Small, full time Reggio Emilia preschool program conveniently located in the heart of the Grand Lake / Lake Merritt area of Oakland, CA.
The Children’s Workshop Oakland is a unique play- and project-based, Reggio-inspired preschool program offering full and part time enrollment for children ages 2-5 years old. We offer a nurturing and cohesive, highly responsive collaborative learning environment committed to supporting individual children of all backgrounds and ability levels in their spirited efforts to get to know themselves, one another and the world around them.
Learning environment: Set in a sprawling and sun-drenched 1898 Queen Anne Victorian home with large outdoor green spaces, The Children’s Workshop Oakland’s indoor and outdoor classrooms are designed to facilitate and support self-guided discovery of emerging competencies and close collaboration amongst teachers and peers.
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Small class sizes (10-12 children) and a low child-to-teacher ratios make it possible for an organic learning community to unfold–one in which each child’s individual abilities are respected and acknowledged. In an environment where both teachers and students frequently assume the interchangeable roles of “leader” and “learner,” the children–regardless of their age or developmental level–become increasingly comfortable assuming responsibility for their own learning, readily demonstrating their expertise, taking up new challenges modeled by their peers and gaining self-confidence as they become valued and sought after contributors and resident “experts” within the program.
Curriculum: Our Reggio-inspired curriculum transforms traditional preschool learning objectives into endless opportunities for extended inquiry through sensory exploration and ongoing project work planned and executed by the children with input from their teachers, their families and from volunteer members of the larger community.
Because emergent curriculum is generative–creating an ever-evolving, hands-on learning environment–it in turn fosters age-appropriate social, emotional, physical and intellectual development through the lens of the children’s own burgeoning interests and abilities.
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Learn more about our Director’s founding vision…
Program format: Throughout the day, periods of indoor and outdoor project work and free-play are punctuated by opportunities for quiet rest/nap time, small and large group interaction, meal times and snacks.
All of the self-guided learning areas set up during free-play provide a variety of sensorial, cognitive, fine- and gross-motor experiences for the children to engage in. Our indoor art studio, cozy reading corner, writing center, project planning and building areas are always available for spontaneous use. Music, movement and read-aloud story times are central to our daily routine.
Meals and snacks: Meal and snack times provide enjoyable occasions for engaging in meaningful conversation and cooperative participation (with regard to preparation, serving, clearing, etc.). Our program offers a well balanced, protein-rich lunch and wholesome morning/afternoon snacks served family style, with children and teachers seated together at a group table.
For safety reasons we insist that the children remain seated while eating. However, we also believe that the ritual of pausing our activities to talk and collectively savor our food together creates a positive culture around eating.
Because we support sustainable food production, we make every effort to serve fresh fruits and veggies grown without the use of pesticides, as well as meat and dairy items free from growth hormones, antibiotics and other additives.
Toileting: Children attending our program need not be toilet trained, however, support for practicing use of the toilet is provided while at school, with teacher-facilitated “potty tries” taking place regularly throughout the day.
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License No: 013423058
