Children learn by doing, and at PLASP, we encourage children to work with a variety of materials, in a variety of setting, with their friends and on their own.

The curriculum for PLASP centres is based on High/Scope approach to Early Childhood Education. High/Scope is a research validated curriculum that documents the positive effects children gain when they attend quality early learning programs. The basis of this approach is “Active Learning” which means that children have direct, hands-on experiences with people, objects, events and ideas. Children are encouraged to make plans and decisions, carry them out and evaluate them.

Our classrooms are set up to encourage active learning, by dividing up the room into well-defined interest areas for group or individual activities. The classroom is filled with materials that support a wide range of learning experiences that reflect the children’s family lives and community. The room is labeled so that children can find, use and return materials that interest them. The goal of active learning is for children to have “Key Experiences” that promote learning.

Throughout the day, staff plan activities that promote learning through social, intellectual and physical experiences that are necessary for a child’s optimal growth. “Key Experiences” are organized into ten areas which include social development (initiative and social relations), visual and performing arts (creative representation, movement and music), reading (literacy and language) and math and science (number, classification, seriation, space and time).

A sample daily plan would consist of the following:

1. Greeting Time - Children being welcome to the centre.
2. Breakfast
3. Outdoor Time
4. Small Group Time - A staff initiated activity that introduces children to materials and experiences that they may otherwise miss. Staff observe and interact daily with the same group of children.
5. Planning Time - Planning encourages children to articulate ideas, choices and decisions and promotes a child’s self-confidence and sense of control.
6. Work/Play Time - Children play with purpose, carry out their intentions, participate with other children and solve problems.
7. Recall Time - Children talk about what they have just done and what it means to them.
8. Large Group Time - Brings all the children together and encourages membership and leadership with group problem solving.
9. Lunch
10. Rest Time - Afternoon nap/rest time.
11. Outdoor Time
12. Work/Play Time
13. Snack Time
14. Work/Play Time - Parents arrive to pick up children.