Early Childhood School

Where Fostering a Lifetime Love of Learning Begins.

The MVS early childhood school curriculum incorporates the best of various educational philosophies, including Responsive Classroom, Reggio Emilia, and Montessori, while giving attention to Howard Gardner’s theory of multiple intelligences to develop curriculum that is based on the children’s interests. Experienced faculty adhere to developmentally appropriate practices to support self-guided, investigative, immersive learning. A primary focus of the early childhood school program lies in the social-emotional development of children.

While every day in the early childhood school involves hands-on learning, the early childhood school academic calendar includes a two-week Immersion Term, during which children dive into topics of interest, studying in multi-age groups with dedicated teachers. Past early childhood school Immersions include “Castles , Catapults, and Dragons,” “Space Invaders,” and “Calling All Cats.”

The sign of a good day at the MVS early childhood school is when our students leave school a little messy– leftover paint, sand, and glue still sticking to them. These are all good indicators the children spent their day exploring, touching, feeling, and asking questions.

Students are surrounded by a team of supportive, seasoned teachers who are dedicated to creating a warm, safe, and nurturing environment where a child’s learning and imagination take flight. Our teachers are dedicated to discovering the world with our youngest learners, celebrating “firsts,” and empowering them to use their words to express their ideas and behavior toward others.

Second-year early childhood school students (EC2) have a full-day schedule from 8:05 a.m.-3:05 p.m. First-year early childhood school students (EC1) may enroll for full or half-day school. See below for example schedules.

Early Childhood Schedules

Second Year Schedule (Full Day) First Year Schedule (Full Day) First Year Schedule (Half Day)

Second Year Schedule (Full Day)

7:45-8:05 a.m.	Drop Off Parents pull up to the EC entrance, and let a teacher assist you with dropping off your child.
7:45-8:20 a.m.	Morning Routine We begin each morning with the same routine, starting with the children washing their hands, listening to the morning message and signing in, then it’s off to play ‘til morning meeting. We realize the importance of consistency and structure in our children’s lives.
8:25 a.m.	Morning Meeting We begin each day building relationships with a greeting and a responsive classroom meeting. This is a great opportunity to incorporate the responsive classroom curriculum into our day. Responsive classroom and MVS both focus on creating a positive community where our children’s social and emotional development is at the forefront.
8:35-10:45 a.m.	Mini Lessons, Open Exploration, and Outside Play Children are divided into four groups with a lead teacher and teacher assistant in each group. Numerous philosophies such as the Reggio Method, Waldorf, and Montessori are incorporated into our center time. While all the children explore the same subject matter, each teaching team brings their own creativity into the learning and exploration. Children also eat a nutritious snack during this time. Children need numerous opportunities daily to stretch their muscles, roll down the hill, explore the climbing wall, or build a volcano in the sandbox. Children will spend time outdoors each morning if it is above 20 degrees. We follow the lower school schedule and the six day rotation.
10:40-11:20 a.m.	Co-curriculars Our co-curricular schedule follows a six day “color rotation” based on the colors of the rainbow. Co-curriculars include Spanish, Mandarin, physical education, performing arts, and library.
11:50 a.m.-12:30 p.m.	Lunch Children come inside, wash hands, and sit down for lunch. They eat lunch they brought from home or the meal that was ordered from the school lunchroom. Teachers sit and eat with the children. This is a great time for conversation and independence.
12:45-2:10 p.m.	Rest and Afternoon Stations In accordance with the Ohio Department of Education, all first year children (3-4 year olds) are provided a time to rest after lunch. Our second year students (4- 5 year olds) also rest at the beginning of the year as they adjust back to school. Yoga mats and flannel blankets are used by the children for rest time.In the fall, the students who will be going to kindergarten the following year will participate in our pre-kindergarten activities. All activities are geared towards enhancing and solidifying our children’s social, emotional, fine motor, gross motor, and cognitive development. We want the whole child to be ready for kindergarten.
2:10-2:40 p.m.	Back Outside to End Our Day Another great time to ride a bike or build with the blocks. If the weather is uncooperative, the teachers will provide engaging activities such as art projects, dancing, puzzles, reading, etc. for the children.
2:45-3:05 p.m.	Dismissal Students can picked up between 2:45pm – 3:05pm. Parents will pull up to the EC gate and teachers will walk children out to their car. After 3:05pm, all children will go to Kid’s Club (Extended Day). Children with siblings in lower, middle, or upper school are dismissed at 3:30pm with their siblings.
3:05 p.m.	Kids Club After school care for children limited to reservations only due to physical distancing restrictions.

First Year Schedule (Full Day)

7:45-8:05 a.m.	Drop Off Parents pull up to the EC entrance, and let a teacher assist you with dropping off your child.
7:45-8:20 a.m.	Morning Routine We begin each morning with the same routine, starting with the children washing their hands, listening to the morning message and signing in, then it’s off to play ‘til morning meeting. We realize the importance of consistency and structure in our children’s lives.
8:25 a.m.	Morning Meeting We begin each day building relationships with a greeting and a responsive classroom meeting. This is a great opportunity to incorporate the responsive classroom curriculum into our day. Responsive classroom and MVS both focus on creating a positive community where our children’s social and emotional development is at the forefront.
8:35-10:45 a.m.	Mini Lessons, Open Exploration, and Outside Play Children are divided into four groups with a lead teacher and teacher assistant in each group. Numerous philosophies such as the Reggio Method, Waldorf, and Montessori are incorporated into our center time. While all the children explore the same subject matter, each teaching team brings their own creativity into the learning and exploration. Children also eat a nutritious snack during this time. Children need numerous opportunities daily to stretch their muscles, roll down the hill, explore the climbing wall, or build a volcano in the sandbox. Children will spend time outdoors each morning if it is above 20 degrees. We follow the lower school schedule and the six day rotation.
10:40-11:20 a.m.	Co-curriculars Our co-curricular schedule follows a six day “color rotation” based on the colors of the rainbow. Co-curriculars include Spanish, Mandarin, physical education, performing arts, and library.
11:30 a.m.	Half-day Dismissal Children who are signed up for our half day school are picked up at this time. Parents will pull up to the EC gate and teachers will walk children to their car.For those who stay for the full day, students either continue playing outside or, depending upon the energy level of the group that day, they may come inside to engage in a singing or movement activity, participate in story time, or sit down with a puzzle.
11:50 a.m.-12:30 p.m.	Lunch Children come inside, wash hands, and sit down for lunch. They eat lunch they brought from home or the meal that was ordered from the school lunchroom. Teachers sit and eat with the children. This is a great time for conversation and independence.
12:45-2:10 p.m.	Rest and Afternoon Stations In accordance with the Ohio Department of Education, all first year children (3-4 year olds) are provided a time to rest after lunch. Our second year students (4- 5 year olds) also rest at the beginning of the year as they adjust back to school. Yoga mats and flannel blankets are used by the children for rest time.In the fall, the students who will be going to kindergarten the following year will participate in our pre-kindergarten activities. All activities are geared towards enhancing and solidifying our children’s social, emotional, fine motor, gross motor, and cognitive development. We want the whole child to be ready for kindergarten.
2:10-2:40 p.m.	Back Outside to End Our Day Another great time to ride a bike or build with the blocks. If the weather is uncooperative, the teachers will provide engaging activities such as art projects, dancing, puzzles, reading, etc. for the children.
2:45-3:05 p.m.	Dismissal Students can picked up between 2:45pm – 3:05pm. Parents will pull up to the EC gate and teachers will walk children out to their car. After 3:05pm, all children will go to Kid’s Club (Extended Day). Children with siblings in lower, middle, or upper school are dismissed at 3:30pm with their siblings.
3:05 p.m.	Kids Club After school care for children limited to reservations only due to physical distancing restrictions.

First Year Schedule (Half Day)

7:45-8:05 a.m.	Drop Off Parents pull up to the EC entrance, and let a teacher assist you with dropping off your child.
7:45-8:20 a.m.	Morning Routine We begin each morning with the same routine, starting with the children washing their hands, listening to the morning message and signing in, then it’s off to play ‘til morning meeting. We realize the importance of consistency and structure in our children’s lives.
8:25 a.m.	Morning Meeting We begin each day building relationships with a greeting and a responsive classroom meeting. This is a great opportunity to incorporate the responsive classroom curriculum into our day. Responsive classroom and MVS both focus on creating a positive community where our children’s social and emotional development is at the forefront.
8:35-10:45 a.m.	Mini Lessons, Open Exploration, and Outside Play Children are divided into four groups with a lead teacher and teacher assistant in each group. Numerous philosophies such as the Reggio Method, Waldorf, and Montessori are incorporated into our center time. While all the children explore the same subject matter, each teaching team brings their own creativity into the learning and exploration. Children also eat a nutritious snack during this time. Children need numerous opportunities daily to stretch their muscles, roll down the hill, explore the climbing wall, or build a volcano in the sandbox. Children will spend time outdoors each morning if it is above 20 degrees. We follow the lower school schedule and the six day rotation.
10:40-11:20 a.m.	Co-curriculars Our co-curricular schedule follows a six day “color rotation” based on the colors of the rainbow. Co-curriculars include Spanish, Mandarin, physical education, performing arts, and library.
11:30 a.m.	Half-day Dismissal Children who are signed up for our half day school are picked up at this time. Parents will pull up to the EC gate and teachers will walk children to their car.For those who stay for the full day, students either continue playing outside or, depending upon the energy level of the group that day, they may come inside to engage in a singing or movement activity, participate in story time, or sit down with a puzzle.

Early Childhood Faculty & Staff

Jennifer George

Early Childhood Administrator

Reggie James

Director of Athletics

Heike Kennel

Receptionist

Kathleen Bechert

Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Valerie Wheeler

Early Childhood Teacher Assistant

Michael Wilson

Technology User Support Specialist

Jeff Payne

MS Performing Arts & EC Teaching Assistant

Anne Griffith

Director of Environmental Sustainability

Jason Oliver

Director of Technology

Julie Paul

Early Childhood Teacher Assistant

Marvin Hernandez

Physical Education

Holly Stolz

Library and Media

Deanna Rau

Music

Sara Swift

Spanish

Alisa Workman

Early Childhood Art Teacher

Kristen Laidlaw

Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Samantha Boyer

Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Sean Dwyer

Physical Education

Jiefei Wang

Mandarin

Extended Day

We offer Extended Day (also referred to as “Kids’ Club”) as after-school care. The program is intended to keep your child engaged and active after dismissal in a safe, supervised, and fun environment. Our program follows best practices for expanded school day learning. Children will engage in unstructured play, organized recreational play, dramatic play, crafts, games, and puzzles. Extended Day strives to develop the whole child by addressing social, emotional, intellectual, and physical needs.

Hours are 3:05-6:00 p.m.

Extended Day for Early Childhood School students takes place at the Soin Early Childhood School and is available only on days when school is in session. It can be utilized on a regular or as needed basis.

There is an additional charge for Extended Day services based on the amount of time your child is in attendance.

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Early Childhood School

Where Fostering a Lifetime Love of Learning Begins.

Early Childhood Schedules

Second Year Schedule (Full Day)

First Year Schedule (Full Day)

First Year Schedule (Half Day)

Early Childhood Faculty & Staff

Jennifer George

Early Childhood Administrator

Reggie James

Director of Athletics

Heike Kennel

Receptionist

Kathleen Bechert

Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Valerie Wheeler

Early Childhood Teacher Assistant

Michael Wilson

Technology User Support Specialist

Jeff Payne

MS Performing Arts & EC Teaching Assistant

Anne Griffith

Director of Environmental Sustainability

Jason Oliver

Director of Technology

Julie Paul

Early Childhood Teacher Assistant

Marvin Hernandez

Physical Education

Holly Stolz

Library and Media

Deanna Rau

Music

Sara Swift

Spanish

Alisa Workman

Early Childhood Art Teacher

Kristen Laidlaw

Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Samantha Boyer

Early Childhood Lead Teacher

Sean Dwyer

Physical Education

Jiefei Wang

Mandarin

Extended Day

Hours are 3:05-6:00 p.m.

Ready to join the MVS family?

Visit MVS

Apply

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School CLOSED Wednesday, January 25, 2023