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Frequently Asked Questions1. Where does Discovery Day Academy position itself within the field of early learning?Economists, researchers and government officials are formally recognizing the field of early learning as crucial to the future of our country'’s education system and the broader economy. We see our role larger than preparing our children for school readiness in an academically driven, yet developmentally appropriate learning environment. Ensuring improved quality, accountability and competence in the field of early learning is a primary focus of our school. 2. Which curriculum does Discovery Day Academy use?Discovery Day Academy's curriculum is developed by Director Elizabeth Garcia, using a research based approach. Remaining current on best practice, through research in the field of early learning ensures our children enter school prepared. Most importantly, with a life-long love of learning. Various publisher curriculums, such as Creative Curriculum, serve as supports to our preschool and infant/toddler programs. Washington State Early Learning Benchmarks, the model for the developing national and Florida preschool standards, are the foundation of our curriculum. Articles written by the foremost experts on objective based preschool learning advocate Washington State’'s benchmarks, as they measure children's progress on a continuum. Research conducted at Columbia University'’s Teachers College recognizes that as preschool children develop differently, ridged elementary based standards are developmentally inappropriate for preschool age children. Discovery Day Academy uses a hands-on approach to implementing innovative curriculum, with a focus beyond the developmental domains of learning. A constructivist approach encourages critical thinking, literacy, mathematics, science, social studies and social-emotional knowledge and intelligence. Our children are exposed to new materials, activities and subject area content using an investigative and project based approach. Subject areas are guided by children's curiosities and teacher initiated content. An appropriate level of teacher and student directed learning occurs, with the goal of developing thinking and inductive reasoning skills. Children manipulate objects, explore learning concepts and are encouraged by our teachers in purposefully staged learning environments. All material covered incorporates learning standards and ensures the individual learning objectives of each child are fostered.3. Will I receive assessment information on my child'’s progress? Discovery Day Academy conducts beginning, middle and end developmental and academic assessments each school year. Results of each child’'s progress are distributed to families according to our Parent Calendar. Although parents receive information three times per year, children receive ongoing formal and informal assessments in the classroom daily. This allows our teachers to respond to the individual needs of students, as they are observed. Individual instruction is provided to students that may need additional support or further challenges. 4. Will my child receive instruction that meets their learning style?Preschool children learn best in an activities based environment. Hands-on learning is the primary method of instruction used at Discovery Day Academy. Visual and auditory learning serve as a support. We encourage critical thinking and creative expression, rather than a worksheet based method of learning. Learning occurs in our indoor and outdoor environments through teacher and student directed learning. 5. Can parents participate in the program? Discovery Day Academy’'s program encourages family participation. Our aim is to develop personal relationships with each child and family. Opportunities to participate in read alouds, school programs and sharing of’ cultures are encouraged. 6. Will I receive ongoing communication from Discovery Day Academy?We understand the importance of thorough communication. Families receive information regarding classroom activities and their child’'s progress through daily reports, weekly newsletters and ongoing verbal feedback. Our school has procedures in place to ensure all families receive program related information. The daily check-in system, bulletin board, memos, menus and a yearly calendar provided in our enrollment packet and on our website serve as communication methods.7. Is Discovery Day Academy a year-round school?Discovery Day Academy is a year-round school. Our school closes for 8 major holidays each year and one week each summer. 8. Does Discovery Day Academy offer programs for children with special needs?Discovery Day Academy practices a full inclusion program. Our staff is required to obtain training in the area of special needs. All children deserve the opportunity to learn in an environment together. In instances that therapy and/or resources are needed, we provide assistance with obtaining those services. In the event that Discovery Day Academy cannot reasonably accommodate a child with special needs, we seek to provide referrals to programs that offer the best opportunities for our children. 9. Is Discovery Day Academy accredited? Our Clewiston locations are currently undergoing the accreditation process of the National Association for the Education of Young Children. NAEYC is the most prestigious mark of quality that can be achieved by an early learning center. Not only are schools required to meet stringent quality criteria for initial accreditation, but must also maintain ongoing excellence. Our candidacy date for accreditation is May 31st, 2011. After one school year, our Bonita Springs location will be eligible to apply for NAEYC accreditation. Documenting quality criteria will begin at the onset of the August 2011-2012 school year, in preparation for our NAEYC application. 10. What security features does Discovery Day Academy implement? All locations have Keypad Entry Systems. This limits access to authorized families and staff. Unique ID codes are assigned to each person requiring access to our buildings. Additionally, we have a strict “authorized pick-up” procedure. Families must list all authorized pick-up individuals on our center designated form, which is stored in each child'’s file. All individuals must provide photo ID and be cleared by our front office staff according to the “authorized pick-up” card. In the event that a family must add someone to their pick-up list, it must be updated in person. After being cleared for pick-up, the child'’s teacher is notified of clearance for ultimate communication. As a policy, our teachers contact the front office if a “cleared” pass is not presented by the pick-up individual, for further verification. In addition, our facility'’s secure camera service gives our school the ability to archive footage throughout our building.11. Is the camera viewing service secure? Discovery Day Academy'’s camera system has received industry awards for being the most secure system on the market. All cameras are password and room specific. Families can only see rooms in which they have children enrolled. This technology is tested, reliable and safe; therefore we use it in all school locations.
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