Entering an early childhood program is a developmental milestone that sets the stage for the next phase of a child’s educational journey.  It is the first time your child will see themselves outside the context of their home environment.  It brings a wide variety of new people into their life. Their world is getting bigger and their ideas get bigger too.  It is our job at Open Door to help challenge a child’s curiosity and desire to experiment and discover.  We believe that childhood is a time of innocence and discovery that needs to be protected and unfold at a gradual pace. 

The focus of our program is to recognize the uniqueness of every child and their desire to learn.  A child must feel safe and secure before he is willing to trust and take risks. He must feel nurtured and secure before he is willing to leave his parent’s side, and most importantly, he needs to feel respected for the person he is. We do not overpower parents into leaving a crying child and separate or give the message to a child that their parent is not in control.   The separation process is done in a gentle, gradual and mutually respectful way for both parent and child. That is what Open Door is all about.

One of the most important aspects of the Open Door early childhood program is the wonderful teacher/ student ratio. The small class size with three dedicated experienced early childhood teachers insure that every child receives the attention that she deserves.  It is so satisfying as professionals to know that we are working at a program that validates the importance of good early childhood education and provides us with the time and space to do what is right for a child and family. 

Our deep appreciation for children is at the heart and soul of our Center. We know that children engaging in challenging and meaningful activities that are relevant to their world; learning to take turns, and reach developmental milestones when they are confident and ready at a pace that is uniquely their own, is how children feel safe and secure to learn.  We look at the whole child and address their social, physical, intellectual, creative and emotional needs, taking into account the special qualities of each individual family.

Children are encouraged to try new experiences, but we support their right to decline. The child has many opportunities to reconsider and for example, “plant a seed at another time.” The classroom environment is carefully planned to guide a child’s exploration.  Our teachers allow a child’s curiosity to take precedence over lesson plans.  The children are offered a variety of choices during free playtime.  Learning to make a decision is a skill that develops a child’s sense of self, separate from the adult.   Children learn at their own pace. A child  who is not interested in a teacher planned  activity may be diligently working at the sand table, pouring, scooping and funneling sand or building with blocks or interacting socially with another child. Each child is respected for how and when they are ready to learn.  It is not the finished product that is important.  We emphasize the experience of working with the materials, making choices, interacting with others and learning through the process of creating and discovering.   

Group time is another avenue for the children to express their individuality.  We take our cues from the children and follow their lead; encouraging their confidence to use new language skills to express their thoughts and share experiences. Questions are always posed as open-ended with many answers possible and every answer or contribution is a valid one. Children soon are ready to speak in the group and learn to feel the confidence to be a contributor. 

Play is serious business for young children. Having the opportunity to play openly and engage in spontaneous self-directed play is vital part of healthy emotional and cognitive development.  Finding joy in learning and developing positive attitudes about one’s abilities is the corner stone of the Open Door philosophy.