Mission Statement

Learn & Play Center is a childcare center that accommodates children ages 5 through 12. We providechildcare from time to time, as well as before and after school care for school-age children. During this time of remote learning, we are providing homework help and guidance to school-age children and areremaining open to accommodate the children of parents/guardians who are working through the pandemic or have other obligations.

Choosing a childcare center is an important family decision, and we aim to make every child feel comfortable in our care. Our quality childcare setting ensures peace ofmind for parents or guardians working, attending school, or engaging in other commitments. Children spend many hours in childcare, so our goal is to make your child’s “home away from home” one that fosters growth and development. Our philosophy is that children must feel a sense of belonging when in the care of others; at Learn and Play, we make your child’s comfort and safety our priority.

We devote ourselves to maintaining an environment where self-esteem, love, learning, and respect for others are paramount. Our goal is for your child to leave each day feeling secure and loved, which will allow them to grow into an independent and confident person. When entering our program, you must fill out all the proper paperwork and we must have an immunization record for your child to start. Children will not be admitted to the program without all the necessary paperwork that is required by New York State Law and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services.

A child’s placement in the program depends solely upon his/her ability to function in the group. In the event that adjustment to the group is not successful, assessment by the Director, Educational Coordinator and/or Head Teacher with input from the parent may lead to the family finding a more appropriate placement, which reflects the needs of the child.

Health & Protection Practices

The safety and health of all those in our care is our main concern. During this time, all administrative
staff are staying up to date with the latest guidance via the Department of Health in order to ensure
optimal childcare. Our center follows all health and state licensing regulations in addition to Learn &
Play’s own health and safety practices:

• Restricting access of center visitors.

• Implementing face mask covering policy for all adults.

• Parents externally drop off and pick up children.

• Daily temperature checks for children, families, and staff.

• Strict policy on illness exclusion, including staying home if exhibiting any symptoms such as frequent cough, sneezing, fever, or difficulty breathing.

• Implementing Health & Safety Protocol as outlined by
the Department of Health and NYS Office of Children and Family Services.

• All staff is certified in CPR and First Aid.

• Directors are Certified Advanced Professionals of CPR and First Aid for Emergency Responders.

• Increased frequency of handwashing for both staff and children.

• Teaching coughing and sneezing etiquette for staff and children.

• Providing hand sanitizer.

Extended Learning in Science, Arts & Crafts, Math and much more!

Welcome to Learn & Play Center Inc., the perfect place for your little ones to enjoy fun and educational activities. Our award-winning daycare offers extended learning in Science, Arts & Crafts, Math, and much more, with experienced and passionate professionals to help your children grow and develop in a safe and nurturing environment.

Our Curriculum

At Learn & Play Center Inc, we believe that children learn best when they are actively engaged in their environment. Our curriculum is designed to give children the opportunity to explore, discover and create through hands on activities and play.

We understand that each child is unique and has their own individual needs, so we strive to create a safe and nurturing environment that allows children to develop and grow at their own pace. We provide a welcoming atmosphere for children of all ages and backgrounds, and take pride in helping each child reach their potential.

Education

Children learn best when they are deeply engrossed in play, rather than when they are required to sit and listen to teachers or do a lot of paper and pencil work. Whether they are infants, toddlers, or preschoolers, children learn best when they are actively involved in hands-on experiences with materials they can manipulate, and when these activities are valued more for the process than for an end product. While playing, children can experiment with objects, ideas, and fears. Since there is no right or wrong way to play (barring inappropriate conduct), they cannot fail, and therefore, they are free to take risks and be adventurous. Children develop at their own pace; we simply challenge that pace. Each program has goals that the curriculum is based on. Curriculums are created in hopes to develop a healthy, self-confident, collaborative, self-expressive, balanced, and independent child who possesses excellent communication and self-help skills. We also hope we can bring out the creativity, imagination, intelligence, physical skills and curiosity that each child has. Our learning is based upon a “Developmentally Appropriate” program responsive to the needs of individual children.

Our goal is to have a loving, secure, and educational environment where your child can explore their world and develop to their fullest potential. We present each learning experience with enthusiasm and encouragement. Each age group’s lesson plan is designed to promote social, physical, intellectual, creative, and emotional growth. Hands-on experiences will help each child achieve feelings of enthusiasm and self-confidence. Our goal is to develop the joy of learning in each individual child.

Our curriculums are based on the following areas throughout the week:

-Language Arts: Children’s receptive and expressive language is enhanced through the use of nursery rhymes, poetry, finger plays, experience charts, discussion, and children’s literature.

-Science: Through our science activities, children are encouraged to observe, explore, inquire, and solve problems. Experiencing the joy of discovery is priceless.

-Arts & Crafts: Art encourages creativity and self-expression through various tactile and sensory media. Art is a creative process that allows for choice, exploration, and imaginative expression. Arts &Crafts activities are used as ways to develop large and small muscle control, hand-eye coordination, imagination, and to reinforce certain ideas for the children. It also gives children the opportunity to explore color. The effects of various media on different surfaces will allow each child to develop anesthetic appreciation and achieve self-expression through art activities.

-Social Studies: Through our Social Studies curriculum, the children will learn about themselves, current societal figures, and important individuals in U.S. History. Some other focuses are transportation and important holidays in their lives.

-Math: Children learn through hands-on experiences (such as sorting, comparing, and ordering) that will provide a foundation for understanding mathematical concepts. Children will develop skills in counting, numeral recognition and sets, and the identification of shapes.

-Music: Music experiences develop appreciation, participation, and responsiveness in children. The children are introduced to simple songs that will in turn reinforce memory skills. Rhythm instruments are used to encourage creative movement and create an opportunity for the children to direct their exuberance and energy.

-Computer: Computer time is a weekly learning and fun experience. It is never too early to introduce young children to the computer and its many functions. Many skills will be reinforced through the use of the computer, some of which include visual discrimination, and letter and number recognition.

-Creative Dramatics and Movement: Creative dramatics and movement help children develop language and spontaneous play. It also encourages free expression, following directions, and group cooperation. Creative dramatics and movement include pantomime, story dramatization, role-playing, and puppetry.

-Nutrition/Cooking Experiences: With nutrition and cooking experiences, children learn about group cooperation, math (weights and measures, time), and science (changes of matter from one form to another). The children learn about hot and cold, liquid and solid. Stirring, shaking, and spreading help develop coordination and motor control. They also learn and develop an understanding of how to follow direction in sequence (i.e. preparation, combine ingredients, and cleanup) and most important, to develop good eating habits.

-Physical Development: Gross motor activities contribute to positive physical and mental health by strengthening muscles, increasing coordination, and helping to free children from tension. Social development is aided when children cooperate. Self-concepts are enhanced as young children acquire motor skills and feelings of success and enjoyment.

Each day, we incorporate a variety of activities to develop the following skills: • Listening (Sound Discrimination) • Social skills • Emotional • Language • Physical • Social • Visual Perception • Visual Discrimination • Sorting, Classifying • Fine Motor • Gross Motor • Perpetual Motor • Awareness of self, environment.

-Indoor Play: Indoor play encourages development of language, social skills, large and small motor Control, and sensory awareness through dramatic play, block building, puzzles, tabletop toys, puppets, cars and games.

-Outdoor Play: Encourages development of large and small muscle coordination, strength, balance and social play.

-Snack Time: Learning occurs throughout the day, including snack time! We give your child 1 cup of supervision, 2 handfuls of help when needed, and 10 tablespoons of patience and understanding all lovingly mixed together.

-Story Time: This activity is a quiet, calm period for reading, telling stories, or sharing thoughts. Story time will help stimulate and develop the children’s imaginations, listening and communication skills, and appreciation for books.