Little Dove Learning Center (LDLC) provides quality care for children ages 6 weeks to 4 years. We will provide childcare services including  opportunities and encouragement to explore on different levels for all the children.  Every child has special and unique needs that LDLC can meet.  Our belief is that children learn and grow best in a safe, healthy, loving, caring, nurturing, creative and clean environment.  We are committed to providing that environment and in creating a strong bond with your child to ensure the best start of life in order to sustain a strong educational foundation.  LDLC is a learning center that feels like home.

Our programs are based on the first natural steps to learning, which is PLAY.  The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) states “Research shows that child guided, teacher-supported play benefits children in many ways. When children play, they engage in many important tasks, such as developing and practicing newly acquired skills, using language, taking turns, making friends, and regulating emotions and behavior according to the demands of the situation. This is why play needs to be a significant part of the young child’s day” (Copple & Bredekamp 2009, p.328).     Our daily routines and activities are based on the High Scope Framework.



INDOOR ACTIVITIES

Activities are children led interests and faciliated by the teacher in the classroom. 
Greeting Time: review the day's events through songs, rhymes, and chants; letter links, shapes, colors, etc
Worktime: children work "play" in their areas of choice, areas include art, house, toy, block, book/puppet and writing areas
Snacktime: children will engage in a social type of snacktime with peers and teacher
Outside Time: children will participate in outdoor play
Small Group Time:  children will engage in exploration, object manipulation, product creativity projects that are usually child led and initiated through children's interests and or development of skills
Large Group Time:  children will participate in story/music and movement type activities that include story telling, dancing, and moving large muscles in coordination

OUTDOOR PLAY

We will be playing outside every morning and afternoon. During spring and fall for about 45 minutes, and in the summer 30 minutes or more as the weather permits. We will not go out in extreme weather conditions. Please make sure your child is appropriately dressed for outdoor activites with adequate feet protection.
Our activities will include sand and water play, car, trucks, tricycle, nature walks, picnics, outdoor painting activties/sidewalk chalk, and splash time during summer.



AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

We will have an after school program starting at 3:00pm - 6:00pm for ages 5 years to 11 years of age.
Please call about picking up at your child's school.