ABOUT US
What Makes Us the Right Choice?
Our program is based on documented clinical classroom and laboratory research regarding how young children learn. We provide the foundation that must be in place in order to maximize development in the socio-emotional, language, cognitive, physical and aesthetic areas of learning. Despite the current pressures to make preschools more academic, we firmly believe that such programs are inappropriate and do a disservice to the young child. They do not constitute sound practice in early childhood education as defined in the Position Statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC. 1986.):
How young children learn should determine how teachers of young children teach. The degree to which both teaching strategies and the curriculum are developmentally appropriate is a major determinant of program quality.
We take pride in being recognized by NAEYC as demonstrating developmentally appropriate practice and as having a high quality program, deserving of their accreditation status. A copy of the criteria required to obtain this can be gotten from the NAEYC website at www.naeyc.org.
According to Dr. David Elkind, NAEYC past president and professor of Child Development at Tufts (Elkind, David. Preschool Academics: Learning What Comes Naturally. Exchange Magazine. November/December 2007.):
Through playful activities, young children acquire the prerequisite concepts for the attainment of the tool skills of reading and math. However well intended, when we substitute instruction for spontaneous play in early childhood, we hinder rather than help the attainment of these concepts. Accordingly, play in early childhood education is neither a waste of time nor a luxury. Rather, play is a fundamental mode of learning that ensures the best preparation for benefiting from later academic instruction.
- As NAEYC accredited for the third time in our 22-year history, we continue to surpass all state guidelines regarding teacher child ratios, staff training and teaching credentials, etc. For example, the state requires that one person on site be certified in CPR and First Aid. We require that our entire staff obtain this certification. We've been recognized by NAEYC for our commitment to reaching the highest professional standards. Four of our staff members have masters' degrees.
- Staff turnover is not an issue for us, as it is at other centers. We continue to attract and keep faculty for many years. Most staff members have been with us for over 10 years each. Several teachers have been with us between 18 and 20 years each.
- As part of their preschool through grade three certification program, William Paterson University requires that students observe a “quality early childhood classroom”. Their early childhood faculty has identified our program as “a good example” of what they term “best practice”. This has enabled us to have student teachers from the University work in our school. We have also worked with students from Drew University and County College of Morris.
- We were consulted back in 1995 in assisting Lekha Keister, Project Manager of the George Foundation. This was for help in developing the curriculum for Shanti Bhavan in Bangalore, India, a residential school for the poorest children, established and funded by her brother, Abraham George. We feel privileged to have been selected by the George Foundation as a school worthy to visit and consult with, and to have been involved in such a wonderful mission.
- We accept all families including those requiring significant financial assistance in order to attend. The Lil Ashton Scholarship Fund provides the tuition support needed.
- Each year one or two of our teachers attend the annual NAEYC convention, the largest meeting of early childhood educators and professionals in the nation. They network with colleagues and attend four days of workshops on the latest research in the field of early childhood education.
- We provide parents with choice regarding participation in our independent enrichment programs. As each child is unique, we feel his or her involvement in these programs should be based on the parent's decision and the child's interest. We firmly believe in presenting options, not in the over programming of children.
- We are sensitive to children with severe allergies and asthma. We have been trained in the use of nebulizers and inhalers. As a nut-free school, products containing nuts or even traces of nuts are not allowed on the premises. As a result of our strict enforcement of this policy, we have had allergic children transfer to our school after enrolling in programs that handled the issue of allergies too casually for the parents' comfort level.
- Our staff has also received recognition over the years:
- The director was the recipient of the 1998 NJAEYC Member Recognition Award and was nominated in 2004 for the Mariel Furlong Award for Making a Difference, an award established by the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.
- One of our teachers contributed to The Giant Encyclopedia of Science Activities (1998, 1999, 2000) and The Giant Encyclopedia of Art and Craft Activities (2000), both published by Gryphon House, Inc.
- The assistant director received the first Caregiver Recognition Award in 1991 by Children's Services of Morris County, now known as Child and Family Resources.
A high percentage of the children of our staff members who attended Scribbles went on to excel in high school, achieving high academic honors, graduating after successfully completing advanced placement courses and gaining admission to competitive universities. This was after establishing a strong foundation in preschool for a love of learning, not a rote memorization of numbers and letters and facts.
Visit us and find out how we can make a difference in the life of your child.
See also www.rightchoiceforkids.org.