We recognize the uniqueness of each individual and strive to cultivate the special talents that lie within each child. We highly value the diversity that each child brings to the classroom and recognize it as an educational opportunity by teaching the concept that all people are different and special, and that this uniqueness of people comes from their various backgrounds, families, cultures, and past experiences. We understand that we are a community of children, parents, and families of various ethnicities, cultural beliefs, values, backgrounds, family structures, abilities, and learning styles. We strive to celebrate and learn about out commonalities and differences.

We will work to empower children to learn how to make competent and age-appropriate decisions in a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment. By encouraging independence and creative thinking and fostering a positive sense of self, children will be in an environment that will allow them to feel free to actively engage in the learning process and use their special talents to imagine, create, and explore in the world around them.

The child’s needs will be the primary concern and focus within the teaching/learning environment. These needs will be continually assessed as to bring out the greatest potential in each child. Child-focused practice will help to produce and effective positive change in children when necessary. A child-focused practice will involve actively listening to each child, trying to understand the perspective of the child in a given situation, conveying respect, using developmentally and age-appropriate responses, having realistic expectations for each child, demonstrating and teaching empathy, maintaining appropriate boundaries, accommodating individual differences, and promoting positive learning experiences where children are given the opportunity to be successful. These fundamental values within the child-focused teaching philosophy, will give children the greatest opportunity for success in a preschool environment.

A teamwork approach to learning will be utilized inside and outside of the classroom because it is beneficial in achieving positive learning outcomes for children, and it prepares children for future educational experiences in elementary education. This also impacts the motivation for learning opportunities in children as well as allowing them to take ownership of their own learning experiences. Collaboration between staff and families is very important to ensure that the child receives the most expansive educational experience possible. This may involve extended learning opportunities in the home environment as well as experiential learning activities as a school community outside of the classroom.

Obtaining leadership skills in early childhood education allows children to take control of the learning process and make competent age-appropriate decisions. When leadership skills are integrated into a curriculum, it instills confidence in children, allows children to become creative problem solvers, and allows them to work collaboratively with others. Leadership in the classroom has a positive influence on the social-emotional aspect of development in children. Leadership will be a concept focused on in the classroom when discussing social-emotional concepts and through the assignment of leadership roles within the classroom environment.

ISPS strives to connect with every family and believes that a strong parent-teacher relationship is the foundation to a successful educational experience. We value a relationship with families where there is mutual respect, trust, and open communication. We understand that entrusting your children in our care is a very important decision, and we strive to connect with the whole family on a personal level in order to convey respect and trust.