Classroom Information

• Our Approach to Curriculum
• Parent Communication and Involvement
• Progress Reports / Parent Teacher Conferences
• Family-School Partnership
• Managing Children’s Behavior
• What to Bring Each Day
• Snacks and Meals
• Rest Time
• Toilet Training
• Toys from Home
• Celebrations - Birthdays, Holidays
• Transportation
• Field Trips

Our Approach to Curriculum

Thinking, discovering, and creating … young children are active, enthusiastic, multi-sensory learners who are capable of expressing their feelings, needs, and ideas in many ways. They enjoy being challenged and are proud of their accomplishments.

At the UMass Boston Early Learning Center, we utilize a developmentally appropriate, language-based approach to learning, using children’s literature as the foundation for developing curriculum. Teachers choose books that have sparked the children’s interest and then build their curriculum around topics and ideas which emerge from those stories, incorporating the interests and experiences of children in their group. Depending upon the focus book chosen, a concept or theme may be investigated for three weeks or even three months. Children and teachers work together to document and record the learning that takes place and reflect that learning in such ways as curriculum webs, classroom books, props for dramatic play, group projects, and classroom displays.

Each classroom is an active, hands-on learning environment that gives children the opportunity to become self-directed learners, making choices and decisions based on their interests. Classrooms are organized into learning centers, each of which is filled with inviting equipment and materials that encourage children to experiment with new concepts and skills, or practice skills they have already mastered. Teachers carefully select materials for each area and plan activities to extend the concepts that are presented in the curriculum. Visual cues such as pictures, colors, labels, and symbols remind children how to utilize the classroom environment and materials appropriately.

Parent Communication and Involvement

Parent involvement is an essential component of a quality early learning program. Parents are encouraged to visit and are welcome to join in program activities at any time. Ongoing daily communication with your child’s teachers is very important and allows us to provide the best possible care for your child. Parents may also speak with their child’s teacher by phone at any time throughout the day by calling the program’s main number, (617) 287-6195. In addition, there are several formal events, parent/teacher workshops, and other activities planned throughout the year to encourage parent participation. We also have a new Parent Advocacy Center filled with information on community resources, as well as parenting and child development issues.

Progress Reports / Parent Teacher Conferences

Teachers carefully observe each child’s developmental progress, keeping notes, photographs and samples of each child’s work in a portfolio. With this information, individualized written progress reports are prepared every six months, or every three months for children with identified special needs. Parents and teachers can then meet to review the child’s progress and to establish specific goals to further the child’s growth and development. These meetings will take place, as scheduled, in January and June. Any significant concerns about a child’s development will be shared with parents as they arise.

In addition to routinely scheduled conferences, teachers can always arrange a time for individual conferences at a parent’s request, with reasonable notice.

Family-School Partnership

The center has an active Family-School Partnership, made up of elected representatives from each classroom. The function of the board is to provide input into program policies and activities. The board also takes an active role in fundraising for program enrichment activities and family social events. The group meets once a month, on the second Wednesday of each month, with the Director and a staff representative to discuss issues relevant to the center. The meetings are open to all parents. Dinner and child care are always provided. Minutes of these meetings are circulated to all parents. Parents who cannot attend are encouraged to call their room representative.

Elections to the Family-School Partnership are held at the November meeting. All parents are invited to stand for election to a position on the board.

Managing Children’s Behavior

Guidance and discipline should always be developmentally appropriate and based on an understanding of the individual needs of each child. Our goal is to enhance and reinforce the healthy growth and development of each child while maintaining a protective environment for everyone in the group. Children who are treated with fair and consistent limits tend to be cooperative. As they grow, children learn to express their feelings and needs in more appropriate ways. Positive and clear expectations, individual attention and acknowledgement of positive behaviors work wonders.

There are, of course, times when conflicts will arise. Whenever possible, children are encouraged to resolve conflicts and identify appropriate solutions for themselves. Our teachers will recognize when intervention is needed and will redirect the children involved to another activity. In doing so, the teacher will discuss the behavior with the children and restate the desired behavior. In order to help children gain a better understanding of the desired behavior, the consequences of the inappropriate behavior will always be directly related to the actions of the child (i.e. putting away materials that have been misused or repairing a book that was intentionally torn).

When redirection is ineffective, or when the difficult behavior is extreme or puts any child or teacher at risk, teachers may ask the Director for assistance. Although it is important to allow children to express their anger in effective ways, keeping everyone safe is the first priority. Occasionally, a brief, supervised visit away from the group can help a child to regain control. In order to be effective however, it is essential that our teachers remain calm. These interventions will never be overused or used in a shaming or punitive way.

This philosophy is consistent for children of all ages. Specific interventions are adjusted to match the developmental readiness of the children. When appropriate and feasible, children will participate in the establishment of classroom rules, policies, and procedures.

Specific actions that are strictly prohibited include:

• Spanking and all other forms of corporal punishment are never allowed.
• No child will be subjected to severe punishment, such as humiliation, verbal or physical abuse, neglect or abusive treatment.
• Food will not be denied as a form of punishment or behavior control.
• Children will not be force-fed.
• Children are not punished for not using a toilet, for toileting accidents, or for wetting or soiling clothing.
• Children will not be forced to remain in soiled clothing or forced to remain on the toilet for an unreasonable amount of time.

What to Bring Each Day

A limited amount of personal storage space is available for each child. Please be sure that all items sent to school are clearly labeled with your child’s name. The items listed below should be brought to school and should remain in your child’s classroom cubby. It is your responsibility to check these items regularly to insure that your child has all of them.

Blankets, sheets, and pillowcases must be taken home each Friday, washed and returned to the center on Monday.

Inside, your child will need:

• a weekly supply of diapers and wipes (if your child is not yet toilet trained)
• a complete change of clothing including underwear, socks, pants and shirt
• a small blanket, a crib-size sheet and (optional) travel-size pillow

Outside, your child will need:

Winter

• hat
• a pair of mittens/glovessnow pants
• boots
• a heavy jacket

Summer

• shoes (for safety reasons, no open-toed shoes or sandals are permitted)
• a swimsuit
• a towel
• a sun hat (optional)
• a pair of swim shoes to keep feet safe

Snacks and Meals

An outside caterer provides the program with breakfast, lunch, and an afternoon snack. Menus are posted weekly on the parent information board in the front entry. Meals are served family style. All children will be allowed to eat at a leisurely pace. Children will be assisted and encouraged to eat as needed, but will never be forced to eat. Parents may provide a substitute lunch if necessary. Gum, candy, or other sweets should not be brought to school.

Special dietary requirements and restrictions will be accommodated. Please communicate with your child’s teacher regarding these needs. A list of all allergies and food restrictions will be posted in each classroom.

Rest Time

Because children in our program are very busy and active all day, a rest period is required for any child who spends the day with us. This generally occurs in the early part of the afternoon, following lunch. Older children who are no longer napping may be asked to sit quietly and read a book or may help other children to relax by rubbing backs or telling stories. No child will be forced to sleep or be expected to rest for an inappropriate amount of time.

All children use mats and may bring a small blanket, crib-sized sheet, and small pillow from home. Mats and bedding are stored in the child’s classroom cubby. All bedding must be taken home each week to be washed. Mats will be cleaned and disinfected weekly.

Toilet Training

Toilet training is done in accordance with the requests of the child’s parent(s) and in a manner that is consistent with the child’s physical and emotional abilities. Toilet training will never be coerced. All children will be allowed to use the bathroom as often as needed. Children will be supervised during toileting but allowed as much privacy as is appropriate. No child will be punished for soiling or wetting clothing. Children who are learning to be self-sufficient in the bathroom will have an easier time if they wear clothing that they can pull off and on by themselves.

Toys from Home

Although a small “snuggly” for naptime is welcome, we generally do not allow children to bring toys from home. Please keep in mind that children’s personal storage is limited. Teachers may help children to be careful with their belongings, but they cannot be responsible for loss or damage.

Some children need to bring a toy or other small item from home to help with the transition to the program. These toys will be sent home with the parent or placed in the child’s cubby after a five-minute period. Check with your child’s teacher to see if there is a designated “Show and Tell” day when personal items can be brought to school.

Please do not allow your child to bring money in any form as it poses a serious choking hazard. Toy guns, water pistols, knives, swords, or other toy weapons are never allowed at the center.

Celebrations

Birthdays

If you wish to supply a special snack to share with the class to celebrate your child’s birthday, please let your child’s teacher know in advance. Healthy snacks are always preferred. Please do not bring toys or party favors. If you have objections to this practice for personal or religious reasons please consult the center Director.

Holidays

The children in our care represent many different religious and ethnic groups. The folklore and traditions of each are an important part of our collective culture. We do not emphasize religious themes or one particular tradition. Instead, our curriculum plans incorporate the interests and experiences of the children in the group and focus on meaningful, child-centered activities and celebrations. We will often choose universal themes such as families, sharing, giving, and caring. We may choose to celebrate an important milestone, such as the first snow or the transition of one of our friends to a new classroom or program.

Parents are encouraged to visit the classroom to share their own family traditions, home culture and customs with other children at any time during the year. Please let your child’s teacher know if you’d like to schedule time to visit the classroom to share a favorite story in your home language, prepare a special snack with the group, or simply teach the children a few simple words or songs. We want all of our children to feel welcome and valued.

Transportation

The program does not provide transportation. We are located in the Community Center Building of the Harbor Point Housing Development, within walking distance of the UMass/JFK stop on the MBTA Red Line and within a short distance of the UMass Boston Campus. The #2 shuttle bus will stop in front of the center if you present a UMass Boston ID.

Field Trips

Field trips are planned throughout the year to enhance your child’s learning experience. Upon enrollment, parents are asked to sign a general consent for walking field trips around the neighborhood or to the UMass Boston campus. Additional consent will be obtained from parents for any field trip, outside of the general area.

If convenient, preschool groups may use public transportation. For larger group trips, or destinations which cannot be easily reached, transportation will be provided by an independent bus service company. A staff member will accompany the children at all times whenever they are being transported. Parents, or other family members, are welcome and encouraged to join us on any trip. Our ratios for field trips will be 4 children per adult for preschool and kindergarten classrooms and 2 children per adult for toddlers.

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