Philosophy

Our goal at Itty Bitty Scholars Daycare is to foster self-esteem, self-discipline and independence in each child.  We believe that early learning is critical to development and that children are competent, capable and rich in potential.  Each child is encouraged to participate in a variety of learning experiences, but each child’s choices and level of development are always respected.

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We understand that learning and development happens within the context of relationships among children, families, educators and their environments. We understand that for children to grow and flourish, the four following foundational conditions need to exist: Belonging, Well-Being, Engagement and Expression.

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Belonging:

At Itty Bitty Scholars Daycare, we are dedicated to helping children feel connected, valued, and truly seen. 

To nurture a strong sense of belonging, we create a“Family Wall” filled with pictures from each child’s home. This not only helps children feel recognized but also fosters a deeper connection to their peers and environment.

Each day begins with personalized greetings, we greet every child by name and take time for "Personal Check-Ins" to ensure they feel heard, supported, and emotionally safe.

We also encourage cooperation and inclusion through activities like group storytelling and cooperative games. By incorporating multicultural books, songs, and celebrations of diverse holidays, we honor the unique backgrounds of every child. This approach helps all children feel represented and respected within our community.

At Itty Bitty Scholars Daycare, belonging isn’t just a goal, it’s a daily practice.

Well-Being:

To foster a strong sense of well-being in every child, we encourage healthy habits from an early age. This begins with offering nutritious meals and snacks, along with promoting regular physical activity through outdoor play.

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We also emphasize mindfulness and emotional regulation by incorporating calming-down time and breathing exercises. To support children's physical and mental well-being, we include indoor stretching and dancing as part of our daily routine.

Teaching self-help skills is an important aspect of our program. We support children in learning how to dress themselves, wash their hands, tidy up their play areas, and practice table manners during mealtimes.

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Creating a safe and comfortable environment is essential to a child’s well-being. We ensure this by maintaining a secure space with cozy areas where children can relax and nap peacefully.

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Engagement:

It is important to involve children and keep them connected to the world around them. By providing materials such as blocks, loose parts, and natural objects, we encourage imaginative play and creativity. Hands-on learning experiences—such as sensory bins, science experiments, and gardening projects—help to engage children's senses and stimulate curiosity.

We, at Itty Bitty Scholars Daycare, believe that observing children's play is essential. By noticing their interests, we can introduce topics or materials that resonate with them, which makes learning more meaningful and enjoyable. Changing the themes or focus of different learning areas regularly also helps to keep their curiosity alive and supports continuous exploration and growth.

Expression:

We encourage children to express themselves in a variety of ways—including through their bodies, words, and materials.
By incorporating art and music into our daily routine, we provide children with opportunities to paint, draw, dance, and play instruments, supporting both creativity and self-expression.

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We also promote imaginative thinking by encouraging children to engage in daily make-believe scenarios through role play and pretend activities during free play. These experiences help children explore emotions, develop social skills, and build narrative thinking.

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To support literacy development, we engage children in meaningful conversations, read books together, and introduce new vocabulary during circle time and play. Additionally, we use visual aids such as picture cards and choice boards to help children make decisions, express their feelings, and communicate their needs effectively.