Is Encounter Learning Center a licensed program?

Yes, we are fully licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care.

What curriculum does Encounter Learning Center use?

Children are born natural learners. We believe the best academic and social-emotional development is to leverage their natural curiosity and desire to play to learn more about the world around them.

Emergent curriculum (jones and Nimmo, 1994) describes a curriculum that adapts to the children and teachers who are using it. Children and adults have different interests and learning styles. Instead of teachers carving curriculum plans in stone, this approach empowers teachers to meet children where they are. Teachers are active learners and model investigation and problem-solving skills as they explore topics with children. 

Teachers using emergent curriculum start with a concept or book that is meaningful to their group, then brainstorm related concepts and activities across the disciplines: Math, science, language arts, creative arts, movement, and social skills.

WHY DO WE USE A PLAY-BASED CURRICULUM? 

Parents often look at a busy preschool room and wonder where the curriculum fits in. It’s always there! Children learn about the world and things in it by exploring. They need multiple, extended opportunities to examine objects, act on them, see how they react, and explore how they can be used. Young children are little scientists at heart, constantly testing their observations and theories. 

Think about colors. It’s certainly possible to tell a child that red and blue make purple. However, if a child discovers that for themself, they are likely to do more experimenting with other colors. They will realize that different amounts of each color yield different shades. They will also notice that other colors can be mixed with different combinations. Best of all, they will remember the facts because they had a concrete experience with the concept. Through play children are able to learn to count, sort, classify, create, imitate, build, and do all sorts of complicated cognitive tasks. We as adults might call it play, but for them, it is very important work.

What type of qualifications do the teachers have?

All of our teachers have a certification through EEC. We have teachers working here who are currently attending college, all the way up to teachers who hold a master’s degree in education. All of our teachers have a strong belief in building up the child to become a strong, confident child. We believe that today’s children are tomorrow’s future and are excited to play a part in that process.

How do you communicate with parents?

We use the best tools to make sure you stay connected to your child’s day throughout the day. Our app puts everything you need to have peace of mind throughout the day in the palm of your hand.

COMMUNICATE WITH ENCOUNTER LEARNING CENTER IN REAL-TIME

• Easily message center staff via the app

• Receive any alerts or announcements in real-time

STAY IN THE LOOP ON UPCOMING ACTIVITIES AND TRACK PAST ATTENDANCE

• View upcoming schedules

• See a calendar of upcoming activities

• View attendance for your child (week or month)

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN YOUR CHILD’S DAY

• View activities: naps, meals, playtime, and learning

• Understand how your child is doing against developmental milestones

• See photos and videos of your child in action

FEEL CONFIDENT ABOUT YOUR CHILD’S SAFETY & SECURITY

• Use GPS-enabled curbside check-in or QR code technology for a contactless experience

• Designate authorized drop-off/pick-up individuals

What health precautions do you have in place?

We abide by all state and local health requirements and comply with CDC guidelines. Beyond that, we have taken additional measures to ensure that Encounter Learning Center is a safe and healthy environment for your child. 

Air quality:

• Our classrooms are larger than average and have high ceilings with a constant flow of filtered air.

• We have HEPA filters in every room. 

• All of our classrooms are equipped with an air disinfection system called CASPR (Continuous Air and Surface Pathogen Reduction). This healthcare-grade technology protects air and surfaces with proven, effective, and continuous 99.96% disinfection.

Sanitization:

• Sanitization is done throughout the day by the staff. All of our cleaning products exceed the requirements set by the EPA for use in childcare settings. 

• All rooms are cleaned and sanitized each night, including the use of a healthcare-grade electrostatic fogger.

Do you go on any off-campus field trips?

We do not take any field trips off-campus due to our friends being so young. We do, however, have specialists come into our program in place of field trips. There is no additional charge for these special events.

What kinds of snacks are served at Encounter Learning Center?

We supply a morning snack and afternoon snack but do not supply lunch. We are a tree nut/ peanut safe facility. (We ask families not to send anything in with any type of nut, and teachers do check the ingredients on all items). All of our staff are first aid/CPR certified and prepared to respond in case of an allergic reaction.

When will my child transition to a new class level?

Children progress to new classrooms based on age and developmental milestones.

Does my preschooler need to be potty trained to attend?

We will work with parents on potty training and continue whatever technique is being used at home here at school. This gives the child consistency and helps them master this skill at a quicker pace. Potty training is not a prerequisite for care.

What are your student-to-teacher ratios?

Infants: 6 children with 2 teachers

Toddlers: 9 children with 2 teachers

Preschool: 20 children with 2 teachers

How will my child be disciplined while in your care?

We talk through difficult moments with the child/children and role model how to handle a situation so that they can learn the tools needed to properly respond in the future. We do not believe in time-outs as it teaches a child that they are a bad person and not that they may have made a poor decision.

Will my child nap while at Encounter Learning Center?

All students at Encounter Learning Center have an opportunity to nap each day. Nap times for infants will follow the parent’s schedule. Toddlers nap from 12:30 to 2:30pm and preschoolers nap from 12:45 to 2:15pm. We understand that not all children nap, especially in the preschool room. We encourage our parents to talk to their child’s teacher if they are finding that the naps are keeping our friends up at night. If this is the case, we will have the child rest for 1/2 hour and after give them a quiet activity to do on their cot until nap time is over.

What hours is Encounter Learning Center open?

We open at 7:30 am and close at 5:30 pm.

How often is Encounter Learning Center closed for weather or holidays?

We do not follow the Westwood public school closures for snow days as we are a full-year program, and most of our parents still need to work during inclement weather. Any closures due to severe weather will be sent through our Procare app. Encounter Learning Center will be closed for the following holidays: New Years Day, Patriots Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Indigenous People Day, Thanksgiving (early dismissal Wednesday, closed Thursday and Friday), and Winter Break (1 week between Christmas and New Years). We also close one day in August and February for professional development.

Do your classrooms have windows?

Many of our classrooms boast large, floor-to-ceiling windows with ample daylight. Our infant and toddler spaces, while windowless, are purposefully designed to create an optimal learning environment. The design provides a quiet sanctuary for uninterrupted naps, precise light control, and consistent temperature management. To ensure children receive ample natural light and fresh air, our students enjoy daily supervised walks throughout the building and outdoors. Our students also have ample opportunity to use our outdoor playground when weather permits.