1

32

G U I D I N G B E L I E F S

Education is a right of all children.

Children are born competent.

Children are co-constructors of knowledge.

Children learn in multifaceted ways.

Children are relationship builders.

Children are expressive.

Children’s learning should be observed,

documented and interpreted.

“Everything we learn about children

we learn from children.”

LO R I S M A L AG U Z Z I

E L L A , A G E 4

When the child comes to the doorsteps of the school, we welcome all of him and everything he brings.

V E A V E CC H IEducator, Reggio Children

“ ”

54

I N C L U S I O N

Peachtree Presbyterian Preschool is a program for children of all abilities. Peachtree supports inclusion because we value the rights of all children to participate actively in natural settings within their communities. We believe this type of learning is most effective for children.

Consistent with this belief, Peachtree has partnered with the Adaptive Learning Center since 2002 to provide the Inclusive Preschool Program. Each year the Preschool offers spaces in classrooms for children with special rights who participate fully in an inclusive classroom with assistance from special inclusion spe-cialists. Through their experience at the Preschool, children learn to respect and value the differences among people. The Preschool partners with LaAmistad to provide an inclusive early childhood experience for Latino children.

“The atmosphere at Peachtree sparks creativity,

encourages exploration and speaks to the

competency of children.” Stephanie (Pre-K Teacher)

P R O F E S S I O N A L D E V E L O P M E N T

The staff at Peachtree is characterized by the respect they give to children, families and colleagues. The educators collaborate through organizational structures—pedagogical steering committee, co-teacher planning, multi-age and small group meetings. They are dedicated and educated to the mission of early childhood education and see value in what they do as professionals.

Professional development is a strong value and priority for the teachers. The staff attends international and national conferences and conducts ongoing professional development within the school. In 2009, Peachtree became part of Project infinity, a formal early childhood collaboration that supports the work of seven schools in Georgia, Ohio and South Carolina through meetings, professional initiatives and Educator Exchange Days in collaboration with Amelia Gambetti, International Network Coordinator for Reggio Children and the United States liaison for consultancy to schools.

76

PA R E N T S E D U C AT O R S C H I L D R E N

Each class at Peachtree has co-teachers; inclusion specialists are in classrooms with children with special needs. Additionally, resource teachers and studio teachers (art and music) work with the children. A speech and language pathologist and occupational therapist provide support for children as needed.

Consistent with Howard Gardner’s belief of schooling for multiple in-telligences, the Reggio Emilia approach calls for the integration of the graphic arts for cognitive, linguistic and social development. Presenta-tion of concepts and hypotheses in multiple forms of representation—drawing, art, construction, music, clay, light and shadow—are viewed as essential to children’s understanding of experiences. We believe that children have multiple symbolic languages.

The work at Peachtree is inspired by the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. We encourage children and adults to explore, ques-tion and discover through rich and interesting environments. Through this process, children develop confidence and inde-pendence with encouragement from teachers, parents and the community.

Parents are an integral part of the community and a key partici-pant in the daily life of the school. Educators respect parents as the child’s first teacher and involve parents in every aspect of the activities. Through these actions, parents establish strong and respectful relationships with the school. By collaborating with teachers on investigations and projects, parents are able to understand and interpret the children’s work.

98

The large campus of Peachtree Presbyterian includes The Gym at Peachtree, LifeGate Counseling Center and The Lodge at Peachtree.

“Our daughter was excited every day to go to Preschool, and she came home with wonderful stories about her

investigations, which seamlessly incorporated lessons in science, art, language and math.”

Elenore, parent of four-year-old

“You can play at school but we don’t play by ourselves. We can be with someone’s friends.”

Maddox, age 4

1217

MEMORIALGARDEN

WELCOME CENTER

CHURCHNURSERY

CHURCHNURSERY

GYMNASTICSCENTER

OUTDOORCLASSROOM

STUDIOANNEX

STUDIO

PLAYGROUND THREE

PLAYGROUND TWO

BOO

KSTO

RE

PLAYGROUND ONE

1215

1213

1211

1209

1207

1105

1103

1101110012001202

E MUSIC STUDIO

1204

LIBRARYMECHANICAL ROOM

ART ROOM

MAIN OFFICE

MEC

HA

NIC

AL

ROO

M

MEC

HA

NIC

AL

ROO

M

COVERED PLAYGROUND

2112 A/B

CLO

SET

OFF

ICE

OFF

ICE

KITC

HEN

RESTROOM RESTROOM

LITTLE STUDIO

1233

1239

1231 1229 1227

Five/Six Classrooms

Pre-K Classrooms

Three-Year-Old Classrooms

Two and Three year-old Classrooms

Toddler and Two-Year-Old Classrooms

Multi-Purpose Areas

Playgrounds

Parking

1216

1214

1212

1210

1208

LIGHT & SHADOW

1110

AT A G L A N C E … . .

Founded: 1959 Ages: 18 months to 6 years old

Enrollment: Approximately 400

Staff: Preschool staff—58 Adaptive Learning Center—15 Administrative Team—6 Speech Language Pathologist Occupational Therapist School Nurse Librarian Studio Teachers Music Teacher

Accreditation: SACS CASI AdvancEd Hours: 8:45—12:15

Afterschool options on campus and off campus

Classes: 31 Peachtree Presbyterian Church: Approximately 8000 members • The Lodge

• The Gym at Peachtree • LifeGate Counseling Center

Professional Development : 25 hours annually per

staff member First aid and CPR biannually

Student/Teacher Ratio: • Toddler 10:2 • Two-Year-Old 12:2 • Three-Year-Old 14:2 • Pre-K 16:2 • Five/Six 18:2

Partnerships: Adaptive Learning Center

LaAmistad

Memberships: • National Association for the

Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

• North American Reggio Emilia Alliance (NAREA)

• Project Infinity, Inspired Practices in Early Education, Inc.

Beyond Preschool: 50% Independent Schools 50% Public Schools

Community Outreach: Buckhead Christian Ministry

City of Refuge

Organization: 501c (3) Not for profit organization

Shared Spaces: • Two Art Studios • Outdoor Classroom • Kitchen • 4 Playgrounds • Music Studio • Library • Light and Shadow Studio

M I S S I O N

Peachtree Presbyterian Preschool was established in 1959 as a part of the outreach ministry of Peachtree Presbyterian Church. The Preschool was created to provide an early childhood education program of the highest quality, founded on a firm commitment to God and a dedication to the highest professional standards. A separately incorporated non-profit, charitable organization overseen by a Board of Trustees, the Preschool serves at the pleasure of the Session of the Peachtree Presbyterian Church. Now in its fifty-fourth year, the Preschool maintains its Christ centered mission in its service to families of Peachtree Presbyterian Church and the surrounding community. Admission is open to all children of both Church members and non-members, without regard to race, creed, sex or national origin.

Central to the Preschool’s mission are its community outreach activities, which include support for the City of Refuge and Buckhead Chris-tian Ministry. Additionally, the Preschool offers enrollment opportunities for neighborhood students through the Church’s LaAmistad program and children with special needs through its partnership with the Adaptive Learning Center. The Preschool also offers tuition scholarships to families demonstrating the need for financial assistance. The Preschool programs are keyed to the developmental needs of its children, recognizing the uniqueness of each child and striving to meet his or her individual needs. The primary goal of the Preschool is to create an environment in which each child can grow spiritually, physically, socially, cognitively and emotionally and continue to develop a sense of won-der, an enjoyment of learning, and a positive attitude toward school.

12

3434 Roswell Road, NW | Atlanta, GA 30305www.peachtreepresbyterianpreschool.org

404.842.5809mail@peachtreepresbyterianpreschool.org

S P E N C E R , A G E 5