Belmont Weekday School is more than a daycare. While providing a safe a nurturing environment is very important to us, we are also focused on intentional instruction following a play based curriculum. Our curriculum is based on the TN Early Learning Developmental Standards. In an age appropriate way, we are committed to guiding children through each developmental milestone. Children that graduate are thoroughly prepared for Kindergarten in both academic skills and social development.
While the curriculum provides structure and a way to measure development, it also provides the flexibility to attend to each individual child’s needs. We know that children have different needs and connect to learning in different ways. The way our curriculum is implemented depends on the age group and the individual teachers, but our focus is to fully engage a child with play, reading, art, story telling, language, physical activity, science, math, and music.
Our program is split into three different levels based on age and development.
Early Learners (Ages 6 weeks-2 years)
Belmont Weekday School’s Early Learners classes are comprised of the youngest children in our school. The age range of the children in these classes are anywhere from 6 weeks to 23 months. Children in our Early Learners program are experiencing major changes in brain and body development. Educators guide students in learning key foundational skills that they will carry with them through life and support them while they grow. Educators promote physical development with stimulating activities that promote rolling over, sitting up, standing, and walking. Teachers help students develop language skills by providing a word rich environment and assist children with eating when they transition from bottles (EL 1) to sippy cups and finger foods, to regular cups and eating with utensils. Students also learn to play independently and engage in group and individual teacher led activities. In our older EL rooms, educators prepare children for the skills they will need as they transition into the BWDS Preschool classrooms.
Pre-School (Ages 2-3 Years)
Belmont Weekday School’s Preschool classes are composed of children who are anywhere from 2 to 3years old at the beginning of the school year. Children in our preschool program are walking, talking, and eager to learn and explore the world around them. Educators support students' curiosity and energy by providing meaningful learning opportunities everyday. Students are engaged in activities that introduce foundational academic skills such as literacy, math, science, art, and writing while enjoying guided and independent center time throughout the day. Students also develop key social emotional skills by interacting with peers and learning how to problem solve. Teachers help children learn self help skills such as potty training (PS 1), bathroom skills, making their own mat, opening their own lunch box etc. In our older Preschool rooms educators prepare children for the skills they will need as they transition into the BWDS Pre-K classrooms.
Pre-K (Ages 4-5)
Belmont Weekday School’s Pre-Kindergarten classes are composed of the oldest children in the school. Children in our Pre-Kindergarten program are anywhere from 45 months to five years old. The Pre-K program at BWDS focuses on preparing children for Kindergarten with teacher and student lead learning opportunities in a play-rich environment. Students are challenged to think critically while being introduced to new learning experiences. Our Pre-K classes work consistently on literacy skills and have a goal that students will be able to write their first and last names, as well as identify the letters and letter sounds in the alphabet before entering Kindergarten. Pre-K teachers also help children continue foundational learning in other academic areas such as math, science, social studies, arts, and writing. Pre-K students are encouraged to work together to solve problems and practice essential kindergarten readiness skills.
Art and mindfulness enrichment at Belmont Weekday School
At Belmont Weekday School, all classes take part in Art and Enrichment class every week with our dedicated Art and Enrichment teacher. We alternate one week of art and one week of mindfulness enrichment. Students participate in different child led art projects, social emotional learning, movement and mindfulness, and global citizenship projects.
SCHOOL HOURS:
6 weeks - 5 years
9:00 am-3:00pm or 8:00am-4:00pm
Monday – Friday
Extended HOURS:
3 years - 5 years
7:30 am – 9:00 am, 3:00 pm - 5:30 pm
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Other Enrichment programs at Belmont Weekday
All students in the 4 and 5 year old classes take a Spanish as part of the preschool enrichment curriculum. This is included with the student’s tuition. Early exposure to a foreign language can help a child be more adept at learning new languages in the future. It is also the time in their lives they learn language skills most easily.
Offered once a week during school hours
Available to students in the Pre-K 1 and Pre-K 2 classes
Only offered August – May
All students have music with Ms. Sheila. By singing songs that are fun and correlated to the material and topics being covered in class each student has the opportunity to express themselves through music and movement in an age-appropriate way. In December and March the Weekday School puts on music programs to showcase for parents the songs the students have learned throughout the year.
Offered weekly during school hours
Available during the school year and summer session
Available to all students
Twice a year music performances
Tippi Toes of Nashville is offered as an extra gross motor enrichment activity. This extracurricular activity is optional and not covered by tuition. Tippi Toes classes are held at the WDS and offered during school hours. Details about the class offerings can be found in the WDS office.