High/Scope

Peachtree Childtown implements the High/Scope Approach to Early Learning and Care for Children. The High/Scope Approach is built on the Piaget Developmental Model of the importance of time, age, and development appropriateness of the learning experience.

The most recent findings of the 40 year High/Scope Perry Preschool Study carried out by David P. Weikart, founder of High/Scope Educational Research Foundation, indicate that children who attend active learning, developmentally appropriate, child development centers have a much higher probability of being life long learners with interest in advanced learning. They are also more economically stable, less likely to be involved in crime, and more likely to graduate from college.

From August through May, these High Scope Assessment times are scheduled annually. Teachers use assessment tools developed to record specific developmental behaviors observed in the classroom by the child’s primary care-givers and teachers. Feedback is provided through parent-teacher conferences.

February 4 - 9, 2007: Assessment Week—High Scope
February 12 - 16, 2007: Parent, Teacher Conferences
April 30 - May 4, 2007: Assessment Week—High Scope
May 7 - May 11, 2007: Parent, Teacher Conferences
May 9, 2007: END OF THE YEAR CELEBRATION (Burns’ Hall)

Infant Care

In the infant rooms,the curriculum allows for the individual interests and needs of the child to be met throughout the day. As infants come into the center, their individualized feeding and sleeping patterns are respected and followed. As they continue in the group setting, the schedules begin to come together as a group so that by the toddler age, most children are eating and sleeping about the same time, have exploratory play, outside time, and small and larger group times. Art and music activities are planned daily, story time, and active play time are a part of each daily schedule as well as diapering time, personal one on one time with a caregiver, hand washing, and eating times.

Preschooler Care

As children progress to the Preschool age they are introduced to the numbers and letters of the English language as well as words that label the various parts of the room and the items in the room. Spanish is also introduced early with songs and the spoken word. Children are given the opportunity to explore using the toilet and potty training is introduced at the individual child’s interest time. Children in the Preschool classes rapidly learn many ways to express themselves in words, creative play, music, and movement. They explore manipulative learning materials that teach basic concepts of language understanding. As preschoolers advance to higher levels, the tasks to prepare the child for entrance into kindergarten are introduced and encouraged including beginning reading of symbols and words, the importance of books, interactive games on the computer, and various topics including science, languages, basic colors, letters, numbers, counting, appropriate use of language, and routine self instruction as well as art, sand play, water play, and active physical play. All classes have a schedule posted. Teachers and children share their activities with parents.

The High/Scope Approach to learning is based on the premise that all children are active learners and do best when they have a part in planning and pursuing self-chosen tasks.

Childtown also brings interns and practicum students from local universities and colleges to the center to provide them opportunities for on site learning as well as to add to the quality of the child-teacher ratios and the learning in the classrooms and the routine management of the center. Colleges which have had doctoral, masters, and bachelor’s level students at Childtown include Georgia State University, Agnes Scott College, and Atlanta Theological Seminary.

Peachtree Childtown is an out-reach ministry of Peachtree Christian Church and is supported in many ways by the congregation of Peachtree. Peachtree Childtown accepts children from all ethnic and religious groups and is non-discriminatory in admissions and in staff hiring. Peachtree Childtown’s program is administered by the Director who reports directly to the Board of Childtown.

The Director has developed a well-trained Administrative Team that assists the Director in implementing the program. The Administrative Team includes the following individuals:

• Jackie Trawick, Administrative Assistant to the Director
• Shalette Lawton, Receivable, Admission Process, and Placement
• Jamie Collins, Special Events, Curriculum and Program Coordinator
• Jason Santimore, Safety & Alert, Accounts Payable, and Staff Orientation
• Kelly Marshall, Coordinator of Afternoon Programs & Closing
• Alexandra Pajak, Technical Assistance and Program Implementation
• Eva Jaynes, Receptionist/Purchasing
• Sametria Whitfield, Resource Specialist for 1 to 2 ½ year olds
• Leslie Sainovich, Registered Kindermusik Teacher

Peachtree Christian Church supports Peachtree Childtown with money and significant in-kind contributions including parking and center space, use of Burns Hall, the chapel and visits to the Sanctuary, use of the playgrounds, and very importantly, the Maintenance Team that thoroughly cleans Childtown every night. All of the Peachtree Ministerial Church staff are available to staff and parents for spiritual guidance, crisis counseling, and fellowship time.

Parents and staff are encouraged to participate in all activities and worship experience of the church as well as special musical events, celebrations, and informative classes of instruction. Parents are currently developing a parent-support and activity group to assist Staff and the Board in the planning, supervising, and developing major events including annual celebrations and silent auctions. In addition, parents are invited to volunteer in classrooms for handcrafts and activities as well as provide additional coverage during nap times so staff can meet.