures.
How will it look?
Interaction with the infant’s primary caregiver is an extremely important element of learning. One-on-one interaction between teacher and child is the focus. Teachers will interact with children while they are managing their daily needs (diapering, feeding, holding) to engage them and use that time to teach and nurture. When babies are awake, teachers will move the baby’s arms and legs to encourage large muscle development; will sing and read to babies showing them pictures and colors to stimulate cognitive growth; teachers will hand babies small toys and plush items to encourage small motor development; and, teachers will place babies near one another to allow them to develop social skills. During free play times, teachers will allow infants to engage their creative side by letting them choose toys and encourage them to sing, talk and do infant art!
Toddlers will engage in play appropriate to their age. Climbing equipment, wagons, tunnels, small mats, etc. will be used to increase large muscle development. Meals and playtime will be structured so children have the opportunity to play together if they choose to develop social skills. Shape sorters, block puzzles, stringing beads, and other small manipulatives will encourage small muscle growth. Dramatic play items, art centers, and block centers will encourage toddlers to explore their creative side. Storytime, music, art, counting games, puzzles, fingerplays, etc. will further develop toddlers’ cognitive skills.
Staff will work and coordinate with parents regarding infant/toddler schedules in regard to sleeping, eating, toileting, etc.
Preschool children (ages 3 – 6) will use puzzles, small manipulatives, activity boards, toys, coloring, writing, and art activities to enhance small muscle development. Preschool children will engage in yoga, dance, running, jumping, climbing, and other exercises on a daily basis to encourage large muscle growth. Blocks, dramatic play, author study, music, art exploration, nature study, computers, and more will further develop creative, experiential, cognitive, and social skills.
Children at Once Upon A Time
Children in the Verona Pre-K (District 4K program) program will use puzzles, small manipulatives, activity boards, toys, coloring, writing, and art activities to enhance small muscle development. Preschool children will engage in yoga, dance, running, jumping, climbing, and other exercises on a daily basis to encourage large muscle growth. Blocks, dramatic play, author study, music, art exploration, nature study, computers, and more will further develop creative, experiential, cognitive, and social skills.
School-age children at both our Verona and Belleville locations will play outside when they arrive after school, have a snack, and some quiet time to work on homework. Children use computers for research and learning, writing, author and musician studies, dramatic play, to develop cognitive, creative, and social skills. Working with Legos, puzzles, and other arts & craft projects will encourage continued small muscle development. Children will use the large playground equipment, yoga, dance, and more to encourage large muscle development.
During a hybrid District program year, school-age students will be able to attend OUAT and OUATS to learn virtually or during their out-of-school time.
The educational curriculum at Once Upon a Time will reflect cultural diversity in several ways. Teachers and staff will show respect and interest in children’s language and cultural expressions such as art, music, food, and literature. Special cultural holidays, traditions, and celebrations will become learning experiences for all. Each classroom will have age-appropriate multicultural dolls, materials, music, and books. We encourage students and families to share their culture and traditions with us. Individual differences will be presented as positive learning experiences for all.
Viewing videos, DVDs or television is not a normal part of the curriculum at Once Upon a Time. However, there may be days or instances where staff finds the curriculum or a special day or program might require the use of a video, DVD, or television program. Children will be supervised while watching the programming and only “G” rated movies will be shown. Programming such as educational videos or educational television (i.e., Sesame Street) may be viewed. Teachers will keep parents informed of such programming activities. Alternative activities will be available for children that do not want to watch the program.
Daily schedules vary between classrooms. Please see the “Typical Daily Schedule” section for more information.
Verona Pre-K Program
What is the Size of a Verona Pre-K Classroom?
Each Verona Pre-K classroom will have no more than 24 children. There will be two (2) teachers in each classroom. If enrollment does not support two teachers, the ratio will be 1:12 in the classroom.
Curriculum
Once Upon a Time utilizes the Creative Curriculum (teachingstrategies.com). The Verona Pre-K program will be using the same curriculum. There is some information in this packet for you on the curriculum. It is play-based focusing on the developmental stages of preschool children utilizing interest areas to teach skills and content. Literacy, math, science, music, movement, art, and self-help skills are just a few of the interest areas covered each day. The Verona School District will be providing each center with designated benchmarks and standards which we must meet in our Verona Pre-K programming.
Staff
Once Upon a Time Verona Pre-K teachers will be DPI certified in Early Childhood. Each teacher will have an assistant teacher who will have experience and education in the Early Childhood field.
Parents
Once Upon a Time invites parents to be a very big part of our school community. We have been blessed with wonderful families that volunteer in classrooms, on field trips, provide donations, share family traditions, etc. We hope the Verona Pre-K families will join in this wonderful tradition. You are always welcome!!
Additional Curriculum Areas:
Art:
Art will be a part of every classroom curriculum. Students will self-select art activities as well as participate in large and small group art activities. In addition to classroom art instruction, each classroom (infant – preschool) will have an enhanced art segment taught by our in-house Art Teacher.
Music:
Music will be a part of every classroom curriculum. Teachers will lead children in singing songs, writing songs, listening to music, playing instruments, studying various musicians, and more. In addition to classroom music instruction, each classroom (infant – preschool) will have an enhanced music segment taught by a contracted Music Educator throughout the year.
Science/Environment:
Science and the study of the environment will be a part of every classroom curriculum. Teachers will lead students in the study of plants, animals, the earth, health, and more. Students will have the opportunity to self-select activities and engineer their own science activities. In the summer months, the 2-year old, 3- year old, 4/5 year old and School-age classrooms will plant, maintain and harvest their own classroom gardens. This will be a very enriching and fun experience for all. In addition, preschool classrooms will spend time on environmental studies focusing on science, health, the environment, and sustainable living.
Sign Language:
In an effort to give infants and toddlers a way to communicate with each other and adults; and, to give them a way to express their feelings, Infant and Toddler teachers will introduce and use sign language in the classrooms. Parents will be given information on the signs to continue the communication at home.
Physical Fitness:
In addition to classroom large motor skills and playground activities, children will participate in yoga exercises in order to develop a positive sense of self, soothing and calming skills, teamwork and to encourage life-long exercise for better health. We also offer an off-site gymnastics program throughout the school year.
Contact Our Childcare Center Today
Once Upon a Time Childcare Center in Verona, WI, can be reached at 608-845-2367.