ABOUT THE GARDEN OF CHILDREN
The Garden of Children has offered child day care to the Newport News area since 1974. Our dedicated staff is certified, insured, warm and caring. We believe that the pre-school experience prepares children academically, emotionally, and socially for elementary school. Additionally, we believe play is a vital element in a child’s learning experience. It is a medium for self-expression and an excellent time to develop their individual thinking processes.
We participate with Smart Beginnings Virginia Star Quality Initiative and have acquired a “Star” rating. Children in high quality child care settings are more successful in school and life, so choosing a preschool or child care program, is one of the most important decisions parents and families make. We excel in the care of toddlers and preschoolers and will take care of your little ones!
Click here for The Parent Handbook
OUR COMMITMENT
- To acknowledge and support our families as a child’s first
and most important teacher - To provide our children with the highest quality of care
- To provide developmentally appropriate learning opportunities
for all children - To focus on the interest of the individual child
- To setting the standard of excellence in early childhood
care and education - To listen and respond to our families concerns or questions
- To be committed to you and your child in all of their
developmental needs
ABOUT THE GARDEN OF CHILDREN
The Garden of Children has offered child day care to the Newport News area since 1974. Our dedicated staff is certified, insured, warm and caring. We believe that the pre-school experience prepares children academically, emotionally, and socially for elementary school. Additionally, we believe play is a vital element in a child’s learning experience. It is a medium for self-expression and an excellent time to develop their individual thinking processes.
We participate with Smart Beginnings Virginia Star Quality Initiative and have acquired a “Star” rating. Children in high quality child care settings are more successful in school and life, so choosing a preschool or child care program, is one of the most important decisions parents and families make. We excel in the care of toddlers and preschoolers and will take care of your little ones!
OUR COMMITMENT
- To acknowledge and support our families as a child’s first
and most important teacher - To provide our children with the highest quality of care
- To provide developmentally appropriate learning opportunities
for all children - To focus on the interest of the individual child
- To setting the standard of excellence in early childhood
care and education - To listen and respond to our families concerns or questions
- To be committed to you and your child in all of their
developmental needs
Click here for The Parent Handbook
OUR MISSION
The Garden of Children’s mission is to partner with Virginia families in providing excellence in quality child care and education. We maximize the positive aspects of all children through creating an environment where differences are recognized, understood, appreciated and where all children learn, grow and play every day so that they are given an opportunity to develop to their fullest potential.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
To a working parent or guardian, a child care facility is more than just a babysitter. It is a part of the input to the child’s personality development, early education, and social interactions that can shape his/her future. A child takes in more information between the ages of one to six than they do the remainder of their life. We know these formative years are critical to the development of your child’s creative talent, positive self-esteem, and enthusiasm for learning. The Garden of Children provides a safe nurturing environment for your child to grow and develop character using the basic ingredient of the home – love. That is why we believe that the giving and receiving of love must be a basic function in our center.
The children will encounter a variety of innovative activities to help them grow socially, mentally, verbally, and physically. The day’s work includes a balance of active and passive activities, as well as, teacher-directed and child chosen tasks.
OUR MISSION
The Garden of Children’s mission is to partner with Virginia families in providing excellence in quality child care and education. We maximize the positive aspects of all children through creating an environment where differences are recognized, understood, appreciated and where all children learn, grow and play every day so that they are given an opportunity to develop to their fullest potential.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
To a working parent or guardian, a child care facility is more than just a babysitter. It is a part of the input to the child’s personality development, early education, and social interactions that can shape his/her future. A child takes in more information between the ages of one to six than they do the remainder of their life. We know these formative years are critical to the development of your child’s creative talent, positive self-esteem, and enthusiasm for learning. The Garden of Children provides a safe nurturing environment for your child to grow and develop character using the basic ingredient of the home – love. That is why we believe that the giving and receiving of love must be a basic function in our center.
The children will encounter a variety of innovative activities to help them grow socially, mentally, verbally, and physically. The day’s work includes a balance of active and passive activities, as well as, teacher-directed and child chosen tasks.
OUR AGE-GROUPS
Infants (4 weeks – 16 months)
In our infant classroom, it is our highest priority to meet your child’s basic needs in a nurturing and loving environment. Your infant will receive personal, individualized attention and care. Our classroom environment helps form a foundation for later learning by offering areas focused in movement, balance, coordination and gross motor skills. We provide manipulative objects and interactive materials to engage your child from birth to 16 months.
Our infant room is a shoe-free environment built for your little explorers to roam freely. As soon as your infant is ready to start crawling and scooting around, it is our priority to make sure that the environment keeps their hands and mouth safe from germs and dirt.
Cribs are provided for each child under 12 months and once your infant turns 1 year old, we transition them to a cot. We provide each child with a tight fitting sheet and blanket. Cribs and cots are personalized with your infant’s name. In addition cribs are see-through so we can keep an eye on your little one while they sleep.
Pre-Toddler (16 months – 2 years)
It is our priority to ensure all children are best prepared to enter into the toddler classroom. The classroom environment has been especially designed to promote learning as well as achieving the age appropriate milestones that will prepare them for the next stages in their education.
We understand that each child is unique and during this phase are growing into their own personality, therefore we have a stimulating room layout, consistent routines, and are placing a focus on classroom habits and behaviors.
Toddler (2 years)
Our Toddler Program has been designed specifically to promote learning and independence through play. The Curriculum is a thematic approach and is presented in short intervals on the carpet and at tables to keep children moving and engaged in learning. It is our overall goal to help each child reach their age appropriate milestones that will prepare them for their next stage in education as well as the world around them.
During the day we follow a classroom schedule with developmentally appropriate learning times. Circle time with stories and songs, to promote verbal skills and language. Math and science are part of our weekly routines, along with specials in art, music and movement. Another focus is modeling respect, kindness and sharing. Teachers lead and guide children in free play and games to help develop gross motor skills.
Pre-School (3 & 4 years)
In our program, it is our priority to ensure all children are best prepared to enter in to the school system. Our classroom environment is especially designed to promote education. We have a stimulating room layout, consistent routines, and we place a lot of focus on the children’s responsibilities as students.
We purposely developed our program and curriculum to best help each child reach their social and emotional developmental milestones. We also ensured our program and curriculum will best prepare each child academically by giving endless learning opportunities to. In order to maintain a successful learning environment, every child’s behavior must be conducive to learning.
We use a 2-week trial period to best determine if our program is the right fit!
School Age (5 – 12 years)
At the GOC we offer a great start and finish to every school day for our elementary age children. For our school age students we focus on homework support, physical activities, and social and emotional development.
With a mixture of independent and organized activiites your child is sure to have fun as we set stage for the opening and completion of their days.