Tiny Tigers Pre-K Program

Tiny Tiger’s Pre-K is an inclusionary half day preschool program for typical children and children with developmental delays who are in Alamogordo Public School D.D. Preschool.

PHILOSOPHY

In every culture the family is the basic social unit.  Throughout history, families have nurtured, cared for, and socialized their children.  The family’s role is to provide the basic necessities for children in which they receive emotional support and develop a sense of belonging.  However, the social, economic and demographic changes that have occurred have changed today’s family.  The lives of family members have become more complex.  Since more parents of young children are in the work force full time, we see more children in early care and education programs.

The single most important component, then, of quality early care & education and family support programs is collaboration with families and communities in facilitating the healthy development of your children.  A family-centered approach recognizes that families are the experts and primary decision makers for their children.  Developing and fostering respectful partnerships with families, school and community environments working together to help children grow and develop in healthy ways is the driving force behind Tiny Tiger’s Pre-K program.

TINY TIGER'S PRE-K PROGRAM GOALS

There is no single learning environment or universal curriculum that is “best” for all children.   The classroom environment and curriculum respect and support individual, cultural, and language diversity.  Tiny Tiger’s is structured in such a way as to promote each child’s construction of knowledge in their own way and rate.  This means that the environment encourages the child to explore, experiment, engage, question, interact and play!  Teachers provide opportunities for all children, regardless of ability, to develop understandings, skills, choices and judgments.  Instructional goals, objectives, and teaching/learning strategies are consistent with children’s level of development, individual needs and family priorities.

·        Provide pre academics such as: Science, Health, Math, Language,  Art, Computers, Music, Social, Water Play, Field Trips, Cooking and  Outdoor Play.

·        Focus on skills in the following areas:

o       Cognition (thinking) Skills

o       Social/Emotional Skills

o       Gross/Fine Motor Skills

o       Self-Help Skills

·        Provide these services with the advice, consent, and involvement of their parents.

·        Encourage parents to continue education at home.

·        Empower parents to advocate for the needs of their children.

Learning Centers – Daily, the children will have opportunity to visit various learning centers in the classroom.  At each center your child will complete different tasks focusing on different skills (ex: cutting/painting: fine motor skills & sequencing; Math Skills).  Learning these skills, while exploring within their environment, is challenging them to try and achieve successfully to the next new developmental level.

ADMISSION CRITERIA

Eligible children are those:

·        who are between the ages of 3 years and 5 years *who are developing typically and are not yet old enough for the public school

·        with a delay in one or more developmental areas, as determined by medical diagnosis, evaluation or informed clinical opinion.

RATES

ADDITIONAL SERVICES PROVIDED 

·        Referrals

·        Assessments

·        Parent Education & Training

·        Family Support

·        Nutrition

·        Additional Therapy

·        Joint Parent/Teacher conferences between North/Yucca/Holloman Elementary and Zia Therapy Center staff