At Loving Beginnings Preschool and Child Care we are committed to the inclusion of all children and families regardless of ability, language, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or health conditions.

Educational Philosophy

            All children are capable and competent.  As an educator of very young children, I feel strongly about providing the best foundation for all children in my care.  The first five years of life are critical to shaping brain development.  Early experiences directly influence the child's learning and development.  Children must have opportunities to engage in meaningful experiences that support the foundation of future learning. 

           I have been strongly influenced by constructivist teaching practices that center the child and focus on their interests.  I have been inspired by the work of Loris Malaguzzi who founded the educational philosophy known as the Reggio Emilia Approach. The Reggio approach comes out of Reggio Emilia, Italy.  At the center of this approach is a core belief that curriculum comes from, and is driven by the children, that teachers are co-learners and researchers alongside children and that the environment (classroom) is the “third teacher”.  I happily embrace the idea that children are prewired as researchers of their surroundings!  I am committed to creating an environment that will inspire a love of learning and it is my personal value that I need to be constantly engaging in the learning process with children.  I have so much to learn and they teach me every day.

"Learning and teaching should not stand on opposite banks and just watch the river flow by; instead, they should embark together on a journey down the water. Through an active, reciprocal exchange, teaching can strengthen learning how to learn." 

 -Loris Malaguzzi 

            It is also my desire to build secure, attached relationships for children to feel safe, comfortable, and ready to learn from new experiences.  I see each child as unique and a valuable part of our learning community.  I respect the role of parents as the child’s first teacher and strive to work together with families to meet the need of all families.   Respect towards one’s self, others and the environment will be emphasized.  I believe in a balance of both structured and flexible routines to support children’s growth and development.  The job of the child as the researcher is to PLAY!  Test, experiment, succeed, fail, develop theories and have fun doing it! Our program has adopted the Oregon early learning framework.  Our curriculum supports Oregon’s Eight Domains of Development for Early Childhood.  Social and Emotional Development, Approaches to Learning, Physical Education and Health, Language and Literacy Development, Mathematics, Science, Social Science, and The Arts.  Children will have opportunities to gain independence by participating in daily learning experiences, and routines that encourage children to try things on their own at a self-driven pace.