Dear Families, Welcome to our state and fee based preschool program! Thank you for choosing us for your child’s early childhood education and care. As early childhood education professionals, we recognize that you are your child’s first teacher. In this handbook you will find information regarding family participation, enrollment, classroom policies, and the program calendar. This family-centered program offers children ages 3-5 years old an opportunity to grow intellectually and emotionally. Children will learn through social interactions in both small and large groups, both teacher and child-directed. They will learn to cooperate, to take turns, to share, to verbalize their feelings, and to respect those rights of other children.
The ELC is an inclusive preschool site designed to provide a nurturing and supportive environment for children with a range of strengths and interests. Rooted in the philosophy of inclusion, our program embraces diversity and celebrates each child's unique strengths and abilities. Our school site offers a variety of classrooms to support individual needs, and children may participate in learning opportunities in any of these classrooms and on the playground. Children with disabilities learn alongside peers who don’t have identified special education needs. Inclusion benefits all children! Through a blend of play-based learning, social interaction, and individualized support, we aim to foster the holistic development of every child.
● Inclusive Environment: Our classrooms are intentionally designed to be inclusive and accessible to children with diverse needs and interests. We welcome children of all abilities, including those with physical, developmental, or learning differences. Children with a range of disabilities and abilities learn alongside each other, and our goal is to increase inclusion opportunities whenever possible. Children will participate in learning activities in all classrooms.
● Inclusive Practices: We prioritize inclusive and neurodiversity affirming practices in all aspects of our program, from curriculum planning to classroom management which benefit all children. All of our educators receive training in inclusive teaching strategies and are committed to creating an environment where every child feels valued and supported. All children benefit from highly skilled educators with experience in individualizing instruction. By embracing diversity and promoting inclusivity, the ELC aims to lay the foundation for lifelong learning, empathy, and respect for self and others. Our program celebrates the uniqueness of every child and strives to create a community where all children can thrive and reach their full potential.
DJUSD Mission Statement
The mission of Davis Joint Unified School District, a leading center of educational innovation, is to ignite a love of learning and equip each student with the knowledge, skills, character, and well-being to thrive and contribute to an evolving and increasingly connected world, through a system characterized by:
● Optimal conditions and environments for all students to learn A team of talented, resourceful, and caring staff
● Transforming teaching, learning, and operations in our continuing pursuit of excellence
● Resourceful, transparent, and responsible fiscal planning, and
● A diverse and inclusive culture
Our Preschool Philosophy
Children learn best through hands-on activities and experiences. It is important that children be allowed to explore their environment. Learning is not just following what others do; it is successfully doing it yourself. This requires active thinking and experimenting to find out how things work and to learn first-hand about the world we live in. For children to learn, the activity must have meaning for the child. Young children learn best in a child-initiated and child-centered environment. Within this classroom we will incorporate developmentally appropriate principles and practices that support these philosophies and were established by the Department of Education, EES Division (Title 5).
What are The Goals of Our Preschool Program?
The overall goals of our preschool program are to provide an environment for children ages 3-5 in which they can grow and develop to their full potential. Objectives include:
●To promote the child’s health and well-being.
● To help the child develop a positive self-image.
● To enhance the child’s physical, social, emotional intellectual development.
● To help develop the child’s language skills.
● To build the child's understanding of number concepts.
● To promote the child’s creativity.
● To help the child feel proud of his/her culture and appreciate other cultures.
● To support the family in their role as primary educators.
For more information please call 530-759-2127 or email Angie at [email protected] or Tereadel at tsosaborges@djusd.net.