Our School
Tarrytown Children's Center is a ministry of The Sanctuary. We provide a program of classes for children ages six months to Kindergarten. Each teacher receives a minimum of 18 hours training/enrichment annually. The staff is certified in CPR and First Aid. Our teachers believe that all children are a gift from God and understand the responsibility this implies. We know that you have entrusted your children to us and we will love and care for each child as a child of God. Children are our only business ... they come first in our hearts and dedication.
Our Purpose
The purpose of Tarrytown Children's Center is to extend the ministry and help accomplish the purpose of our church by providing quality care, education and development for each child to his/her greatest potential; spiritually, mentally, physically, emotionally and socially. This is accomplished by providing developmentally-appropriate activities and guidance, and by providing a program of ministry and outreach to the families of the children enrolled.
Our Curriculum
Our classes are open to all children regardless of race, nationality, or religious beliefs with the understanding that this is a Christian school where Christian beliefs are taught and reinforced. The curriculum is appropriately designed to the age group and stage of development of the children. Since children learn best through hands-on activities, lessons are built around play and experiential learning. We believe that children absorb their concept of God from people, things and experiences that are a part of their environment. Thus, a love and appreciation for God, Christ and all of God's creation are stressed through appropriate activities.
We agree with ideas expressed by Jean Piaget and Maria Montessori that children in early years learn primarily through their senses (sight, sound, touch, taste and smell) and the coordination of these abilities. Activities are designed to help the child perceive differences and likenesses in shape, size, color, pitch, volume, age, etc., and to learn to distinguish differences in letters and numerals. Children are encouraged to express understanding and empathy for those around them. They are also encouraged to use their own words to solve their problems.
We take it as our responsibility to teach the children about God and God's presence in today's world. The early years are a time of rapid physical growth and we provide opportunity to engage in both large and small motor development. Classes are arranged with learning centers, including art, blocks, creative movement, dramatic play, manipulatives, math, music and science. Children learn to play alone or enter confidently into a group already at play. Teachers work individually with each child during the day, and with groups at various times. They evaluate each child's progress daily. All learning activities are presented in the form of play, and children enter in enthusiastically by their own choice and never through pressure.
Our curriculum is based on the WEE LEARN series published by the Lifeway Christian Ministry, Nashville, TN. Many supplementary texts will be used to enrich this material.
"Remember, young children learn through play . . . so never apologize when children report, 'All we did today was play.'" - Shirley Raines