Philosophy

The philosophy of Parachute Express Playschool is designed to provide numerous and varied opportunities to facilitate and guide children in physical development, intellectual development, language development, emotional development and social development, in accordance with each child’s unique needs. The philosophy of our school is based on the following three tenets:

1. The importance of play as a learning tool
2. Allowing children the freedom to make their own choices
3. Ensuring that each child possesses the rights to which they are entitled

Play, both indoors and out, acts as a vehicle to children that cultivates their minds and their bodies by helping them to understand their world and become active participants in it. Through play, children develop their fine and gross motor skills, and learn appropriate ways to socialize and utilize personal relationships. They learn about their culture and society. They learn how to cooperate and share with others. Play encourages positive attitudes and motivates children to take risks and become more adventurous. Play inspires innovation and allows children to work through personal problems and to sort out feelings. In essence, play is the child’s tool for learning all about life.

Throughout the play experience, the teachers at Parachute Express Playschool will encourage the children to choose their own activities, allowing them time to play spontaneously and to make decisions and choices for themselves. A child given this type of freedom in play will develop independence and self-reliance, which, in turn, will promote a positive self-concept, self-confidence and self-esteem.

Within our school, we will strive to meet the emotional, social, intellectual and physical rights of which all children are entitled. A child in our setting shall be entitled to the emotional right to:

• feel supported, whether feelings are positive or negative;
• to feel accepted, secure and loved;
• a sense of order, routine and consistency;
• realistic expectations, clear limits and positive guidance, with encouragement toward self-responsibility for actions;
• respect for individual ethnic and cultural differences;
• courtesy and support for his/her parents, as well as opportunities for parental input and access to parent resource materials.

A child in our setting shall be entitled to the social right to express his/her ideas, views and opinions and to have real input into the program. They will also have ample, varied and changing play materials, teachers who serve as good role models, opportunities for both group and individual learning experiences, and freedom from pressure to be busy and/or participating at all times.

A child in our classroom shall be entitled to the intellectual right to a quality education geared to his/her developmental level, based on learning through play, and focusing on the whole child. We offer a varied and challenging program including areas such as science/nature, math, social studies, language, literature, sensory play, manipulative/fine motor play, dramatic play, music, art and physical education. Our program, which incorporates spontaneous, self-chosen play exploration, as well as teacher planned and organized activity, is structured so that each child can progress at his/her own rate and reach his/her fullest potential.

A child at Parachute Express shall be entitled to the physical right to close supervision, at all times, to ensure safety. A child has the right to feel physically safe and supported, to good nutrition, clean conditions and a comfortable, inviting, stimulating, well-designed classroom to provide enriched sensory experiences and a large play area for big muscle activities.

Throughout the year, the teachers of Parachute Express Playschool will evaluate and re-evaluate our program and our philosophy to ensure that optimal opportunities are being presented to encourage the play experience, freedom of choice in play and to ensure that the children’s rights are being fully supported.