Welcome to TAISM’s Early Childhood Development Center!

(for children ages 3 to 4)  

TAISM’s early childhood program provides caring teachers, enriching experiences and a spacious learning environment for three and four-year-old children. Timings are from 8:30 am -12:30 pm Saturday through Wednesday from the end of August through early June.

TAISM’s Early Childhood Development Center promotes the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) standards of developmentally appropriate practice as the framework for its program. These standards reflect current knowledge and widely shared beliefs about what constitutes high quality early childhood education. (For additional information, see the NAEYC website at www.naeyc.org). Children at TAISM spend the day involved in a variety of structured and play-based learning activities that support children’s growth and development. Activities vary for three and four-year-olds, to address age-appropriate skills. The shaded Early Childhood playground is adjacent to the classroom and equipped with climbing structures, swings, a sand box, and tricycles. Swimming instruction is provided in the Fall and Spring. Library and gym time are weekly events. Music and art are integrated throughout daily classroom experiences.

Curriculum:

Age-appropriate skills for language arts, math, science, technology, library/media, and motor development are identified in the curriculum. While these serve as guidelines for instruction, teachers take care to provide developmentally appropriate learning experiences. In other words, activities are planned to match each child’s individual learning style, preference, and pace. Learning tasks are presented through a thematic approach. Themes are adjusted in response to the children’s interests and needs. Students are encouraged to think independently and make decisions regarding their own learning.

Class Size and Staffing: TAISM helps personalize instruction by limiting class size. We strive to maintain a low student to teacher ration of 7:1. Qualified, caring staff members, experienced in implementing developmentally appropriate learning activities, are employed. Currently, the program is staffed by one lead teacher and two assistants.
	Admission Requirements: To be eligible for admission, children must turn three or four years old by October 31. They are required to be toilet trained. Students entering the classroom after the end of the second trimester should have previous school experience in a similar program. Therefore, decisions regarding admissions beyond the second trimester will be on a case-by-case basis.