Hands-on is hands-down the best!
Each day your preschooler will engage in a variety of hands-on centers designed to introduce them to the current learning objectives in a meaningful, personal way. They’ll explore and discover solutions working by themselves, with a friend, or in small groups.
Our teachers tie specific activities to learning objectives built into our curriculum, and they custom design each day to meet preschoolers’ developmental needs.
We’ve chosen the Core Knowledge curriculum as an educational framework for our Preschool program, in large part because of its highly hands-on approach to learning.
At Tater Tots, children grow in a well-structured and well-equipped classroom, focusing on Practical Life (fine and gross motor skill development), Sensorial (sensory and brain development), Language, Math, Geography, Science and Art.
Click below to learn about the Core Knowledge Foundation philosophy.
Assessments & Lesson Planning
The Learning Beyond Papers Assessment process is an innovative approach to evaluating and measuring a student’s understanding and skills beyond traditional paper-based examinations. This method recognizes that real-world competency encompasses more than just theoretical knowledge. It involves the practical application of concepts, critical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and creativity.
Learning Beyond Papers Assessment embraces various evaluation techniques such as project-based assessments, simulations, presentations, case studies, and collaborative activities. By incorporating these multifaceted approaches, educators gain a more comprehensive view of a student’s capabilities, allowing for a holistic assessment that aligns with the dynamic demands of today’s rapidly evolving educational landscape and professional world.
Preschool Goals & Philosophies
The Tater Tots Preschool Program is built on teacher-and-child-initiated activities that are developmentally appropriate and designed to meet the needs of the whole child: spiritually, physically, emotionally, socially, creatively and cognitively.
Preschool Goals
We endeavor to keep the most important things priority as we educate and grow your preschooler.
- Prepare them for Kindergarten.
- Helping, sharing and caring for other.
- Help them develop positive self-esteem.
- Develop social skills, as well as communication skills for solving problems peaceably.
- Develop the ability to work and cooperate in small and large groups. Understand and respect the property of others.
- Increase their capacity to think, reason, question, and experiment.
- Develop language and early literacy skills.
- Build early writing skills. This includes letter recognition, letter-sound matching, ideas of printing.
- Build oral and listening skills.
- Develop familiarity with numbers and mathematical reasoning skills.
- Develop awareness and appreciation of art, music, poems and books. Experience the artistic process.
- Increase participation in play, singing, creative experiences, rhythmic activities and dramatic play.
- Develop large and small muscle coordination, and activities designed to foster good habits of health and safety. This includes activities geared toward building strong muscles and coordination.
Core Beliefs
Central to our program are seven beliefs which shape our care of your Preschooler:
- Children’s self-esteem grows from learning that God loves them.
- They can be confident and unafraid, knowing God cares for them.
- They can feel safe knowing their family, teachers, and peers appreciate their feelings.
- They can feel important through celebration of their uniqueness and cultural diversity.
- They can feel appreciated in celebration of their experiences and successes.
- Our classrooms are structured around the belief that children learn best by having opportunities to explore, create, and discover.
- Family is the primary influence on the child’s growth and development.
The cooperative efforts of parent and staff working together as a team are essential. Tater Tots operates on a team philosophy in which we work with parents to maximize the potential of every child.
Educational Philosophies
In addition to the beliefs which shape the care we give, we are guided by seven philosophies in educating your Preschooler. Our goals in education are:
- To foster joy and love in the child’s heart for learning and school.
- To recognize play as our main device in teaching our children, because it is an essential part of growth and expression.
- To recognize each child as an individual and encourage cooperation and sharing.
- To encourage problem solving and patience through independent thinking.
- To encourage love and respect for all God’s creations.
- To encourage the self-esteem needed to grow in confidence and wisdom.
- To work in partnership with the child’s parents to promote the growth and development of the child.
Other Important Features
Our Preschool Program has a strong focus on emergent literacy, and the curriculum is paired with over 200 age appropriate books throughout the year. Each book has been hand selected based on the illustrations, the vocabulary, its focus on the current theme and its unique ability to engage the children. In addition, our literature selections emphasize diversity among ethnicities, geographies, cultures and holidays.
Every week, children bring home a Red Book Bag filled with award-winning, multicultural books.
The caring adults in their lives read with them regularly, creating shared reading routines. These efforts are supported by easy-to-use materials and training to help families make the most of shared reading time and moments with their children. Families are connected with libraries to maintain the habit of borrowing and sharing books, long after the program is complete.
The Raising a Reader book collection includes 3,000 books with titles in 13 languages.
An important and unique feature of our curriculum is our introduction of Christian Character to the preschoolers. An integral part of their day, much as science, language and math, is engaging in activities teaching them about loyalty, honesty, conflict resolution and other basic Christian traits. We are proud of our Christian heritage and love sharing it with preschoolers in a fun and nurturing way.
Created by leaders in early learning with decades of experience in organizations such as the Department of Education, early learning coalitions, school districts, and as owners, directors, and teachers, Learning Beyond’s revolutionary curriculum follows a social constructivist approach, designed to create learning opportunities for children through peer-based activities and intentional interactions with their teachers.
Find out more about Learning Beyond with this PDF.
Engage with your child’s activities that are shared from school and easily message your child’s staff. You can also invite other family members / nannies / grandparents to engage or share your child’s activities.
If you’re looking to enroll, start here!
If you’re interested in a tour, they are offered by appointment only to ensure minimal disruption to the preschoolers routine.
When you’re ready to visit us, you can find us halfway between I-80 and Travis AFB, at 2605 Clay Bank Rd in Fairfield.
