Our Program
Class time: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Class size: 12 maximum
We offer one multi-age group for 3-5 year olds. Children must be 3 years old by September 30, of the year in which they are registering. There are benefits associated with a multi-age grouping of children. The younger children model the academic and social behaviors of the older children and are more motivated to learn. The older students “teach” the younger ones and reinforce their own skills at the same time. They gain leadership skills and increased self confidence. A spirit of cooperation, instead of competition, is fostered. Furthermore, the relationships between student and teacher, as well as parent and teacher, are strengthened by working together for more than one year.

Curriculum

Our curriculum is planned on a three year rotation. This means children who are enrolled for three years at our school have the opportunity to explore new topics each year. Each week a new area of study is introduced. Social Studies units include: Africa, Japan, Mexico, Castles, Pilgrims, Native Americans, and Chinese New Year. Science units include: Space, Magnets, Solid/Liquid/Gas, Insects, Dinosaurs, Hibernation/Migration, Birds, Volcanoes and Ponds. Language Arts units include: Leo Lionni, Tomie DePaolo, Lois Ehlert, Mercer Mayer, Eric Carle and Nursery Rhymes. Within each unit, the core skills of letter recognition, counting, and shape and color identification are reinforced. We are a classroom of active learners and we learn through play, not worksheets. Recommendations of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) are followed.

Daily Schedule

Opening activity – We begin our day with an activity at the table. This might involve drawing; working puzzles; playing a board game; cutting and pasting; working with clay, play dough, or shaving cream; writing; creating patterns; doing experiments; etc.

Circle time – This is the time to practice the skills needed for group interaction. We learn taking turns and raising hands. We take attendance, check the helper chart (the children get so excited to have classroom jobs and to learn new responsibilities), and count attendance blocks. Communication skills are enhanced through reading, writing, and telling of new ideas.

Discovery time – The children choose their activities at this time. Some activities are available all the time, while others change daily. Activities may include art projects, games, blocks, housekeeping corner, dress up, toys, sand table, or experiments. Children learn more when they initiate the process.

Story time and dismissal.

Our Teacher – Mary Leeson

I have been teaching at Creative Cooperative Preschool since 1995, and became Administrator in 2008. I love this age group! The children are full of energy and enthusiasm and are eager to learn. I am blessed that my work is also my passion. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education, with dual majors in Elementary and Special Education. I have two grown daughters and in my spare time, I enjoy backpacking, gardening, and cooking.

Field Trips

We take two or more field trips per year. Parents drive and attend with their own children or arrange car pools. Some, but not all, locations allow younger siblings to join us. In the past years we’ve gone to the Rainforest at the Cleveland Zoo, preschool programs sponsored by the National Park System, pumpkin farms, Lake Farmpark, London Chocolate Factory, the Akron Art Museum, Stow Kent Airport, and Great Harvest Bakery. Suggestions for new field trip locations are always welcome.

Special Programs

We have an evening Christmas performance in mid December. The children sing songs for family and friends, and then we gather in the fellowship hall for refreshments and holiday cheer. The Christmas program is certainly one of the highlights of the year.

During the winter months there is a sled day. Children are invited to bring sleds to school and we share and take turns riding down the hill behind the school. Typically we end up with a snowman or two, and children warming up with hot cocoa after their time outdoors.

In the spring, we hold a bike day. Everyone brings a bike and helmet to school, and we enjoy riding in the back parking lot, where there is no other traffic.

At the end of the year we hold a graduation picnic at a local park—children and families both enjoy this wonderful day, complete with a graduation ceremony and time to enjoy the playground with preschool friends.

Discipline

Children are given clear expectations for their behavior. Rules are constantly reviewed and children who are following the rules are praised. Some children need additional reminders about their behavior. A quiet comment may suffice or simply touching his/her shoulder may be all that’s needed. The final measure would be removing the child from the activity, a “time out”. Corporal punishment is never used.