Program Information
Fisher Early Learning Center Curriculum
As an innovative and creative model of inclusive learning, Fisher Early Learning Center is committed to supporting the uniqueness of each child and serving children with diverse developmental profiles, including children with identified special needs.
Diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice are central to the mission of Fisher Early Learning Center, as we are committed to developing a community that embraces children and adults of all abilities and identities.
We believe that children learn best in a setting that supports strong relationships as a foundation for learning and provides high-quality learning experiences that are inspired by research-based practice and designed to create an optimal learning environment where all children achieve their full potential.
As a result, our curriculum is a blended practice pedagogy that emphasizes inquiry and play-based learning and refers directly to NAEYC’s Developmentally Appropriate Practice as our foundation. We use several evidence-based frameworks and curricula to create a highly engaging, individualized learning environment for every learner in our community and their families.
Principles
Principles of Creative Curriculum
Learn about the five fundamentals that guide our practice and help our teachers structure preschool programs in a specific way.
Principles of C4L
C4L aims to synthesize research-based approaches in four domains of learning: mathematics, science, literacy, and social-emotional development.
DAP
We refer to NAEYC’s Developmentally Appropriate Practice (2022) as a foundation to guide all our curriculum and instruction decisions. Fisher is a NAEYC accredited early learning center.
The Pyramid Model
Learn about the basics of the Pyramid model and Pyramid Plus in Colorado, whose goal is to is to increase the use of evidence-based, early childhood social emotional and inclusive practices in early care and education settings, including family childcare and in home providers. A majority of Fisher teachers are certified in Pyramid Plus practices, and Fisher provides regular training to teachers and family support in these practices.
PITC
The PITC curriculum stems from the relationship-based, responsive approach to infant group care outside the home promoted by the Program for Infant/Toddler Care (PITC) The PITC curriculum is designed to support the efforts of family child care providers and center-based teachers to facilitate the development and learning of children from birth to age 3.
Preschool/PreK
In the preschool years, routines, expectations, relationships, and the environment continue to be important factors in growing and learning. In addition, children begin to diversify their interests and assert their independence in various ways. Creative Curriculum addresses all areas of development and allows teachers to modify their instructional activities to meet the needs and interests of the children. The curriculum provides a comprehensive set of objectives to ensure that all developmental domains are addressed and a flexible structure to ensure that children’s voices and values are heard and respected as a part of their learning journey. Additionally, teachers follow the children’s interests by facilitating Project Approach curriculum. Children are encouraged to collaborate with each other, learning, practicing, and advancing their social-emotional skills and incorporating learning across all developmental domains. In the PreKindergarten year, teachers use Connect for Learning (C4L) and Handwriting without Tears as part of the overall learning experience to support math and literacy learning. C4L is an evidence-based math curriculum which is also aligned with the Pyramid Model framework; the curriculum offers math-based projects that support large, cooperative play scenarios for 4 and 5 year olds.
Infants & Toddlers
In the early years of development, establishing routines and creating a responsive environment are essential elements to building a nurturing caregiving environment in which very young children feel safe. Furthermore, trusting and responsive relationships with caregivers are also critical to a child’s sense of security. Assisting children to understand themselves and trust their environment is the focus of Program for Infant Toddler Care (PITC) and of Creative Curriculum (CC) for infants and toddlers. Promoting self-regulation and a desire to explore and engage in one’s environment is facilitated through strong, reflective relationships with caregivers and family partnerships. PITC identifies six essential policies to guide teachers in infant/toddler care: Primary care, Small Groups, Continuity of Care, Individualized Care, Culturally Responsive Care, and Inclusive Care.
