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Invest In Your Child’s Future
Early Education Programs at Step One Academy
Step One Academy in Plainfield, NJ is committed to providing exceptional early education programs for children. Our holistic curriculum is designed to foster growth and development, covering a wide range of essential facets. From physical and motor skills development to socializing with caregivers and peers, our curriculum ensures a well-rounded learning experience. We also prioritize language development, creative expression, and cognitive growth through engaging activities like storytelling, art, and games.
What is The Creative Curriculum?
The Creative Curriculum is an early childhood education framework grounded in child development theory and research. It emphasizes the balance between understanding general principles of child development and individualized knowledge gained through relationships with children and families. The curriculum provides educators with strategies to nurture children’s social, emotional, and academic development through structured learning environments and meaningful interactions.
The 5 Fundamental Principles of The Creative Curriculum:
1. Positive Interactions and Relationships with Adults:
These interactions lay the foundation for children’s success in learning and development.
2. Social-Emotional Competence:
Social and emotional skills are crucial for success in school and life.
3. Constructive, Purposeful Play:
Play is essential for children’s learning, helping them build cognitive, social, and physical skills.
4. The Physical Environment:
A well-structured environment supports high-quality learning experiences and interactions.
5. Teacher-Family Partnerships:
Collaborating with families enhances children’s development and learning.
This curriculum is designed to foster a holistic approach to learning, ensuring children are supported both academically and emotionally.
Infant Daycare
(3 weeks – 1.5 years)
Our infant daycare program provides a nurturing environment for your young child to absorb information quickly.
Applying The Creative Curriculum
For infants, The Creative Curriculum focuses on building strong, trusting relationships with caregivers. The emphasis is on sensory exploration, language development through interactions, and fostering physical and emotional security. Caregivers create nurturing, responsive environments to encourage curiosity and early developmental milestones like motor skills and communication.
Toddler Daycare
(1.5 – 2.5 years)
Active toddlers in action at Step One! Our toddler daycare program allows children to take their very first steps in learning.
Applying The Creative Curriculum
For toddlers, the curriculum supports exploration, independence, and social-emotional development. Toddlers engage in purposeful play that helps them develop language, problem-solving abilities, and fine motor skills. The focus is on balancing structured routines with the freedom to explore their environment, which fosters autonomy and self-regulation.
Preschool
(3 – 4 years)
Our preschool program prepares your child for higher school-age learning with innovative approaches in teaching.
Applying The Creative Curriculum
In preschool, the curriculum emphasizes social competence and cognitive development through interactive play. Children engage in more complex problem-solving and language development activities. The environment is structured to promote collaboration, creativity, and an emerging understanding of academic concepts like numbers, letters, and early literacy.
Prekindergarten
(4 – 5 years)
Children who turn 4 years old by October 1st each year are eligible for our Pre-K program.
Applying The Creative Curriculum
The prekindergarten curriculum is designed to prepare children for school readiness. It focuses on deeper academic learning, including literacy, math, and critical thinking skills, while still promoting social-emotional development. Play remains essential, but activities are more intentional in fostering skills needed for kindergarten success, such as self-regulation, collaboration, and independent problem-solving.
Before & After School Program
(5-13 years)
Our Before and After School Program allows children to continue learning and engaging in wholesome activities.
Applying The Creative Curriculum
Our Before and After School Program provides a safe and engaging environment for children outside regular school hours. The program fosters continuous learning through activities that keep students engaged in a supportive atmosphere. As a participant in the CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program), we offer free breakfast for before school care and snacks for after-school care. This program helps bridge the gap between school and home, offering structure and enrichment in a safe space.
Summer Program
(5-13 years)
Our Summer Camp Program is filled with fun and educational activities to keep your child engaged.
Applying The Creative Curriculum
Our Summer Camp is designed to offer children an exciting and educational summer experience. Packed with fun-filled activities such as games, BBQs, field trips, cooking classes, outdoor play, water activities, movies, and creative projects, the program keeps children entertained and learning all summer long. With a focus on both enjoyment and educational growth, our Summer Program is popular—early registration in May is recommended to secure a spot as we fill up quickly!
Benefits of Our Education Programs
Bilingual Spanish/ English Immersion
At Step One Academy, our Bilingual Spanish/English Program offers children the opportunity to immerse themselves in another language and culture. This program helps expand children’s minds by fostering cultural awareness and language skills, preparing them for a diverse world.
Bilingual Spanish/ English Immersion
At Step One Academy, we offer a Bilingual Spanish/ English program to immerse your child in other cultures and expand their minds.
Free Meals
As a participant in the CACFP (Child and Adult Care Food Program), we provide free healthy, and nutritious meals and snacks to all children. This ensures that every child receives the proper nutrition needed for their optimal growth and development throughout the day.
School Trips
We believe in learning beyond the classroom. Our school trips to local farms, museums, theaters, and aquariums enrich educational experiences and provide hands-on learning. Additionally, we invite professionals to speak to our children on various topics, such as fire and stranger safety, healthy eating, reading development, and environmental awareness.
School Trips
We believe in providing opportunities for learning outside the classroom. We plan school trips to local farms, museums, theaters, and aquariums to enhance educational experiences. We also invite professionals to speak to our children on various topics such as fire and stranger safety, healthy eating, reading development, and the environment.
If you have any questions about our daycare schedules and programs,
please feel free to get in touch with us.
Step One Academy I
Phone Number: 908-753-8253
Fax Number: 908-753-8416
Business Hours:
Monday – Friday
6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday
Closed
Step One Academy II
Phone Number: 908-753-8252
Fax Number: 908-753-8251