Curriculum at LilyPad includes the child-initiated and teacher-directed activities and experiences offered to young children that support and enrich their development physically, emotionally, socially, and cognitively. LilyPad uses the Creative Curriculum® for Infants, Toddlers and Twos and the Creative Curriculum® for Preschool as guides for planning the curriculum in each of its classrooms. Each of these curriculum programs is built upon a solid foundation of developmental theory and early education research, and the belief that each activity, routine, or experience is a chance to educate and expand upon what your child already knows about his or her world.

Rather than focus primarily on the learning of letters, numbers, colors, etc. the Creative Curriculum® for Infants, Toddlers and Twos the development of a child’s social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language skills. This is accomplished primarily through the formation of responsive, caring, and trusting relationships between caregiver and child.

The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool introduces academic skills like reading, writing and math yet still maintains a focus on the development of caring, meaningful child-caregiver relationships. SECOND STEP and Handwriting Without Tears® are school readiness programs used to supplement the Creative Curriculum® in our three- and four-year-old classrooms. SECOND STEP is a behavior management tool that helps children learn to manage and express their emotions in safe, constructive ways. The Handwriting Without Tears® program prepares children for kindergarten by developing such skills as language proficiency, fine and gross motor control, letter formation, and counting abilities through song, dance and sensory activities.

Each classroom at LilyPad is arranged in learning centers, which include blocks, dramatic play, books, gross motor, fine motor, and art. Outdoor play is important to a child’s physical development and is included in both the morning and afternoon schedule. Self-selection or “free-play” is a daily part of the curriculum and means a child has the opportunity to choose which center or activity he/she participates in. This promotes creative expression and development of important social skills.