Enrollment
Parents seeking enrollment for their child at Bethany Stepping Stones are invited to tour the Center and meet the staff. During the tour, parents are given information about the Center and a registration form.
Enrollment is considered according to the date on which registration forms are received. When positions are not available in our classrooms, a waiting list is maintained from which vacancies are filled. Priority is given to families currently enrolled in our program, to families seeking full-time enrollment, and to the children of employees.
Educational Policy
Early learning experiences are critical for a child’s development. Bethany Stepping Stones’ program is designed to provide learning experiences which enhance every aspect of a child’s spiritual, intellectual, physical, emotional and social growth and development.
To encourage learning about Christian faith, children are taught about God and His love through the Center’s atmosphere and daily activities, including, but not limited to, Bible stories, prayers, music, art, and daily conversations. Christian values, such as sharing and kindness, are incorporated into daily planning and guidance techniques. Holiday celebrations focus on religious rather than secular aspects of the holiday.
Using Jesus as the perfect example of love for all, we offer many opportunities for the children to interact with adults and other children. Individual differences are treated as God’s way of creating each person unique and special. We also provide activities that help children to recognize and to respect personal and cultural differences.
Classrooms are arranged with equipment and materials appropriate for the ages of the children in each room. Tables, chairs and toy shelves are placed low to the ground for the children. Shelves are filled with toys for exploration and learning about colors, shapes, numbers, letters and other concepts. Learning materials are accessible to the children at all times.
Believing that children learn best through a hands-on approach, we offer activities through learning centers, where children become involved in self-directed, teacher-monitored exploration of materials. Once the children reach the toddler rooms, classrooms are arranged in learning centers such as blocks, dramatic play (housekeeping), sensory table, book corner, small manipulative materials, creative art, science and music areas.
Art is available every day. We focus on the process of creating rather than the end product. Process involves the child manipulating, experimenting and exploring art materials. The final product is an individualistic and joyful display of the art experience. At times, only your child, the artist, can tell you exactly what the end product is. The children are introduced to a wide variety of materials and textures to use in their creations. In addition to creative art during ‘center time’, crayons, washable markers, stencils and paper are available during early and late day activities.
The children occasionally have special activities in the classroom as well. Teachers enjoy cooking with the children and “traveling” to other countries as they learn about other cultures. During our safety and health units, we invite community helpers to visit the children. Field trips are also incorporated into the curriculum to broaden the children’s learning experiences.