Our registration for the 2021-2022 school year has begun to open and potential new families are safely touring our program wondering if our school is the right fit for their child. So, what does early childhood education look like at Pinnacle?
We are inspired by the Reggio Emilia Approach. Studying the incredible work of educators from Reggio Emilia, Italy serves as a strong foundation for much of our work in the classroom. We see the undeniable capabilities of children as inquisitive learners constructing knowledge through relationships with each other, materials, and the world around them. Our strong image of the child corresponds to our image of teachers as researchers - partnering with children as co-constructors of meaningful, dynamic, and purposeful learning. Our curriculum emerges through documentation as teachers observe, interpret, and adapt to the ideas, hypotheses, and theories of the children in their classroom. For more information about the Reggio Emilia Approach: http://learningmaterialswork.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/ValuesAndPrinciples.pdf
Children need meaningful opportunities to learn in purposeful, engaging ways. We remain dedicated to providing our students with best practices in early education. Open-ended, child-initiated play paves the way for higher order thinking. Academic disciplines are integrated into our classrooms in organic ways that foster children’s natural interest. One example of this might be mailboxes that encourage children to write letters to one another, bridging emerging concepts of literacy and authentic relationships with other. Here is a helpful article highlighting the emergent curriculum at Pinnacle: https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/nov2015/emergent-curriculum
We are committed to the development of the whole child. Conscious Discipline is a framework for Emotional Intelligence and is the social-emotional curriculum utilized in our classrooms. Conscious Discipline is a shift from traditional forms of discipline through its emphasis on self-control, creating a compassionate culture and school family, and focus on internal motivation. Children are empowered by clear expectations, routines, and structures to develop interdependency and helpfulness. Grounded in brain-based research, Conscious Discipline allows children to strengthen the executive functions in their frontal lobe through developing self-regulation. For more information about Conscious Discipline: https://consciousdiscipline.com/methodology/
We are accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Research shows a direct correlation between high-quality early learning and children’s positive long-term outcomes in life, including increased educational attainment. NAEYC accreditation supports teachers in developing a shared understanding and commitment to quality and parents in recognizing quality early learning programs grounded in research-based education. For more information on NAEYC and high-quality preschool programs: https://www.naeyc.org/our-work/families/what-does-high-quality-program-for-preschool-look-like
High-quality environments include the outdoors. Our certified Nature Explorer playground nurtures children’s relationship with nature, cultivating wonder and curiosity. Outdoor classrooms are dynamic learning spaces providing nature-based play through research-based, field-tested design principles. These spaces support children’s imaginative play, increase their physical and mental well-being, and enhance environmental stewardship as children communicate their knowledge about the world around them. Children develop essential skills embedded in context through nature, such as initiative, literacy, math, science, social-emotional skills, and social studies. Learn more about Certified Nature Explorer Classrooms: https://natureexplore.org/
We hope you will join our Pinnacle community!
Priority Registration begins Friday, January 8th
Open Enrollment begins Tuesday, January 19th
Deadline for both Priority & Open Registration is Monday, February 1st
Placement Notification for 2021/2022 School Year is Wednesday, February 17th
