About US
History and Purpose
Play and Learn Preschool was
established in 1982 primarily as a Mother’s Day Out Program under the education
Ministry of Yale Avenue Christian Church. Over the years, the preschool has
evolved into a
Licensing and Stars Rating
Play and Learn Preschool is
licensed by OKDHS (Oklahoma Department of Human Services) and is a participant
in the
Days and Hours of Operation
Play and Learn Preschool is open year-round with the exception of certain designated times such as holidays and breaks. Click on Calendar for details.
The Preschool is open from 7:30
a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Friday providing an extended day for infants,
toddlers and preschoolers. Families may
enter and exit through the West doors of the education building of
Children may arrive as early as 7:30 a.m. but should arrive no later than 9 a.m. so that they will be present for all educational activities being provided. Children may stay as late as 5:30 p.m. but can be dismissed as early as 2:30 p.m. No Child will be released to a person without authorization. As a requirement for enrollment, release information must be recorded on the Enrollment Forms and / or at the time the child is brought to preschool.
For information on faculty and
staff, our students, curriculum, a typical day, chapel, food program,
discipline policy and interaction with parents, click on additional details About Us.
Leadership Team and Teaching Team
Our Preschool Director, Carla Story, manages our preschool. She has her Director’s Credential and over 20 years of experience in the field of early childhood care and education. Carol Barker, our Assistant Director, also has her Director’s Credential and has been on staff for 9 years. Fatiha Karimian, our Curriculum Coordinator and Specialty Class Teacher, has her Director’s Credential and has been on staff 9 years. Misty Story, our Financial Administrator and Communications Coordinator, has her Director’s credential and has been a staff member 5 years. Brenda Haynes, our Child Nutrition Coordinator and Food Services Manager, has her Director’s credential and has been on staff 2 years.
Our Teaching Team has varied levels of child care education and experience with many having been on our staff 4 to 8 years. Their educational levels include CDA Degrees, Master Teacher Certificates, and Associates Degrees. We maintain staff consistency and emphasize continuing education. All staff members are required to have a minimum of 20 hours of workshops and continuing education courses each year as well as CPR, First-aid Certification, and Food Handlers Certification. Our Leadership and Teaching Teams are comprised of loving and caring people bringing positive influence and care for your child(ren).
Our Students
Play and Learn Preschool provides a secure, clean and pleasant environment in which the children receive developmentally appropriate activities and experiences in a Christian setting. Because of the community need, we have made additional provision for infant and toddler care.
Infants (young) 1½ to 8 months
Play and Learn provides for the very young infants in the “White” room. Teachers work with the infants as they grow, guiding them in the development of their senses and personalities. This helps them to gain trust, feel secure and loved. Parents are advised at pick-up time through a daily report and dialogue with the teacher regarding the events of the day.
Infants (older) 9 to 12 months
As the infants develop and are ready, they are moved to the older infants area in the “Blue” room. A basic schedule is utilized including art projects and some curriculum. The infants are permitted to play outside when weather is appropriate and begin eating food from the kitchen. Parents are advised at pick-up time through a daily report and dialogue with the teacher regarding the events of the day.
Toddlers 13 to 24 months
As infants are ready, they move to the toddler area which includes our “Green - younger” and “Yellow - older” toddler rooms. Our toddlers enjoy the outside playground, learning centers in their rooms, building blocks and specialty classes such as exercise, music and Spanish. Our teachers assist the toddlers in learning how to deal with their feelings and emotions. Parents are encouraged to visit and share in their activities. Parents are advised at pick-up time through a daily report and dialogue with the teacher regarding the events of the day.
Preschoolers and Pre-K 25 to 60 months
These children have a busy day as they work through experiences presented in our curriculum which also incorporates Christian values and related themes. Centers of interest are provided including a center with computers incorporating games that reinforce basic skills in shapes, numbers, etc. They especially enjoy the shaded areas of the playground as well as the indoor gym. Also, they have the opportunity to be more involved in our specialty classes such as Spanish, exercise and art / music, in addition to attending chapel. Daily reports are provided summarizing the events of the day.
Curriculum
The curriculum at Play and Learn Preschool is centered around the provision of individual nurturing and professional care in a Christian environment. Our goal is to help the children develop a strong sense of self-worth in an atmosphere conducive to learning, and through the process of play, learn about the world around them. Our curriculum is not as much a method as it is a way of thinking and working with young children. The curriculum is planned according to its suitability by age group and includes opportunities to meet the different needs. interest, and maturation levels of the children. This enables the children to develop concepts about themselves, others and the world around them by observing, interacting with others and looking for ways to solve problems.
Various theme-based topics are explored by our children. By example, animals, family, and transportation are just a few of the many lesson topics covered which provide age appropriate, developmental activities related to the daily experiences of the students. These topics help to develop basic educational concepts through art, science, movement, language and math. Teachers incorporate concept games and activities in their circle time such as matching, sequencing, patterning, opposites, etc., then respond by observing and evaluating what the children do and how they react to the experience. Christian values are integrated into this process through the use of age appropriate stories and materials used to illustrate and celebrate the world God created for us.
Integrated into the basic curriculum are specialty classes that provide additional experiences for the children including Spanish, exercise, music and other cultural topics. Some exposure to computers is also provided to preschoolers.
Throughout the year special visits to our preschool take place such as Safari Joe’s Exotic Animals, Aquarium on Wheels, the Fire Department, the Police Department, the City Bus and live animals to name a few.
A Typical day
Preschoolers arrive to open centers of interest in their classrooms followed by breakfast. Group time with lessons, specialty classes and outdoor time complete the morning. At lunch, they receive a hot well balanced meal which is followed by a rest period. In the afternoon they continue with centers of interest, stories, snack time, music / art and outdoor time. Daily reports are available for parents summarizing the activities of the day.
Chapel
Once each week the toddlers and preschoolers attend a chapel service with our pastor or associate pastor along with our music leader. While chapel is not mandatory, we encourage all students to share in the story time and singing of songs. The children love to sing the B.I.B.L. E. song with body motions at the closing of chapel. This is a meaningful and beneficial time for the children.
Food Program and Meals
Play and Learn Preschool is a participant in the Child Nutrition Program. Well-balanced breakfast, lunch and afternoon snacks will be provided for all enrolled children who are capable of eating solid food. This is provided at no additional expense and is included in the tuition. Students with special dietary needs or those who desire to bring their own food, such as a brown bag lunch, may do so. Instructions will be provided by staff for those who wish to bring their own food. Carnation Good Start formula, cereal and baby food are provided as a part of the food program for infants. If your infant requires other foods or formulas, you are responsible for providing those items.
Discipline Policy
Our philosophy regarding discipline techniques is to help the children learn to control their actions and be responsible for those actions. Each child is told they have a choice in how they behave and warnings are given along with the consequence if the behavior continues. The children are given a verbal warning and told that they have a choice, they can choose to follow the rules or a particular consequence will take place. The “think about it” or “time out” philosophy is generally used for those who can’t make that choice and just need a break. Positive reinforcement and redirection of a child’s interest is more effective than a negative approach or “battle of wills.” Different classroom management techniques are used in each classroom to help children know when to “slow down” and re-think their behavior before they can continue with their learning. If a behavior problem persists, a parent / teacher conference may be necessary to help provide consistency between home and preschool. A parent may schedule a conference for any reason by contacting our Director, Assistant Director or your child’s teacher.
Interaction with parents
Parents are welcomed and
encouraged to participate in the preschool lives of their children. You are invited to visit at any time and
share in the ongoing activities. Various
events are planned throughout the year such as the Grandparents Day, Fall
Carnival, Thanksgiving Luncheon,
Parental Communication is very
important and is accomplished through various approaches including the Daily
Activities Report and our monthly newsletter, “Discovery Days”. Also, staff members are available at the
Welcome Desk to greet parents and students throughout the day and teachers
receive and dismiss their students from the classroom. We welcome the opportunity to visit with
parents and family at any time. In addition,
other resources are provided to parents from time to time in cooperation with
the
While parent consultations can be held at any time, the Spring Parent / Teacher conferences are usually scheduled in March to report on the progress of each student noting accomplishments and areas that need improvement. Throughout the school year, teachers compile portfolio records on each child which is a part of the IEP ((Individualized Educational Plan). This portfolio of information is provided to the parent at the end of the Child’s preschool journey with Play and Learn Preschool.
Expected Outcome
Our mission at Play and Learn Preschool is to prepare children for the coming years of formal schooling and life experiences by providing age appropriate activities that spiritually, socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually stimulate, nurture and build self-confidence in each student.
Our children explore various theme-based topics. By example, animals, family, and transportation are just a few of the many lesson topics covered which provide age appropriate, developmental activities related to the daily experiences of the students. These topics develop basic educational concepts through art, music, science, movement, language and math. Christian values are integrated into this process through the use of age appropriate stories and materials designed to illustrate and celebrate the world God created for us.