Bug Garden (18-30 months)

LEAD TEACHER, MELISSA LOPER

Ms. Melissa earned a B.A. in Theater and has 31 college hours in Early Childhood Education. She has worked with children since 1998, has five years experience working in Early Childhood and she joined our team in 2009. She works full time from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is CPR and First Aid certified.

ASSISTANT TEACHER, LAURA SCUPHAM

Ms. Laura has worked with children since 2004 and joined our team in 2008. She was previously the Assistant Teacher in the Ladybug classroom. Laura works full time from 8:15 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. and is CPR and First Aid certified.

ENVIRONMENT

• An energetic, language-rich class where children's individual personalities and needs are nurtured.
• Teachers respect toddlers' solitary and parallel play. Toys are plentiful with more than one of the same thing.
• Teachers model taking turns and playing with the children
• The small class size allows the teachers to meet the children's individual needs
• This classroom is licensed for up to ten children
• Children have three hours of free play per day to explore
• The environment is changed to support the lesson plans. Materials are kept on low, open shelves for the children to have easy access to them.

CURRICULUM

• Lesson plans consist of activities in social emotional growth, motor skill development, acquisition of language, cognitive development and Christianity
• Activities are planned using individual time, small groups, large groups, and music and movement
• Teachers read to children in group and individual settings

PARENT INVOLVEMENT

• Teachers encourage and welcome parent participation and involvement