Periodically, we like to shed light on fresh and new options for children’s classes and education. This time, we’ve spoken with Early Learning Foundations Preschool Director Vicky McLaughlin. With her help, here’s an intro to Gymtime’s ELF. —
1. For parents interested in exploring alternatives to
ISAAGNY member nursery schools, there is a range of options. Would you
elaborate on that, briefly describing the common options?
Parents in
NYC are fortunate that they have many early childhood educational programs
available as an alternative option to the competitive process of attending a ISAAGNY Preschool or Nursery. Two popular alternatives to
Independent/ISAAGNY Preschools include:
*Preschool
Alternatives (PSA): Non-school facility or day care
facility that offers drop-off 2-3 hour programs which mimic a preschool
environment (i.e. morning meeting, some activity, some free play, singing,
snack and cleanup). PSA programs tend to hire non-certified teachers and are
generally less academically focused and the curriculum is generally not skill-based
or progressive. Program schedules are flexible and are designed for families
who need or want day care types of hours. These programs are a good fit for
families with young children who are looking for a first-time separation
program and also to help a child feel comfortable and familiar with a
classroom-like setting before the start of formal preschool. PSA programs do not generally focus on
preparation for Pre-K or Kindergarten readiness. These programs offer open
enrollment and parents can sign up the month or week their child starts to
attend.
*Nonpublic/Private
Nursery or Preschool:
An early childhood program in which children combine learning with play in a
program run by professionally trained teachers. Children are most commonly
enrolled in preschool between the ages of three and five, though those as young
as two can attend some schools. Preschools are different from traditional day
care or preschool alternatives in that their emphasis is on learning and
development rather than enabling parents to work or pursue other activities.
Most programs are part-day, and range from two to five days-per-week. Preschools may
or may not have an admissions process, and are either for profit,
not-for-profit or can be funded by a larger umbrella organization, like a
church or temple community. These schools follow the provisions of the Board of
Health and NAEYC, including student to teacher ratios and guidelines for
teacher and educator qualifications.
2. In this context, your ELF program is an uncommon option.
Where does it belong on the spectrum and how is it similar to and different
from a ISAAGNY program?
Early Learning Foundations is a private preschool program owned and operated by
Gymtime
Rhythm and Glues,
and offers children and families high quality early childhood experience
through an emergent integrated curriculum, has contained classrooms,
experienced NYS certified Early Childhood Educators and all of the amenities of
a state-of-the-art children’s enrichment center.
ELF preschool
differs from ISAAGNY preschools in that there is no admissions or exmissions
process. Families can enroll by semester and pay tuition by semester, giving
parents a flexible and affordable payment option, and providing a flexible
schedule and per semester commitment. Additionally, the way that we design
curriculum for our population (ages 2-5) is progressive in that it is based on
an emergent model rather than one which is pre-prescribed and sequential. This
affords our teachers the opportunity to engage with the children on all
levels; meeting their social, emotional and cognitive needs.
3. Put yourself in the parents’ seat, what are the pros and
cons?
At Early
Learning Foundations, parents can be sure that their children are receiving a
very high quality Early Childhood Education, regardless of whether their child
begins with us in our 2s program and continues through to our 3s and 4s
program, or joins our community in the later stages of early childhood around
the Pre-K level. ELF admits on a first-come-first-serve basis, this relieves
the stress associated with an admissions process. Our Pre-K students in Older
ELF score extraordinarily high on the gifted and talented and ERB tests, and we
help guide parents through the process of entering into the Kindergarten
system. However, ELF does not offer the same level of assistance with
Kindergarten placement or ongoing schools’ admission process that is commonly
found in ISAAGNY schools. (This is commonly known among the preschool-savvy as
Exmissions.)
4. Going from the general to the specific, what are the
aspects of your program that families love the most?
Our
families love the community “feel” of ELF, the state-of-the-art facility and
specials like gymnastics and cooking as an added value of being a Gymtime
program and sharing the facility–and, most importantly, the nurturing, knowledge
and excitement that our highly qualified teachers bring into each classroom.
Relative to
the New
York City average cost of a qualified preschool, we are an affordable
program and offer flexible schedule options, making Early Learning Foundations
the perfect choice for parents whose needs vary in their children’s early
years!
5. Anything exciting cooking up in the near future? We hear
that the creator of The Hip Hop Coloring Book is coming. What’s that all
about?
We are
excited about our new 3s and 4s programs! While ELF has always been known to
provide parents with an amazing early 2s program and classroom experience, our
recent renovation and high standards for the professional qualifications of our
educators (they all have their Masters in Early Childhood), has
positioned ELF as a competitive and respected player among New York City’s
early childhood programs.
Our 3s and
4s program follows an emergent curriculum philosophy, this provides us with the
flexibility to engage families and expose the children to different cultures by
folding opportunities like James Shields and The Hip Hop Coloring Book into our classroom experience. We
are so excited about having the author visit our 3s and 4s classes!
James has recently received very positive media coverage for his unique
approach to introducing cultures to children. He was laid off of his corporate
marketing job in 2008, and since then has returned to his artistic roots, and published
a series of coloring books that enhance creativity while taking the reader on a
journey through hip hop, educating them about the genre’s pioneers and how
their contributions helped shape the world we live in. James will engage ELF
students through activities like draw-along exercises, movement, call and
response, and sharing during his visit at the end of May.
Additionally,
we are offering a series of Open Houses. Parents can RSVP and take a tour of
our facility, our classrooms, and meet and greet our Directors, educators and
staff members on the third Monday of every month. This gives parents a peek
into our program and the opportunity to answer any questions they may have. We
also offer private tours scheduled in advance.
6. Is your program a stepping stone to ISAAGNY schools, or
do most families use it until they are ready for kindergarten, public or
private? Does a preschool program like ELF somehow give children an advantage
when applying to ISAAGNY member schools?
Both! Depending
on the needs of the family, we ensure that children are ready for the next
step in their Early Childhood Education journey. Joining our two-year-old
program is a great way for children to learn about separation and independence.
They socialize, follow a structured routine and leave understanding how to be part
of a group. All of these skills are important should a parent choose to
transition to a ISAAGNY program; ELF children are well prepared for those
all-important “playdates” that are part of an admissions process.
More and
more families are choosing to stay with Early Learning Foundations preschool
for the high quality programming, and because they go on to be very
successful in public and private kindergarten programs.
For more information on the Early Learning Foundations program, visit gymtime.net/preschool/preschool.php.
