4186 Broadway Street
Indianapolis, IN 46205
317-644-2700
Hours of Operation:  M-F; 7:00am-6:00pm
elc@sjoa.org

Dear Families:

We are so excited for the new early learning programs we will be rolling out for the 2019-2020 school year. The need for high quality Catholic early educational programing is critical for our community! As we have settled into the amazing new Early Learning Center, we have discovered that the need for quality early learning has outpaced our ability to accommodate new families. In order to welcome some of the families looking for a place for their child our programming will look a bit different than in the past. The Early Learning Center located at 4186 Broadway Street will only offer infant and toddler programming, while the preschool age children (3 to 5 years of age) will be located at St. Joan of Arc Catholic School. These changes will enable us to add an additional Infant Room and Toddler Room giving us the opportunity to welcome 18 new children to the Infant and Toddler Program. The preschool program will be expanding to offer several different programming options including part time, school day (TK), and extended day. We are also happy to announce that the preschool program will be participating in the state Pre-K On My Way program and the CCDF voucher program.

ENGAGING CHILDREN’S MINDS

The following educational philosophies will guide the work for our new curriculum and early learning environments. Our environments will be influenced by the work being done in Reggio Emilia Italy. The Reggio Emilia approach to early learning is focused on preschool and primary education. It is an approach based on student-centered, self-directed, experiential learning processes in relationship to environments. The work of Maria Montessori will also guide us in our curriculum development. The Montessori approach to early education emphasizes individuality and independence in learning. It is viewed as a process which should occur in harmony with the child’s individual developmental pace and their environment. The work of Sylvia Chard, The Project Approach tells us that children have a strong disposition to explore and discover. This approach builds on natural curiosity, enabling children to interact, question, connect, and problem solve. The Indiana State Learning Foundations will also be a guiding principle in our approach to learning. These educational philosophies all work together nicely as each speaks to a child’s development in terms of exploration and self-directed learning. All speak to a holistic approach to learning emphasizing all aspects of development and individually.
More specific details regarding procedures, classroom assignments, and teaching staff will be coming in the near future! There are several forms in the packet. They need to be completed as soon as possible.

It is my pleasure to be a part of the St. Joan Arc Early Learning Program where love and education come together!