Family Support: (902) 463-4752
Halifax Dev. Center: (902) 423-4702
Fax: (902) 463-5007

Introduction

Anti-Bias Curriculum

Staffing

Tour

Tour: Typical Day

What would a typical day be like?

The Halifax Developmental Preschool organizes the day so that there are many opportunities for small group activities as well as bringing smaller and larger groups together for boisterous play. We have five classes of children who are grouped according to their chronological age not developmental level.

Putting children in smaller classes is important for a few reasons. First, it gives the children a sense of family and closeness to the teacher and the peers in that class. The smaller class size allows a teacher to get to know the child and family very well thus enabling the teacher to work more efficiently with the child. The children in the group become very close and are able to build strong bonds over the course of the year. Peer relationships are very important in our center and this relationship is closely fostered. These friendships are very advantageous to all concerned.

The smaller class sizes also encourage a sense of calmness. Because there are only 5-6 children in a group, the classrooms are very calm. When you enter our center, you are met with a sense of calmness but when you enter the classrooms, you are met with laughter and lots of energy.

Because we are located in an elementary school, we are very fortunate to have a variety of classrooms, which help, enable us to effectively use a learning center model. Our classes use a rotating schedule to fully utilize each of these centers.

All the centers are designed to work on specific goals in a fun, excitement filled space. The children are structured in what room they are to be in, but they are free to choose what they would like to do when in the centers. Because we are an integrated setting, specific one to one work is not encouraged. Children learn best from play with their peers. The Teacher is there to act as a facilitator when needed, but peers are encouraged to be active with all the children in the group.

Children need their bodies and senses to process and to learn. Children with different learning styles struggle and fail in traditional classrooms while our children blossom in a learning center approach. Every child learns and processes information differently. We need to give children all the supports they require to be successful. If that means teaching in a non-traditional way and offering a learning center approach and using different model and unique tools, so be it.