LILY PAD LEARNING CENTER LLC #1

With locations in both Illinois and Missouri, The Lily Pad Learning Center offers a range of programs for children from infancy up to 12 years old. While the source material doesn’t specify which programs are offered at each location, it does provide a comprehensive overview of their approach to childcare.

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Infant and Toddler Care

Lily Pad emphasizes individualized care for its youngest attendees, with infants on flexible feeding and napping schedules. As children transition to the Toddler program, a structured nap time is introduced in Toddler Room 1. This begins with a unified nap from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, and again from 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm. As toddlers mature, the nap schedule shifts to 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm, aligning them with the routine of older groups.

Regardless of age, Lily Pad prioritizes outdoor time, with all classes enjoying two outdoor play sessions daily, weather permitting. When indoors, they utilize age-appropriate spaces like the gym (IL location) or the multipurpose room (MO locations).

The curriculum for infants and toddlers, guided by the Little Goose/Mother Goose framework, is designed to be both educational and engaging. It covers areas such as:

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• Social-emotional development

• Physical development

• Language and literacy

• Mathematics and reasoning

• Social Studies

• Science

• Creative play

• Second language acquisition

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This curriculum comes to life through monthly themes, each exploring colors, letters, numbers, and shapes in developmentally appropriate ways. For example, “Winter Wonderland” in January might involve sensory activities with fake snow, while “My Amazing Body” in February could include songs and games about body parts.

Parents/guardians receive detailed daily reports on their infant’s and toddler’s activities, ensuring they stay informed about their child’s development and daily experiences.

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Preschool: The Tree Frogs

Children ages 4-5 embark on their preschool journey as “Tree Frogs.” This program blends the Mother Goose Curriculum with the Jolly Phonics Curriculum, a multi-sensory approach to teaching letter sounds and early literacy skills. Like the infant and toddler program, Tree Frogs features monthly themes, colors, letters, numbers, and shapes, all woven into activities designed to foster holistic development.

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In Tree Frogs, children are encouraged to:

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• Develop social skills through interaction and play.

• Build cooperation by working together on projects and games.

• Enhance listening skills through stories, songs, and teacher instructions.

• Practice sharing during playtime and group activities.

• Learn the importance of taking turns in various situations.

• Understand and follow directions, which is essential for kindergarten readiness.

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Beyond these core skills, Tree Frogs sparks curiosity and learning through:

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• Large and small muscle activities: These could involve anything from building with blocks to practicing cutting with safety scissors, helping children build both gross and fine motor skills.

• Creative expression: Through dramatic play, music, and art, children are encouraged to express themselves, explore their imaginations, and develop their creativity.

• Body awareness: Activities focused on body parts help children understand their physical selves and promote body positivity.

• Social studies and science: Engaging activities bring these subjects to life, making learning fun and fostering a love of exploration and discovery

• The daily schedule in Tree Frogs is structured to balance active and quiet times, ensuring children have opportunities to engage in both individual and group activities. This includes dedicated time for:

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• Welcome

• Free Play

• Breakfast

• Morning Centers

• Morning Opening

• Recess

• Jolly Phonics

• Snack

• Math

• P.E.

• Lunch

• Nap

• Conscious Discipline

• Weekly Theme Activities

• Discovery Time

• Music and Movement

• Afternoon Centers

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School-Age Care: The Bullfrogs

From Kindergarten to 5th grade, children join the Bullfrogs, a program designed to support their school journey and provide enriching experiences beyond the classroom. Bullfrogs includes both before- and after-school care and a dynamic summer camp.

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Before- and After-School Care:

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• Children are provided with breakfast in the morning and a healthy snack and drink in the afternoon.

• The program prioritizes homework completion, with a quiet, dedicated space for students to focus.

• Students without homework can choose to read or participate in educational center-based activities that align with state learning standards.

• Once homework is complete, options include outdoor play, time in the gym, creative crafts, or exploring various learning centers stocked with art materials, games, books, and manipulatives.

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Summer Camp:

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Bullfrogs Summer Camp offers a fun and engaging break from the school routine. The program features field trips, water days, and a range of activities designed to keep children entertained and learning throughout the summer.

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• Throughout all Bullfrogs programs, children are expected to uphold the center’s values of politeness, cooperation, respect, and responsibility. This includes:

• Sharing with others and taking turns

• Being kind and helpful to their peers

• Walking, not running, in the hallways

• Following all playground and indoor play rules

• Listening to and following instructions

• Using appropriate indoor voices

• Cleaning up after themselves

• Respecting personal boundaries

• Respecting and obeying their teachers

• Having fun while exercising good judgment

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Transportation

For students enrolled in the Bullfrogs program, Lily Pad offers transportation to and from school in their vans for an additional fee. This service is available for both the regular school year and the summer program.

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A Foundation in Conscious Discipline

One of the standout features of Lily Pad Learning Center is its integration of the Conscious Discipline program developed by Dr. Becky Bailey. This approach, woven into all programs from infants to school-age, emphasizes teaching children valuable social-emotional skills. Rather than resorting to punishment, Conscious Discipline focuses on:

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• Guidance: Providing children with clear expectations and redirection when needed.

• Kindness: Fostering an environment where children treat each other and their caregivers with respect and empathy.

• Gentleness: Responding to challenging behaviors with understanding and patience, helping children learn to regulate their emotions in a positive way.

• Respect: Creating a space where everyone feels valued, heard, and respected, which is crucial for building self-esteem and positive social interactions.

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Conscious Discipline equips children with practical tools, such as breathing strategies, to manage their emotions effectively. This proactive approach helps children develop self-regulation skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

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Parent Communication and Engagement

Lily Pad Learning Center believes in open communication with parents and guardians. They provide daily reports for infants and toddlers, and maintain an open-door policy for parents to visit, volunteer, or discuss any concerns about their child’s development or the program.