Early Childhood Curriculum in Renton, WA
As children grow, we believe that a consistent schedule builds confidence, as a reliable routine gives them a sense of structure. Our teachers are experienced, well-trained professionals up-to-date on current teaching methods and best practices; they use their talent and expertise to design, adapt, and create lesson plans that best serve the children in their classroom. We welcome family involvement and value your input!
Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers
Infants benefit greatly from sharing books with caring adults long before they understand words and pictures. Early reading experiences—whether on laps, on the floor, or before sleep—spark a sense of wonder and enjoyment. As infants and toddlers grow, they explore their environment using their senses and developing motor skills. Even before they grasp concepts like "under" or "far," they learn by physically navigating their world, sorting out shapes, sizes, and colors.
Family Circle Learning Center provides infants and toddlers with a rich learning environment, featuring well-planned centers that maximize development in the following areas:
Large and Small Motor Experiences: Infants engage in activities such as reaching, grasping, kicking, holding, pulling, standing, creeping, and crawling. Toddlers focus on gripping, throwing, manipulating, walking, climbing, pushing, and pulling.
Sensory Experiences: Children explore textures, colors, patterns, sizes, shapes, smells, tastes, and weights.
Cognitive Experiences: Activities include developing object permanence, understanding spatial relationships, classifying, collecting and dumping, exploring cause and effect, and solving problems.
Language and Music: Adults engage children in conversations, reading, language play, musical exploration, rhyming, and sound activities.
Personal Expression: Opportunities for art, movement, imitation, beginning dramatic play, and play with dolls and stuffed animals are provided.
Curriculum for Preschool (Explorers, Conquerors, and Navigators)
Our preschool curriculum is designed for active learning through interaction with the physical and social environment. The focus is on creating a developmentally appropriate, experientially rich setting that nurtures both children’s and teachers’ creativity. Central to our approach are thoughtfully planned learning centers that promote child choice, self-directed play, small group collaboration, and supportive teaching.
The learning centers provide a range of experiences that support comprehensive development and school readiness. Typical centers include:
Library/Literacy
Dramatic Play
Sensory (Sand and Water)
Nature/Science
Manipulatives
Blocks/Construction
Math
Art
Music and Movement
Outdoor Learning
Throughout the day, children make choices about their activities, participate in small groups, and join in circle time. Teachers listen to children's ideas, document what matters to them, and guide them toward key learning experiences that build healthy development. The curriculum aims to strengthen self-esteem, foster enthusiasm for learning, and prepare children for more structured educational environments by encouraging responsible decision-making and independence. Pre-reading skills, auditory and visual perception, math concepts, motor development, and social-emotional growth are emphasized. Afternoon schedules include special activities, outdoor play, learning centers, and quiet time.
Curriculum for Pre-kindergarten (Adventurers and Discoverers)
Our pre-kindergarten program equips children with the skills needed for kindergarten, led by experienced teachers. The curriculum focuses on building essential skills, positive attitudes, and motivation for future academic success. Key areas include reading and language development, writing, math, science, music, art, and auditory and visual training.
Special emphasis is placed on memory-building and listening skills, as well as social and emotional development, to prepare children for large group settings. The program encourages responsible decision-making and independent learning. Physical activity is highly valued, with up to two hours of movement incorporated into each classroom’s daily routine, both indoors and outdoors.
Curriculum for School-Age Children
Our school-age program serves elementary students in kindergarten through 5th grade who require care before and after school. Morning care includes breakfast, homework time, and socializing. After school, students participate in special activities, socialize, play outdoors, and join group activities. We strive to balance structured and unstructured time so students can relax after their school day.
During school vacations, we offer special trips and activities. Teachers encourage students to participate in making choices about their activities, fostering independence and engagement.
