Early Childhood
Education Program
Our Mission
The Emmaus Catholic Parish Early Childhood Education Program is a ministry of Emmaus Catholic Parish which ministers to families and their children ages 2-5.
Our program fosters a child-centered approach founded on the stages of early child development where the whole child (physical, spiritual, emotional, social, intellectual) is able to thrive in a positive Catholic environment.
We believe children learn best through play. Based on the most current research on early child development, we offer an environment where authentic learning takes place through hands-on learning centers in the classrooms, helping children learn about God and the world around them.
Our classes are open to any child regardless of race, nationality, or religious beliefs. Priority enrollment is given to registered parishioners.
Our Goals
- To foster a faith in God, and to foster empathy, acceptance, and respect toward self and others.
- To encourage children to think, reason, question, experiment, and develop decision-making skills.
- To offer authentic opportunities for children to learn through play.
- To develop centers for learning that nurture a sense of wonder, creativity, and problem-solving, as well as spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth.
- To foster a loving and safe environment.
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum is based on the High Scope model of intentional teaching whereby teachers and children are active partners in the learning process. Adult-child interaction is the process of working alongside children and communicating with them both verbally and nonverbally to encourage learning. One of our most important strategies for adult-child interaction is sharing control with children: creating a balanced climate where adults and children are partners in the learning process.
The classroom is divided into interest areas stocked with a stimulating range of materials designed for specific types of play. These materials are arranged in consistent places and the shelves are tagged with child-friendly labels so that children can get out and put away materials themselves. Even the outdoor play area is considered part of the learning environment and is arranged and equipped to support all areas of child development.
There are five main content areas for learning activities: 1) approaches to learning, 2) language, literacy, and communication, 3) social and emotional development, 4) physical development, health, and well-being, and 5) arts and sciences.
Learning is not simply a process of adults giving information to children. Rather, children discover things through direct experience with people, objects, events, and ideas. They learn best from pursuing their own interests while being actively supported and challenged by adults. The five ingredients of this active learning are 1) materials, 2) manipulation, 3) choice, 4) child language and thought, and 5) adult scaffolding or supporting and challenging the child.
The daily routine is a consistent framework for the day that provides a balanced variety of experiences and learning opportunities. The most important segment of the daily routine is the plan-do-review sequence, in which children make choices about what they will do, carry out their ideas, and reflect upon their activities with adults and other children.
All Emmaus ECEP staff members are trained in early childhood education, are CPR/First Aid certified, and are EIM certified.
2024-2025 Program Hours
Tuesday-Friday, 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
2, 3, and 4 day options available
Contact
Jennifer Illingworth, (512) 261-8500 x 305