Educational Philosophy
Whether your child is an infant, toddler, or preschooler, our daily lessons and activities provide each child with age appropriate learning experiences. The ELCÂ’s educational philosophy creates a learning environment that nurtures each childÂ’s emotional, social, physical, intellectual, and spiritual development. Our daily activities include the use of manipulatives, hands-on instruction, structured activities, independent activities, as well as, teacher directed activities.

Our Teachers
The ELC takes great pride in our teaching staff. All of our teachers meet the State Department of EducationÂ’s guidelines. Each teacher completes an extensive training and orientation program before she begins teaching in a classroom. Teachers are selected based on education, previous teaching experience, and their excitement to serve and teach children. All staff members are subjected to a background check and their references are thoroughly reviewed.

Curriculum
Each weekÂ’s lesson plans are carefully orchestrated to engage children in learning. Our Curriculum Coordinator has a degree in Early Childhood Education. She takes care to ensure that academic and developmental needs are met in each dayÂ’s lessons. The A-Beka curriculum is a Christian, age-appropriate curriculum that is educationally sound. It has proven effective for the preschool classroom. We also use the Bright Beginnings Curriculum to engage children in learning about the Bible in an age-appropriate manner.

State of the Art Facility
At the Lancaster ELC, we want parents to know that we take great care in providing a safe and secure facility for your children. Our facility is state-of-the-art is filled with developmentally appropriate equipment that is specifically designed for preschool children. The ELCÂ’s main entrance is password-protected to ensure authorized parents, guardians, and staff members gain access into the school. In addition, cameras are located in each classroom for monitoring by the administration and parents.

Age Group Programs
Infant Program (6 weeks to approximately 15 months)
Our infant teachers are well trained and want to meet each childÂ’s needs in a loving, nurturing manner. We provide for each childÂ’s individual needs and schedule. We want to work with each family to ensure that your efforts at home are supported in our school environment. Our goal is to be a partner with your family to provide the best care for your child. Our infant room is a nurturing environment in which infants are surrounded by many stimulating objects and opportunities to explore. Infants are allowed to play and interact with age-appropriate toys. Our infant teachers give your infant security through their involvement with your infant throughout the day by talking, singing, or reading to them. Our teachers communicate with parents through daily sheets, so you know everything your child does throughout the day.

Toddler Program (approximately 15 months through approximately 36 months)
Children in the toddler program succeed when allowed to explore their environment. Under the loving and caring supervision of our teachers, these children are encouraged to take part in child-initiated play, as well as, teacher-directed activities. The curriculum introduces children to colors, shapes, self-expression, story time, sensory awareness, and language development. Children also learn songs, finger plays, and stories to help foster their development. Our teachers communicate with parents through daily reports sent home each day in a childÂ’s folder. Twos Program
Children in the two-year-old program also learn by exploration. The two-year-old classroom is a safe, inviting environment where children can explore and learn about the world around them. In the two-year-old room, children begin using the A-Beka Curriculum to learn letters and number, as well as develop their language skills. Children also begin to learn manners and to socialize with the other children. Children build their fine motor skills through the use of hands-on activities and manipulatives. Children also develop their gross motor skills through outside play and movement activities in the classroom. Our teachers communicate with parents using daily sheet. The two-year-old daily sheet allows parents see their childÂ’s daily progress (eating habits, diapering, & behavior) and activities. Three-Year-Old Program
As children grow, they learn responsibility. In the three-year-old room, the daily schedule becomes more structured in order to prepare the children for our pre-kindergarten program. Children begin to focus on how to treat each other, manners, and cooperating with others. The A-Beka curriculum reviews letters and numbers, while also challenging the children. Children learn through interactive songs, finger plays, and stories. Children listen to many stories in order to encourage a love of literacy. Each three-year-old classroom includes a computer, so that children can access learning activities through technology. Our three-year-old teachers use a weekly sheet when communicating with parents. This sheet is sent home daily in each childÂ’s folder. This informational sheet shows the many parts of the day, and shows each parent his/her childÂ’s progress each day.

Pre-Kindergarten Program
The pre-kindergarten program is the most structured class. Parents are amazed by the progress each child makes during this year. Children are prepared for their kindergarten experience after spending the year in this program. The A-Beka curriculum includes phonics, language development, writing, and an exploration of numbers using many math concepts. Children also have a chance to use creativity during the week as they attend art, music, drama, and science during the week. Each pre-kindergarten classroom includes a computer, so academic skills can be reinforced through technology. The pre-kindergarten teachers communicate with parents through a daily folder. ChildrenÂ’s work is sent home, as well as, a behavior calendar. ChildrenÂ’s behavior is recorded daily to keep parents informed of their childrenÂ’s progress.

Enrichment Programs
Spanish
Spanish is taught twice a week to our pre-kindergarten children. They learn the colors, numbers, body parts, and other basic Spanish vocabulary through songs, games, and other instruction.

Sign Language
Sign Language is taught to our pre-kindergarten children twice a week. Children learn the sign language alphabet, numbers, colors, animals, Bible verses, and other signs through fun games.

Other Programs
Creative Me Gymnastics Ballet Classes