Center description and/or teachers philosophical approach
The center identified focuses on helping children to develop emotionally, socially, intellectually, and physically while fulfilling their potential in nurturing and structured environments. The staff revealed that the center focuses on maintaining a healthy balance between supportive and non-competitive environment as well as a challenging environment that would allow the children to develop strong sense of values. The indicators of the philosophical approach revolved around areas where the institution encouraged the children to be independent, curious, and responsible while enjoying learning. The evidence of the philosophy of teaching and teaming observed entailed where the center allowed the students to work together on different projects to become effective learners.
Service delivery used
The name of the facility identified was The Episcopal School in the City of New York. The institution served children aged between ages 3 and 5 years. The institution operates daily while delivering services for three-hour sessions. The center director’s number is 212-879-976. The institution does not involve the family members with the parents leaving their children while attending their daily routines. The different services availed in the center comprise of various structured activities as well as free-play activities. The curriculum is age appropriate while allowing the children to develop skills via music, art, dramatic plan, cooking, and creative movement. It also avails field trips in line with interactive science activities. The data collection system utilized at the institution revolved around observation. This offered an opportunity for assessing the children and educating them as inseparable processes. The schedule for the center allows the students to meet for two-hour sessions in the morning and in the afternoon. Regarding my day of my visit, it was a typical day according to a daily schedule since I met the students in class undergoing their daily routines.
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Verbal description of physical layout
Regarding the physical center, I noticed the classroom was set up in such a manner that it allowed the kids to know where their materials went through the utilization of blocks in the learning center. The library was distanced from the dramatic play area allowing the other students to hear instruction from educators. With the Art Center being messy, it was set up on the flooring area rather than the carpeted one. The thing I liked about the classroom arrangement was the sanitizing/cleaning schedule in place of the material the students used. In the event I was to change anything, I would consider having fans to control the temperature of the room since I realized it was quite hot hence affecting the children learning. Overall, the layout was ideal in that it allowed the students to learn and interact with each other freely.
Activity Summary
During the observation, I noticed children going to distinct centers while they worked on different objects, including blocks and animals. Others would attend the library to read. The students in the library read silently while they were also provided with computers to use while using earphones to listen to audio about the different things they learned. The set up allowed the kids to interact with each other. Once the classes ended, they would head to the bathroom, with which I noticed that the kids had received training on how to take a shower. The children would then take a nap with music playing in the background. After the end of the nap, the children would place their things away, use the bathroom, and prepare to head home.
Analysis/critique of observation
For the facility, my reaction to it was an eye-opening one with the institution being effective with the set goals being reached. I developed an interest for establishing my own center after realizing the great help it offered children. The thing I liked about the facility revolved around the relationship that the educator and the students hard. They would work together to realize the learning goals while the teacher showed willingness to assist the kids whenever they faced challenges. However, the thing that I did not like about the institution was its smell, which mostly featured the one of old turpentine. From my observation, the thing that I felt worked was how the teachers approached the students. The thing that failed to work as one where the parents appeared non-cooperative while appearing to place the kids at the center to just allow them to handle their routines and come back later to pick up their children. From my perspective, the thing I would suggest for improvement is to encourage parents to participate in the programs that the institution taught. This experience would play a critical role in helping the students to gain additional learning benefits from the center.
Personal reflection
From the experience at The Episcopal School in the City of New York, I realized that early childhood special education is crucial to allowing children to develop social skills while at the same time improving their learning abilities. They realize significant improvements in their emotional, cognitive, and physical wellbeing. Here, I learned that exposing children, especially the ones with special needs to preschool is crucial to allowing them realize positive physical, emotional, and cognitive developments, which would guide them in their future wellbeing. Overall, I would encourage parents of children with special needs to consider taking their children to preschool owing to the immense benefits that the children realize, which allow them to become productive members of the society once they grow up.
