The Curriculum at Oakhurst Cooperative Preschool

Our primary goal is to create a positive, secure environment that encourages children to become enthusiastic, lifelong learners and self-confident, caring adults. With this goal in mind, we carefully selected the open and flexible framework of the Creative Curriculum and integrated key elements of other well-known curricula to create a unique learning experience for young children. We focus on the total development of the child, including cognitive, social, emotional, and physical skills and language and communication.

Relationships between caregivers/teachers and children and their families are the foundation of a child’s development of sense of self and security and his or her ability to relate to others and express feelings. At OCP, we focus on nurturing these relationships. We pride ourselves on a low child-to-teacher ratio, which fosters this strong relationship between teacher, child, and family.

At OCP, we believe that education should address the whole child, not only his or her intellect. Children must be allowed to learn at their own pace and in ways that are best for them. Our program is sensitive to each child’s individual needs and abilities; the teacher observes how each child experiences and interacts with the learning environment and therefore can guide his or her learning process in a mindful and developmentally appropriate way. Children learn primarily through play, with imitation and imagination as an integral part. A child’s creativity flourishes in an atmosphere of acceptance and trust. We encourage children to be active and creative explorers who are not afraid to try out their ideas and to think their own thoughts. This helps them to become independent, self-confident, and inquisitive learners. At OCP, we feel it is essential to create an inner enthusiasm for learning—children learn best from acts they plan and carry out themselves.