Our task is to help children communicate with the world using all their potential, strengths, and languages to overcome any obstacle presented by our culture.
- Loris Malaguzzi
Our Philosophy
St. Paul’s Childhood Center provides developmentally appropriate learning experiences and care in a safe, nurturing, engaging, and interactive environment. We believe the environment, along with provocations created by teachers, foster growth and development. At SPCC, we collaborate with families to create an inclusive atmosphere, develop strong relationships, and create a community of advocates. We recognize disparities and work for change.
Our Mission
The mission of St. Paul’s Childhood Center is to provide the community with an exceptional family-centered school for early learning. We view children as agents of their learning experiences, with valuable ideas worthy of exploration. SPCC seeks to foster educated, experienced, and professional faculty who guide children as they explore their world in many different and unique ways.
We have committed ourselves to, and actively engage in:
anti-bias education practices
collaboration with families
explorations of art and nature
partnerships in our local community
promoting access to affordable, quality early education
recognizing the importance of play
Respect.
We view children as competent, capable beings who are central to their own learning. We believe they have the right to observe and explore the world around them, the ability to pursue their own interests, and the desire to expand their understanding. We strive to help all children develop a strong sense of respect for self and others, and we celebrate the individuality of all persons regardless of age, gender identity, ethnicity, ability, socio-economic status, family structure, sexual orientation or religion.
Collaboration.
At SPCC, children are seen as collaborators who benefit from being part of a community with strong relationships to teachers, parents, and other children. Our students are encouraged to discover, communicate, and demonstrate their curiosities and findings through whatever means they can as teachers facilitate their explorations through observations, dialogue, materials, and shared experiences.
Our school follows a family-centered approach, meaning we see ourselves as partners with each family we work with; we encourage parents to be active and participate in our program and we use parent feedback as a tool for growth and development. We are a resource for families and welcome them to collaborate with us through any challenges they are facing.
Environment.
We like to think the environment functions as a teacher, believing the materials, learning areas, and organization of the physical space alone can help support and guide a child’s explorations and unleash their potential. How children feel in a particular space will affect how deeply they engage with the people and materials around them.