Academics

Farmington Early Childhood Centers have a philosophy based on the interaction of the child and their unique experiences, guided and supported by staff, to insure the fulfillment of each child’s individual potential. We are committed to recognizing and adapting to each child’s individual differences and learning styles. This is accomplished through the use of a productive, developmentally appropriate play-based curriculum. The curriculum is implemented through the use of hands-on activities, which are child-centered and facilitated by the teaching staff.         

Farmington Early Childhood Center programs utilize the HighScope Preschool Curriculum. Staff has received training in the curriculum as well as ongoing training to continue the Michigan Early Learning Expectations as well as NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) Accreditation Criteria for Curriculum. The High Scope Curriculum also aligns with eight content areas, which are based on the dimensions of school readiness identified by the National Education Goals Panel. High Scope’s curriculum content areas are:

• Approaches to learning
• Social and emotional development
• Physical development and health
• Language, literacy, and communication
• Mathematics
• Creative arts
• Science and technology
• Social studies  

While learning in these content areas prepares children for later schooling, High Scope takes the learning beyond traditional academic subjects by applying methods that promote independence, curiosity, decision-making, cooperation, persistence, creativity, and problem-solving in young children. 

HighScope Key Development Indicators- In High Scope Preschool Curriculum, learning in these eight areas is guided by 58 key developmental indicators (KDIs) that meet all state standards. Each KDI is linked to one of the dimensions of school readiness, and each is a statement that identifies an observable child behavior reflecting knowledge and skills in those areas.

Alignment of the Michigan Early Learning Expectations for Three- and Four-Year-Old Children With HighScope’s Preschool Key Developmental Indicators

Alignment of COR Advantage with Michigan Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Prekindergarten

Child Observation Record (COR)

At the Farmington Early Childhood Center, our early childhood programs use the research-based HighScope Preschool Curriculum, aligned to Michigan’s Early Learning Expectations and built to support kindergarten readiness. HighScope’s Key Developmental Indicators guide learning across the whole child, including social-emotional growth, language and early literacy, math thinking, creativity, science, and more. With strong teacher-child interaction, a purposeful daily routine, an engaging classroom environment, and ongoing progress checks, children learn through active, hands-on experiences. To learn more, visit highscope.org.