Alderwood House Programmes

Our curriculum, inspired by the Reggio philosophy, has been created to challenge students by teaching traditional areas of study, encouraging further education through projects and inquiry, and providing an unmatched fine arts programme designed to nurture creativity and personal expression.

While we use some Montessori materials, and some teachings and techniques from other programs such as Waldorf and Tools and the Mind, our philosophy is a Reggio based philosophy. We acknowledge that any philosophy has influences from others - for example, the Reggio philosophy recognizes the influence of Howard Gardner, John Dewey and Maria Montessori - but despite influences, each philosophy is a unique one. The Reggio school of thought guides our teacher decisions around programming, materials, classroom structure and image of the child.

Our materials are as beautiful as our campus - natural materials rather than plastic; Waldorf storytelling materials and home corner items, Montessori materials brought from Italy to support literacy, mathematics and geography; and plenty of natural and recycled art materials for day-to-day art exploration, as well as high quality artist tools and materials for special works. A simple and organized classroom layout supports a rotation of materials (so that children, rather than becoming overwhelmed with the amount of materials or bored with a material, can re-discover it with joy throughout the school year as it is rotated in and out of circulation). Often materials offered become richer and more complex throughout the year; as children become familiar with one material, teachers will add on additional materials, allowing for possible new combinations and subsequent learning.

Our program has full time, part time and extended day options: Full time programs run Monday - Friday, 7:30 - 5:30. part time programs run Monday - Friday, 7:30 - 12:00 and extended day runs 7:30 - 2:15.

Our school has two classrooms, and two classes that reside in each classroom.

"Little" Classroom
Our Little Classroom is home to our One's and Two's. During exploration times, children are free to work is mixed age groups and during group times, children meet in age-specific groups. We begin accepting children as young as 12 months, however, we do assess children for readiness - specifically walking, eating solids, and on one nap a day.

"Big" Classroom
Our "Big" classroom is home to our Three's and Four's. Like our younger classroom, children are free to work in mixed-age groups during exploration times; during group times children work in age-specific groupings. Children are not required to be potty trained to enter this classroom, although it is preferred. Speaking or understanding English is not a requirement to enter this classroom, however the class is taught in English. Many of our teachers speak other languages to help support non-English-speaking children; however, we find that most children begin speaking and understanding English in the classroom within the first 3 months of school.

Teachers look for the following skills to assess "big" classroom readiness:

- ability to sit for a circle time (30 - 45 minutes)

- ability to separate from parents and join the class independently

- ability to participate in circle time

- ability to work with other children and independently for short periods of time

- ability to hold a pencil

- ability to recognize and name some letters

- ability to recognize emotions in self and others (mad, sad, happy)

- ability to begin independent problem solving

- ability to ask teachers for help when needed, verbally or non-verbally (help toileting, help dressing, etc.)

While not all children join our Big class begin attendance "classroom ready" (all children from our two year old class will graduate to our three year old class in September) the majority of children beginning to attend programs in this classroom are "classroom ready".

If your child is not classroom ready but is admitted into our Big classroom, teachers will focus on developing these skills with your child before focusing on other academic and social areas.