HEALTHY MENU
Our attention to detail includes healthy meals with a menu we curate monthly. We believe a healthy meal fuels the children for fun and learning.
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Breakfast
AM Snack
Lunch
PM Snack
OUR EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS
The educational programs at Elm Tree Christian Child Care Center were created with our children’s needs in mind: to mature and develop in a safe yet stimulating environment. Take a look below to learn more about each program.
PRESCHOOL CLASSROOM
* We are currently full for the 2024-25 School Year. If you are interested in joining the waitlist, please contact Ms. Maggy at stpaulvpdirector@outlook.com
The preschool classroom focuses on each child meeting developmental milestones specific to their age, basic understanding of routines, and beginning to learn how to become independent.
We utilize Creative Curriculum in this classroom. The teachers plan the curriculum each week based on the interests of the children. The teachers also spend time every day observing the learning that the children are doing. Doing so allows them to determine how to help to build upon prior knowledge, to track developmental milestones, and how to scaffold their learning.
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This classroom is licensed for up to 16 children on any day with a teacher to child ratio of 1:8. You are welcome to send your child to our center for a minimum of 3 days per week with an option of a half day (less than 5.5 hours per day) or a full day (more than 5.5 hours per day).
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All classrooms utilize an app called HiMama that will allow for daily updates for your child. This is in place of a written daily report and can include pictures of your child, reminders, a short "blurb" about each day, or other important information that the teacher needs to share with all of the parents!
PRE-K CLASSROOM
* We are currently full for the 2024-25 School Year. If you are interested in joining the waitlist, please contact Ms. Maggy at stpaulvpdirector@outlook.com
This classroom builds on the skills learned in the Preschool classroom and focuses on getting ready for a formal school experience. We utilize the Villa Park school district's website to determine the things that the children who leave our program will need to know before entering Kindergarten.
This classroom also utilizes the Creative Curriculum. We also use Jolly Phonics, Heggerty phonics, and Handwriting With Out Tears throughout the week with the children. We consulted with the experts at the Villa Park, Lombard and Elmhurst schools and determined that these curriculum are what the local schools use in their Kindergarten classrooms.
This classroom has interest areas including blocks, art, science, math, manipulatives, sensory, dramatic play, computer, a cozy area with books, and a writing center.
This classroom is licensed for up to 17 children on any day with a teacher to child ratio of 1:10. You are welcome to send your child to our center for a minimum of 3 days per week with an option of a half day (less than 5.5 hours per day) or a full day (more than 5.5 hours per day).
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The teachers in this classroom utilize an app called HiMama as well.
CHRISTIAN CURRICULUM
We utilize two Christian curriculums in the classrooms. One is called Experience God, where the children are introduced to various stories from the Bible and they complete an activity (art, whole group, small group, etc.). We also utilize the Goldy Play Curriculum.
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What is Godly Play?
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The result of a lifetime of research and practice by theologian, author and educator, Rev. Dr. Jerome Berryman, the Godly Play® method is a curriculum of spiritual practice exploring the mystery of God’s presence in our lives. The Godly Play curriculum engages what is most exciting about religious education: God inviting us into—and pursuing us in the midst of—Scripture and spiritual experience. Godly Play® practice teaches us to listen for God and to make authentic and creative responses to God’s call in our lives.
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Godly Play is a creative, imaginative approach to Christian formation and spiritual guidance.
Godly Play has a Montessori foundation with 40+ years of research and practice.
Godly Play values process, openness, discovery, community and relationships.
Godly Play models the worship life, stories, symbols and rituals of Christian congregations.
Godly Play allows practitioners to make relevant and personal theological meaning.
Godly Play nurtures participants to larger dimensions of belief and faith through wondering and play.