Groups
The Tiger group is made up of the toddlers, 2-3 years old (nine children with 2 teachers). These children are awakening, beginning to reach out and form friendships with each other, but they still need the security and comfort that a small group allows.
The Alaya toddler program is designed to provide high quality childcare for very young children in a warm and nurturing small group setting. The focus of our toddler program is to provide young children with the opportunity to begin their school experience with developmentally appropriate expectations and experiences. During their first year at Alaya, children develop social skills, language skills, self-help skills, large and small motor coordination, secure relationships with other children and adults and positive self-image in a rich, play-oriented environment. Attention is given to each child as a developing individual. Communication between parents and teachers is frequent and meaningful to provide an understanding of the whole child.
Home visits are made to toddler homes in August so the teacher can meet the children (and their families) in familiar surroundings. The first week of school children enter into the classroom schedule gradually, with first day of school being a Visitation Day with families. The children attend for a short block of time determined by the teachers. This gentle transition into the world of preschool honors the child’s need to process information in a concrete way and provides the opportunity for the young child to form a basic relationship of trust with his or her new caregivers. We believe that a gradual and compassionate transition period helps to relieve some of the separation problems that often present themselves in the first weeks of school.
The Snow Lions are the younger preschool group, for 3-4 year olds (13 children with 2 teachers). This is a group of children in transition. They are no longer babies. The world is there for them to fully explore and discover.
The Garudas are the older preschool group for 4-5 year olds (17 children with 2 teachers). The children in this group are building the foundation to carry them into the world. The group is large enough to provide children with the opportunity to relate with each other in many types of situations and play, yet small enough to form special friendships with classmates and teachers.