At Ark Valley Preschool, we believe in fostering a collaborative and supportive relationship between our school, families, and external partners to ensure every child's success and well-being. Through ongoing communication, engaging events, and meaningful partnerships, we create a strong, inclusive community.

Our approach includes:

• Daily communication via the BrightWheel app to keep parents informed about their child's activities and progress.

• Weekly newsletters and regular updates to engage families in their child’s learning journey.

• Parent-teacher conferences to discuss developmental milestones and share insights from our assessments.

• Collaborations with community partners to provide additional resources and support for families.

• Special events like Arcade Night, Trick-or-Trunk, and Hap-Pie Day to celebrate and strengthen our preschool community.

We also offer a monthly email series, "Growing Together: Parenting Strategies," featuring expert tips and advice to support your parenting journey. Continuous feedback from families is welcomed, allowing us to grow and adapt to meet your needs.

Our Classroom Environment: The Third Teacher

At Ark Valley Preschool, we believe that the classroom environment plays a vital role in a child’s learning and development, often referred to as the third teacher. Our thoughtfully designed spaces are carefully crafted to inspire exploration, creativity, and independent learning.

We use natural materials, calming colors, and soft lighting to create a warm and inviting atmosphere that promotes a sense of security and focus. The environment encourages children to engage with their surroundings, whether it’s through hands-on activities, nature exploration, or quiet moments in cozy corners.

Our classrooms are not just places for instruction; they are active participants in the learning process, fostering curiosity and encouraging children to collaborate, experiment, and grow.

At Ark Valley Preschool, our curriculum is designed to nurture each child’s creativity, curiosity, and social-emotional growth through a rich blend of engaging, play-based learning experiences. We integrate the arts, storytelling, multi-sensory teaching, and daily nature exploration to foster a love for learning while supporting cognitive, physical, and emotional development.

Our approach is child-centered, allowing children to explore their interests, build problem-solving skills, and develop independence in a structured, supportive environment. With activities like yoga, music, and imaginative play, we create opportunities for children to grow in mind and body.

We also value the role of family in our curriculum and encourage active participation through communication, community events, and collaborative partnerships. Through this holistic approach, we aim to help every child thrive and develop a lifelong love of learning.

At Ark Valley Preschool, we believe that the way we communicate with children plays a crucial role in their social, emotional, and cognitive development. Our teachers are dedicated to using respectful, positive, and developmentally appropriate language in all interactions with children.

We focus on creating a nurturing environment where every child feels heard, valued, and supported. By modeling kind communication, active listening, and positive reinforcement, our teachers help children build self-confidence, independence, and strong social skills. Through gentle guidance and empathetic communication, we encourage children to express themselves, solve problems, and navigate their emotions in healthy and constructive ways.

At Ark Valley, we are committed to fostering a community of respect and care, where every interaction helps children grow and thrive.

At Ark Valley Preschool, we use the BRIGANCE Early Childhood Assessment alongside other tools to observe and document each child’s progress across key developmental areas, including cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language skills. The BRIGANCE system helps us identify individual strengths and areas where additional support may be needed, ensuring we can create personalized learning plans for every child.

Our assessments are conducted in a supportive and child-friendly environment, with results shared with families during parent-teacher conferences. We believe in partnering with parents to help each child reach their full potential through intentional and ongoing developmental assessment.

At Ark Valley Preschool, our approach to discipline and boundary setting is rooted in respect, understanding, and support for each child’s emotional development. We create a nurturing environment where children are encouraged to explore, learn, and develop positive social skills, all while building their self-esteem and confidence.

Our guidance principles include:

• Respectful Environment: We provide a safe space where children can explore boundaries and build relationships while learning appropriate behavior.

• Child Development Awareness: We recognize that behaviors often stem from curiosity and emotional growth. Our role is to guide children’s exploration positively and constructively.

• Positive Language: We use affirming language to reinforce desired behaviors, helping children understand group expectations and build self-regulation skills.

• Natural Consequences: Children are guided to understand the natural outcomes of their actions, encouraging them to make connections between behavior and impact on others.

• Conflict Resolution: We teach children to resolve conflicts respectfully, fostering empathy, communication, and cooperative problem-solving.

By emphasizing positive communication, self-control, and respectful conflict resolution, we help children navigate social interactions and personal boundaries in a constructive and developmentally appropriate way.

At Ark Valley Preschool, we are committed to creating an inclusive, respectful, and bias-free learning environment. We aim to ensure that every child feels valued, understood, and supported in their growth and development.

Our anti-bias approach includes:

• Promoting Diversity: We integrate diverse cultures, perspectives, and experiences into our curriculum to foster appreciation and understanding of differences.

• Challenging Stereotypes: We actively address and correct stereotypes and prejudices, helping children develop respect for others.

• Inclusive Materials: Our books, toys, and classroom materials represent a wide range of cultures, abilities, and family structures.

• Staff Training: Our team undergoes regular training on anti-bias education and inclusive practices to ensure that all children receive equal attention and opportunities.

• Family Engagement: We collaborate with families to understand their cultural values and perspectives, involving them in the learning process.

By continuously assessing and improving our practices, we strive to provide a safe, equitable, and enriching environment for all children, fostering a sense of belonging and respect for others.

At Ark Valley Preschool, we believe in introducing children to new languages to enhance their communication skills and cultural understanding.

In our Toddler Classroom, we integrate basic sign language into daily routines, helping children express themselves with signs like “more,” “please,” and “thank you.” With visual aids and interactive activities, such as songs and stories, toddlers can engage with sign language in a fun and meaningful way. We also provide parents with resources to practice sign language at home.

In our Preschool Classroom, we expose children to Spanish through routine phrases, games, and cultural activities. By using common Spanish phrases during daily routines and incorporating language games, we familiarize children with the basics of Spanish in a playful, engaging environment. We also introduce children to Spanish-speaking cultures through stories, music, and celebrations.

By making language learning part of daily experiences, we encourage children to develop communication skills and appreciation for diverse cultures.

At Ark Valley Preschool, we integrate mindfulness into our daily routines to support children’s social-emotional growth and well-being. Mindfulness practices help children develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, and positive social interactions in a nurturing environment.

Our teachers dedicate time each day to mindfulness activities, using tools like puppets, books, and play-based learning to teach children how to manage emotions and interact kindly with others. We incorporate calming techniques such as deep breathing, grounding exercises, and storytelling to create a peaceful classroom atmosphere.

Through these mindful moments, children learn valuable skills like empathy, self-control, and resilience, fostering a strong sense of community and personal well-being.

At Ark Valley Preschool, we prioritize healthy eating habits and a balanced approach to nutrition. Our focus on intuitive eating encourages children to listen to their bodies, fostering a healthy relationship with food. We support hydration by keeping water bottles on hand throughout the day to promote regular water consumption.

Snacks: We provide two well-balanced snacks each day, using organic and fresh ingredients whenever possible. Our weekly snack menu is posted at the school and shared with parents to keep everyone informed. We minimize sugary treats and notify parents in advance of any special occasion treats.

Packed Lunches: Children bring their own packed lunches in a single container, and we encourage hearty, nutritious meals to fuel their active learning and play. We welcome open communication with parents regarding any food concerns or dietary needs.

By promoting healthy habits and intuitive eating, we aim to support every child’s well-being and growth.

At Ark Valley Preschool, nap time is a vital part of our daily routine, supporting the well-being and success of both children and staff. We understand the importance of rest and ensure that every child has a peaceful and comfortable environment during nap time.

Nap Time Schedule

• Timing: Nap time is from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM daily, offering children the chance to rest and recharge.

• Purpose: We believe that nap time enhances children's alertness, mood, memory, and overall well-being. It is an essential break in the day to help them thrive.

For Children Who Nap

• Rest and Comfort: We provide a quiet, soothing environment with soft music, dime lighting and cots, ensuring children can comfortably settle down for rest.

For Children Who Do Not Nap

• Quiet Time: For those who don’t nap, we offer a cot for a quiet space to relax or enjoy calm activities like reading. If a child falls asleep, we respect their need for rest and will not wake them.

For Teachers

• Teacher Breaks: Nap time provides our teachers with valuable time to send updates via BrightWheel, plan lessons, sanitize toys, and complete necessary tasks.

Our nap policy ensures a balanced, effective day for both children and staff, maintaining a consistent schedule to support everyone's needs.

At Ark Valley Preschool, we are committed to maintaining high standards of hygiene to support the health and well-being of every child. We incorporate essential hygiene practices like handwashing and toothbrushing into our daily routine, while partnering with the Cavity Free at Three program to promote good oral health.

• Handwashing: Upon arrival at school, children must wash their hands to ensure a clean start to the day. We also teach children to wash their hands thoroughly before meals, after outdoor play, and after using the bathroom. Fun songs and visual cues make handwashing a consistent and enjoyable habit.

• Brushing Teeth: As part of our commitment to oral health, we partner with the Cavity Free at Three program. Children brush their teeth daily at school, with guidance from teachers on proper brushing techniques. We provide toothbrushes and toothpaste to help promote lifelong dental hygiene habits.

By integrating these hygiene practices into our routine, we foster a clean and healthy environment, helping children build essential self-care skills.

At Ark Valley Preschool, we are committed to providing a nurturing and supportive environment for breastfeeding families. We offer a private, comfortable space for breastfeeding or pumping, as well as the option for mothers to breastfeed in the classroom if they prefer. Our goal is to make the transition back to work smoother while ensuring that breastfeeding can continue comfortably.

We provide refrigerator and freezer space for safely storing labeled breast milk and offer nutritious snacks and fluids for breastfeeding mothers. Our staff undergoes annual training on breastfeeding support to ensure we offer the best care and understanding for both mothers and babies.

At Ark Valley Preschool, we believe that breastfeeding is a personal choice, and we are here to support families in making the best feeding choices for their child.