Programs

Service Features

“Shepherd House” programs are designed to benefit the child, the parent, the staff and the community. The programs will  provide families with a wide range of support services from after school academic, social and sporting programs, to parenting classes and counseling. These services will be scheduled during normal operating hours of 6:30a.m. – 6 p.m.

Families are encouraged to participate in the many different activities, such as, meals with their children and teach in the family style dining area, or to participate as volunteers in the many planned field trips during the year.  All children are closely observed as they go about their daily routines. A computer program is set up in each classroom for children’s evaluation to input the child’s progress, daily reports and weekly lesson plans.  Assessments  are given annually and information of the child’s development in all areas is logged into their person files.

Parent-teacher conferences are planned once every six months to share progress reports, and other issues or concerns. The doors are always open for parents to come and discuss their needs, ask questions, give suggestions and comments.

“Shepherd House ” will recruit and retain the most highly qualified educators, by offering higher compensation programs, excellent benefits and the best resources, as well as, a safe, eco-healthy place to work

Shepherd House curriculum incorporates character development and life skills, to ensure that the children are constantly stimulated, constantly interested and constantly growing. reinforced with the family style dining  where nutritious home cooked meals and snacks will be served to all children at no additional cost to the parents.

Classrooms That Inspire Learning and Activity

In the classrooms, you’ll find:

• Developmentally appropriate activities for each age group
• Individualized progress monitored by on-going observation
• Computers and technology to support and enhance curriculum
• Activities that stimulate varied learning styles
• Authentic work displayed that highlights our curriculum

Play is the Work Children

Shepherd House teaching philosophy is that young children learn through their play. The focus of their learning is on the formation of concepts about themselves and their physical and social environment. Their learning is facilitated by multi-sensory experiences, play, and language development.

Through play, children explore their environment, try out various roles and problem solving strategies and test their ideas to discover relationships. They involve their senses as they touch, move, create, and develop understanding about feelings. Through interaction with adults and peers they become fascinated by the power of language as a tool for communication and understanding. They need guidance and encouragement from adults as they strive toward the development of autonomy and a positive sense of self.

Shepherd House provides  a relaxed, nurturing environment, to encourage development of language skills, math concepts, large and small muscle development, music, art, and dramatic play activities. Learning about living things, community and social and self-help skills are also a part of this environment.

A fenced-in well equipped play yard as part of the program.  A gymnasium is also included in the program. All children (excluding infant) are expected to participate in activities of their chose such as, tricycling, basketball etc., at least three times a week. Indoor crafts and games are planned daily. Outside activities are planned according to the weather. Activities include: picnics, stories under the shade, sand fun, gardening, playing in a cute “Gingerbread Playhouse,”  ( currently  under construction)  neighborhood walks and ball games.  In the winter children visit to pumpkin farm, play in the snow and pull each other on sleds. In the spring children picks up leaves as part of a lesson or science project. There are field trips year round. (currently no field trips) Holiday celebrations, plenty of event where parents are invited to dine with the children and staff, and many other special events.

The Infant
Program

Shepherd House knows the importance of nurturing when it comes to babies. Providing plenty of hugs, love, and personal attention is something we include throughout our Infant-Toddler Program. Your baby will enjoy singing, giggling, reading, cuddling and, of course, Tummy Time in our safe, secure, state-of-the-art facility.

Infant-Program includes:

• A comforting place that focuses on love and trust
• Sign language techniques to maximize communication skills
• Daily exercises and activities designed to coincide with physical development
• Daily reports and weekly lesson plans to keep you informed of your child’s development

Adventure and Growth

Learning centers, with educational and developmentally appropriate toys designed for learning, create a bright and exciting environment for your child. Expanding the imagination and strengthening the muscles has never been more fun!

Weekly lesson plans provide activities designed to develop skills necessary to accomplish developmental milestones. Our extensive Infant- Sign Language Program, which is known to eliminate frustration for children who have yet to form their verbal vocabulary, introduces age-appropriate language skills for non-verbal communication.

There are four essential components to our Infant program:

•  language development
•  physical development
•  cognitive development
•  social and emotional development

Shepherds House believes in balancing fun with fitness and learning with laughter. Communicating, crawling, creating and exploring underscore the meaning behind developing the whole child.

Love and Laughs

At this tender age, there’s no such thing as too much love, too many hugs, or too many giggles. As babies grow into toddlers, it’s imperative to create strong bonds with families and caregivers. At Shepherds House  you know your child is being loved, hugged and nurtured from the very beginning and as she continues to develop. That’s the difference!

The Toddlers
Program

Toddlers are always on the move, excited and exploring the world around them! Shepherds House  understands the curiosity and readiness of toddlers and creates a challenging and kid-paced day to fulfill these needs.

Shepherds House Toddler Curriculum includes:

• Hands-on projects designed to stimulate the toddler mind
• A structured learning plan designed to meet your child’s developmental needs.
• Problem-solving challenges and puzzles
• A fun, safe play environment for personal discovery and adventure
• A rich educational environment filled with science, math, language, drama, music, art and more
• Daily reports for you on the progress of your child including updates on naps, toilet training and  meals
• Close attention to each and every toddler to maximize personal growth
• Lots of hugs and giggles

Our program works to strengthen all aspects of your growing toddler’s development:

• Building language – Through additional sign language skills, your toddler learns to communicate with caregivers and other children so her individual needs are more easily met.
• Stories and songs –

Exciting stories and an array of silly, fun songs help your toddler’s imagination continue to grow while he learns those important skills needed for the next developmental level.

creativity – Our facilities are designed with imagination in mind. As your toddler develops, she will continue to explore her abilities in music, art, and drama with the help of our developmentally-appropriate learning centers in each classroom. Our state-of-the-art facilities encourage creativity and imagination.

fine and gross motor skills – With your toddler on the move, a busy body is a healthy body! Whether he is crawling, walking, reaching, or tossing, we help your child learn all about his body and celebrate his accomplishments both great and small.

A Hug Above the Rest

We know that toddlers lead a very active lifestyle, and that is why our staff is prepared for the occasional boo-boo. We have developed a special place in our schools where your child can rest and receive the tender loving care he deserves. Our staff is highly qualified in First Aid as well as in “making it all better.”

The Preschoolers
Program

The daily adventures continue into preschool, and with them come the steppingstones for a lifetime of learning with  Shepherds House  Preschool Curriculum. Our goal is to help equip the child for the challenges ahead. Supporting each child during this time in his life helps to instill a sense of confidence and accomplishment while he basks in his daily successes.

Preschoolers are continuing their learning adventure with a desire to do things on their own and make new discoveries. That’s why we’ve designed our Preschool Program to fulfill the preschool mind.

Our standards-based Preschool Curriculum is divided into weekly, theme-based units. We introduce Words of the Week to strengthen and increase vocabularies and develop character. Group exercises, as well as individual skills practice, complement your child’s developmental growth and provide him with many opportunities to explore his personal interests.  Weekly Character Connections develop strong, positive character traits and boost self-esteem in every child.

Growing Minds, Growing Up

As children enter preschool, the Shepherds House Curriculum shifts to accommodate a more planned structure, preparing preschoolers for the academic schedules they’ll soon find in elementary school.

 The Preschool Curriculum includes:

• Child-directed learning which allows preschoolers to process and self-regulate their own decisions
• Language, physical, and cognitive development that focuses on learning curves needed for developmental mileston
• Small group activities that are planned for every child throughout each day
• Literacy and writing activities which are age-appropriate and provided daily
• Activities and music to balance learning and fun
• Emotional and social development with peers and teachers
• Planned outdoor activities that promote physical fitness and development
• Daily enrichment activities to encourage imaginative and creative play
• Progress reports that inform parents of children’s daily accomplishments Decision-making skills to support growing minds

Pre-Kindergarten
Program

Shepherd House Pre-Kindergarten program is filled with enjoyable activities for the child. This is the next stop on your child’s way toward elementary learning. Here, learning is driven by student development and imagination.

Our program meets and exceeds national standards, has literature-based units, and addresses all learning styles. The program’s goal is to help each child succeed to his fullest potential, which is why each unit of study was developed with the learner in mind.

Pre-Kindergarten activities include large and small hands-on groups, independent activities, and realistic application. The learning stations and curriculum were designed to build children’s comprehension. Through independent and cooperative learning strategies, children are able to apply thought, imagination, and creativity into their educational experiences.

This program is broken down into three categories: academic introductions, individual and group activities, and station opportunities. The academic introductions are group learning sessions where students are introduced to subject matter. Our individual and group activities help students apply what they have learned and focus on building individual comprehension. Pre-Kindergarten station opportunities provide the following:

• Alphabet Station helps children build their language skills.
• Art Station presents free-choice art experiences that develop skills and imagination.
• Construction Station develops spatial awareness through stacking, sorting, building, and recreating.
• Dramatic Play Station encourages individual and group role play activities with realistic and imaginary props.
• Number Station lets children apply math skills with a variety of materials and strategies.
• Reading Station promotes independent reading and a love of books.
• Science/Sensory Station allows children to experiment with materials.
• Writing Station encourages beginning letter formation through a variety of materials and activities.

Children continue to learn about themselves and the environment around them in an atmosphere permeated with the philosophy of Shepherd House  “Hug First, Then Teach.” Teachers encourage and praise children for their accomplishments, building their self-esteem and creating memorable learning experiences with them.