Smarty Pants Academy
ABOUT US
Since 2004, Smarty Pants Academy formally Young Enthusiastic Scholars was founded on the principle that parents should have quality, reliable and affordable child care for their children. Our goal is to prepare children for their future by giving them the tools and experience to navigate through life. Our vision is to work in partnership with families and our community to provide a developmentally appropriate learning community which promotes and supports the growth of the “whole child” and instill a love of learning and making dreams into reality.
Our philosophy is that a truly high-quality Center provides excellent early care, education, a high level of health and safety, as well as opportunities for parent education and involvement. Warm, supportive, and respectful relationships between adults and children lie at the heart of an effective partnership between parent and school. We believe that early care and education (ECE) centers can and must be the place where children, parents and caregivers, and teachers alike can feel a sense of belonging and safety. These are the key values of our program.
The center does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers and vendors, and provision of services. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our staff, clients, volunteers, subcontractors, vendors, and clients.
The center is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee or job applicant on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran's status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.
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Early Preschool
2 1/2 to 3 Years Old
Preschool/Pre-K Age
3 to 5 Years Old
School Age Programs
5 to 13 years
GOALS
To develop a love of learning
To maximize his/her physical, emotional, and intellectual capabilities
To learn positive problem-solving skills and conflict resolution skills with peers
To build self-esteem by identifying choices, solving problems, and making decisions
To develop healthy eating habits through good nutrition and manners during mealtime
To learn to be curious about the world through exposure to the community and other special events
To understand and appreciate diversity through language, play, art, music, drama, dance, and science
To have positive relationships with peers by learning to share and interact with other children
Preschool/Pre-K Age Group: 3 to 5 Years Old
The preschool program is driven by a developmentally appropriate school readiness curriculum. The daily schedule includes circle time and enriched activities that build literacy and social skills and activities that offer child-directed choices and teacher-facilitated activities. The weekly lesson plans are posted and available for parents to review.
School Age Programs: 5 to 13 years
The “Before & After School” program provides a supervised, educational environment for school-aged (SA) children with a balance of learning and fun. It is rich in personal interaction between teachers and students and provides special field trips, events, and activities. The program is open as a full-day program during school vacations and summer break.
Early Preschool: 2 1/2 to 3 Years Old
Children in this age group are becoming more independent and verbal about their needs and preferences. This communication is encouraged in the classroom. The more children can express their wishes, the less likely they are to use physical force to get what they want or need.
Learning to do things independently is the primary focus for children in this age group. In the classroom, teachers will be helping children learn to put on and take off their shoes, coats, and hats by themselves, prepare their nap mats, set the table, and clear their own plate. This is very important preparation for preschool.
The children in this age group are also focused on learning to use the toilet and are encouraged to practice wearing underwear. Toilet learning is supported by having a child-sized toilet and promoting independence.
Outside Play
Outside play is part of our daily curriculum and includes going to the playground, walking around the neighborhood, playing in the park. Outside play encourages children to explore and develop their gross motor skills. The Child Care Licensing regulations require daily outside exercise for children as long as the weather is not too hot or too cold. Children go outside for at least one hour every day. In cases of inclement weather the children will play in one of our two indoor gross motor rooms, one for infants and toddlers and one for older children. The weather is considered inclement if:
• The temperature outside is below 25 degrees or above 95 degrees for children in the Early Preschool, Preschool, and School Age classrooms, or
• The temperature outside is below 32 degrees and above 95 degrees for children in the Infant, Toddler and classrooms even if it is just for a minute to get fresh air.