Mission Statement
To create an environment in the classroom and beyond that engages each
child's sense of wonder and helps to build the foundations for a lifelong
love of learning.
Vision Statement
Maitland Farm Preschool was founded in September of 1978 with a vision
of early childhood as a journey of discovery and with the commitment to
provide a very special learning environment for young children and their
families. We seek to provide a place where both children and adults feel
that they belong and where they know they are valued. With this sense
of physical and psychological safety, each person will be free to grow.
Our Approach
Children learn by doing, by being actively involved with materials, with
their environment, and with other children and adults. This approach is
called Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP.) It encourages intellectual
development but does NOT stress early academics or rote learning.Solid
research and practice over many years have demonstrated that DAP is a
natural and organic approach to education. It begins with a thorough understanding
of how children grow and learn. DAP encourages each child’s strengths
and dispositions as he unfolds and builds on previous development at his
own unique rate.
Our program is age appropriate because it recognizes that children develop
in a predictable sequence in all developmental domains--physical, social,
emotional and cognitive. Our program is individually appropriate because
it recognizes and respects that each child is a unique person with an
individual pattern and timing of growth.
Central to DAP at Maitland Farm are:
Interaction & Experience
-with the environment
-with equipment and materials
-with peers and teachers
Curiosity & Creativity
Positive attitudes toward learning and a willingness to explore are important
lifelong attributes that we encourage by giving the children many opportunities
to investigate and question. At Maitland Farm children have opportunities
to work independently as well as cooperatively. The development of critical
thinking skills is essential to all future success.
Respect & Caring
As we build our program around “the whole child” we are vitally
aware of the importance of the affective nature as well as the cognitive
nature of each child. Patterns for self worth and healthy relationships
are established at an early age. Each child is valued.
Why is Maitland Farm “a special place to grow?”
Developmentally appropriate curriculum
Family Friendly & Friendly Families
Farm animals and natural setting
1 teacher for every 10 students, or less
Scholarship Program
Parent Involvement in the classroom with special events
Parents’ Organization, The Friends
Parent / Staff Advisory Board
Parent education programs
Respect for cultural diversity
Open door policy
1/2, Full, and Extended Day programs
Special afternoon programs:
Outdoor adventure, art, yoga, drama
Founding Principles of Maitland Farm Preschool
Maitland
Farm is a total educational environment that nurtures and respects the
integrity and potential of each child, parent and staff person within
our school community.
Essential elements of this environment are:
1. A warm, welcoming and well-trained staff.
2. A safe and inviting setting with REAL spaces for children.
3. An educational philosophy that reflects a commitment
to sound practice and to children’s healthy growth--highlighting
hands-on experiences.
4. A curriculum that is dynamic and changes within the
established philosophical frame work in response to children’s needs
and to emerging knowledge in the field.
5. An emphasis on values which nurture respect, responsibility,
resourcefulness and
relationship building in children and adults.
6. Pathways for each staff person to develop her own
potential as an individual and as a caregiver in her particular role.
7. Pathways for parents to become integral parts of their
children’s school experiences and to develop their own potential
as parents.
8. Policies for parents and staff that reflect the same
respect we have for children.
9. The use of sensitivity and wisdom in balancing the
needs of all when there are conflicts.
10. An awareness and acceptance of our leadership role
in the wider community, both as an organization and as individuals, responsibly
sharing by example and interaction with others.
"We invite you to visit!"
“A Special Place To Grow"
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