"It takes a village to raise a child."

More and more research is being conducted every day that gives us a clearer picture of how young children learn, thrive, and grow emotionally and intellectually. Beginning during the first year of life, active, physical, and cognitively stimulating play is necessary for optimal brain growth and development.

Research has also outlined the importance of close and dependable relationships. These relationships must provide love, warmth, security, responsive interaction, and encouragement for exploration. A child’s first experience with this kind of relationship is at home with a loving family.

When you entrust your child to the care of early childhood professionals, you not only want your child to be safe and to learn, you also want your child to be accepted and valued, to feel he or she belongs in the school community. This is important, of course, but what families often do not understand is how important it is for you to be a part of the school community. Children feel more confident and comfortable at school when they feel their families are a part of the community as well.

At Green Sprout Preschool it is important to us that our parents and teachers build and maintain trusting, open, and honest relationships. Parent involvement is instrumental in in fostering a sense of belonging to each individual child. With a foundation built on principles of the Reggio Emilia Philosophy, we believe that it takes a village to raise a child and that each individual child is the collective responsibility of the local community.  Through working together as parents and teachers, keeping the lines of communication open, and listening to each other’s perspectives and expertise, we can all ensure that each child has the best educational experience possible. 

We also encourage communication between our families by creating opportunities for parents to meet and mingle. Our morning and afternoon drop-offs and at our monthly potlucks provide a secure environment for parent-to-parent interaction and communication.