Miami Lakes Congregational Church

arly Early Childhood Education Center and After School Program
6701 Miami Lakeway South....... Miami Lakes..... Florida 33014..... ((((305 822- 4769

A Message from Our Pastor

To children and parents of The Growing Place
We are excited that you are checking out The Growing Place, a pre-school and more. At The Growing Place, the education and nurture of your child is our top priority. As a Christian church, we know the value of passing on our values and commitments to our children. Please feel welcome at or school in every way. Also, if your family does not have a church family at this time, we cordially invite you to give us a look .

The Christian education program of our church complements the education and curriculum of The Growing Place and will help nurture your child in the paths of our Christian faith. Through our Sunday School classes and in the wider life of our church family, your child (along with your family) will learn the Christian story, along with the Christian values and commitments that we parents want so much for our children to have woven in to the fabric of their lives.
catch the spirit,
feel the joy …

Worship with us
Sundays, 10:30 am
Sunday School 10:45am

email the church

A Message from the Director

We are proud to offer a quality educational experience for our neighborhood children. Our school has been in operation for over 40 years.
We provide a creative, positive environment that allows learning and growth in all developmental areas.

Our fully qualified and loving teachers would love to teach your children. We have a well-rounded hands-on curriculum that is determined by the need of each child as an individual. Daily activities include problem solving skills, math concepts and language development. Their imagination is fostered through science exploration and creative arts.

Come see what quality education can do for your children!

                              Center Hours
                     7:00 am - 6:30 pm
          For more information,
call the office at
(305) 822-4313
(305) 822-4769
or
email the director

REGISTRATION
Registration for the school year takes place during April and May. We follow the same calendar as Dade Public School. Class assignments are made by the Director when the immunization and physical forms are completed. The children are assigned to classes with a special effort to balance each group.

PERSONNEL

Quality care and education for young children is expensive in that the commodity we are buying is the time of skilled and responsive adults. Although equipment is important, nothing takes the place of a nurturing adult. Every employee is professionally screened (fingerprinting, child abuse registry, local law enforcement check, and childcare training) before hiring. Our teachers are salaried professionals, some whom have been with us since 1983. Long tenure indicates a good and stable environment.

PHILOSOPHY

The philosophy of this early childhood center is based on the premise that children learn by doing, and if given stimulating, exciting and real experiences in a warm and loving environment, they will increase their awareness, develop sensitivity to themselves and others, and learn to solve problems creatively. The foundation for the curriculum is determined by the needs of the children as individuals and by the needs of the children to relate to the world with confidence. We provide a creative positive environment that allows learning and growth to be a continual successful process. The atmosphere is one of trust, care, love, acceptance, and a celebration of the uniqueness of each individual child.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM

Children are encouraged to make decisions for themselves whenever possible and
appropriate, to learn through actual involvement, and to participate in experiences
that provide opportunities for thewhole child to grow and develop.

Learning Center time is where the children take responsibility for self-selecting how they will use their time. The classrooms are divided into areas where the children play in small groups. The mind, imagination, small and large muscles are all used as the children involve themselves. Through investigation and involvement the children increaser eye/hand coordination, and large/small muscle skills. Interacting, sharing ideas and feelings gives them an understanding of their world and others.

Group Time occurs several times a day. First thing in the morning at Greeting Circle, the children are welcomed, we see who is here, and we talk about the weather, calendar and the work for the day. Later, Circle Time includes music, games, movement, stories, finger play and other activities.

Small Group is a special time when the teacher meets with a small group of children to work on planned activities, which are developed around the interest and abilities of the children. Each child is given materials of their own to manipulate, work with and investigate on their own. Teachers plan the activities and watch closely to see what each child understands.