If you believe that individuality is priceless, that everyday counts to the building blocks of a child’s life, success is built on trial, error, encouragement and support; then Gingerbread Academy is the place for you.

We provide a special learning environment for children 2.5-5 years of age. Our enrichment house is bright, warm and inviting. We embrace the self directed style of learning; Montessori inspired. Children are eager learners and thrive in a structured environment.

Gingerbread Academy appreciates diversity and provides an environment where all children will feel welcomed and know that they are special.

Our mission/goal is to provide a developmental appropriate learning environment that challenges, nurtures and provides a happy and safe atmosphere for learning.

We learn through hands on experience, investigating and research. Our academic and developmental centers provide a place for children to strive to be their best. They learn not to be afraid to make mistakes, as they learn the natural steps in the learning process. The materials are just tools to stimulate the child into logical thought and discovery and allow children to work independently with minimum guidance.

Academics
We want to provide an early, positive educational experience, where the child will realize that there are so many wonderful things to explore and enjoy and learning can be fun. The opportunity for learning comes naturally, within well designed areas. Our Commitment is to offer theses areas that will guide your child to be their absolute best. Academic goals and developmental milestones are monitored by the by the parents.

Literacy:
Our abundant supply of books allows for selections of books to meet learning objectives as well as individual preferences. Knowledgeable educators create an atmosphere that empowers children to be and encourages confident, lifelong reading.
Communication skills: Spontaneous conversations and self-expression enable children to communicate their needs and become self-sufficient. Circle time allows time to share relevant experiences and practice active listening skills.

Math Concepts:
Manipulative activities are carefully chosen to allow children to develop physical coordination. Math concepts range from concrete to abstract and are developed through play and experimentation. Problem solving skills are continually promoted and reinforced. Our youngest children are able to recognize shapes and simple patterns. Children are taught to reason, calculate, estimate and problem solve.

Science:
Science is all about exploration and discovery. Our fun, hands-on experiments leaves children feeling wonderful about learning something new. Some of our science projects this year will include;
Planting a seed and watching it grow, experimenting with various properties of waters, watching the process of a caterpillar to a butterfly, studying objects collected during nature walks, primary and secondary colors.

Music and Movement:
All children are naturally musical/Listening to various music genres allows children to explore the voices, songs and instruments of other cultures.
Movement develops children’s large motor skills and fosters the development of strong muscles. Children acquire awareness of their body in space as they move freely around the room and it also teaches them to control their bodies. Our movement time allows for many fun and creative ways to move and exercise. Being able to get the wiggles out daily allows the child to focus and concentrate on more structured activities.

Arts and Craft:
Art is an integral part at Gingerbread Academy. We provide a variety of sensory activities using various media such as: tempera paint, watercolors, drawing, collage materials, play dough, finger-paints

Practical Life:
Practical Life skills are daily living skills needed both at school and at home. Theses skills lead to greater physical skills. They foster independence combined with a sense of accomplishment which ultimately leads to a stronger self esteem. Children take pride in participating in adult like activities in their own pace. Transferring liquids from one container to another, buttoning, zipping, snapping and tying, washing and drying of hands, proper use of utensils and table manners are practiced.

Social Studies:
Children will learn about the world and discover all the wonders that our beautiful planet Earth has to offer. Children will learn how to use a globe, learn about the seven continents and start to identify countries though their flags. Most importantly they will become acquainted with other cultures, their tradition and languages. They will acquire awareness of the large multicultural world in which we live through stories, songs, artifacts, and special guest. In addition children will learn to appreciate and sample delicious cuisines from the countries that they are learning of.
Diversity is celebrated at Gingerbread Academy. Parents are encouraged to join their children in presenting special cultural traditions, foods, and artifacts from their native countries. Celebrations of holidays from around the world enable children to recognize our diverse backgrounds, and have a healthy respect for our differences.
Developmental skills practiced each day

Walking inside
Purpose: To gain control of body
To avoid accidents with people and activities

Using only one activity at a time
Purpose: To aid in concentration

Retuning activities to their proper places
Purpose: To aid visual memory
To develop social conscience

Keeping all work on tray, rug or table
Purpose: To develop order
To aid in concentration

Asking politely to join a child working on an activity
Purpose: To give sense of ownership and rights of others
To encourage sharing

Group Time is quiet time.
Purpose: To learn listening skills
To learn manners in a group

Keeping legs crossed and hands in lap during group time
Purpose: To gain control of body
To avoid accidents

Using kind words; please, thank you, cover your mouth
Purpose: To exercise common manners
To avoid spreading germs
Gingerbread Academy offers two distinct programs:

Schedule and Sessions

*Our Academic Program runs from early September to early June.

*Our Summer Sunshine program runs for 8 weeks, divided into four two week sessions. “Made by me”, “Fun with Nature,” “Cooking for Kids”, “Water Fun” and “All about Sports”. Summer Sunshine starts in mid June. Applications are accepted on a first come first basis.

Session Options and Schedules

Parents may opt to enroll their child in the 2-day, 3-day or 5-day program as follows:
2-day option= Tuesday and Thursday
3-day option= Monday, Wednesday and Friday
5-day option= Monday through Friday

The Morning Session runs from 9:00am- 12:00pm or
The Afternoon Session runs from 1:30pm- 4:30pm

*A limited amount of full-time slots are available.
Full-time day is offered from 8:30-5:30pm.*

Our teachers are committed to continuing their education by way of classes, workshops, conferences and networking with other educators. Additionally all teachers have Early Childhood Education and have made a commitment to making a difference in the lives of children.

Motto:
“Small in size, Big in value”