We believe that school readiness is more than just pre-academic skills, so we offer unique experiences that contribute to children’s overall wellbeing in ways that enhance learning. In addition to our play based curriculum, children receive weekly yoga, dance and music enrichment classes to stimulate learning. Because preschool is a critically important step in preparing children for kindergarten  we place a strong focus on supporting children’s social emotional skills, executive function skills and science exploration skills that engage children in learning.  The  YWCA New Britain’s full-time and part-time preschool programs that prepares children for kindergarten by focusing on the whole child. We provide rich learning experiences based on the CT ELDS framework. We believe:

• Children are capable and competent learners
  
  
• Children develop and learn within the context of culture and family
  
  
• Children need high-quality early learning experiences
  
  
• Children’s development varies and supportive individualization is provided
  
  

Our teachers work with an instructional coach to plan experience to meet the needs of individual children, the needs of the group, and the goals set forth in the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards.  This framework guides our teachers in planning learning experiences based on sound child development theory and practice. Working with families we strive to help children develop a lifelong love of learning.