Curriculum

1. To help each child to develop a sense of their own worth and dignity as human beings.
2. To help each child learn to get along with other people and to develop a respect for the rights of others.
3. To encourage each child to wonder - to develop a spirit of inquiry and ask questions about the world around them.
4. To help each child increase their power to communicate their thoughts and feelings through promotion of language development.
5. To help each child develop a sense of independence by encouraging them to explore and learn on their own and to express and share their ideas and observations with others.
6. To help each child to grow in physical development and coordination through challenging motor activities.
7. To involve parents as much as possible and encourage them to take a positive interest in the progress of their children.
8. To foster positive relationships between the children, parents and Center. To convey to parents that we are genuinely concerned about them and their children and are interested in working in partnership with families for the best outcome for the children.

CURRICULUM

The various programs offered at Rockville Day Care incorporate all the basic areas of learning into the curriculum. The curriculum offered to both preschool and school age children is designed to foster social, emotional, physical, artistic and intellectual development through play and exploration. Children are encouraged to learn at their own pace in an atmosphere that is relaxed and nurturing. The important result is the development of a positive attitude toward learning and an enthusiasm for it.

Rockville Day Care has developed a written curriculum guide for Pre School and School Age programs. The guide is a useful tool for our program staff in planning their classroom’s lessons. Lesson plans are written weekly and posted in the classroom for parent information and reference. In addition to this resource, RDCA employs Program Coordinators who visit each classroom on a periodic basis. They serve as a resource to Directors, and the classroom teaching staff, to ensure that the program meets our objectives, to assist with classroom management techniques, help provide ideas for room arrangement and to observe interactions between staff, parents and children. Parents are encouraged to review the curriculum. Suggestions or ideas from parents are always welcome.

The variety of activities provided in our programs help to promote growth in these areas of development. Children may choose to participate in creative dramatics, block building, arts and crafts, stories and finger plays, music and movement activities, sand and water play, science and nature activities, manipulative and small motor activities, basic math concepts, reading readiness, outdoor recreational activities, community awareness and field trips.

Each day is balanced with opportunities for individual exploration with materials and equipment available in the classroom (generally referred to as “Free Play” at “Activity Centers”), and teacher directed small group and large group activities that reinforce weekly themes and promote cognitive skills. Children are also guided to develop appropriate social skills and problem solving techniques.

The actual daily routine, schedule and lesson plans are available for parent review in each classroom. Please check the “Parent Information” area in your classroom for more details. The daily schedule will vary from program to program and is dependent on the age of the children in the group, the needs and interests of the class, the incorporation of swimming, field trips and special events into the daily routine, planned meals, rest periods, outdoor play, etc.

Schedules are developed by each classroom teacher. The teachers observe the needs and interests of the group and adjust their schedules accordingly.