Where fostering a lifetime love of learning begins
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. We believe children learn by doing. We create environments that peak their curiosity, and we encourage them to get knee-deep in a topic or area of interest so they can investigate it from multiple angles. It’s through this daily play and exploration that their love for learning is first ignited.
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.
On any given day at the EC, you may find children building a castle with blocks, mixing paint to find their own skin color, saying “hello” to each other in several different languages, or cooking in our EC kitchen. We don’t adhere to any one educational philosophy at the EC; instead, we incorporate myriad approaches which include Reggio Emilia, Montessori, and Waldorf. At the root of our school is self-guided learning, known at MVS as the Immersion Method. Our teachers listen to the students’ interests and create lessons where they can investigate that topic from every subject matter. The ultimate goal is that everything we do at the EC is developmentally appropriate and promotes self-esteem and confidence as children grow and explore. We want their first school experience to be a positive one that sets the stage for a lifetime love of learning!
Reflection, family-style meals, art, and outside play are woven into everyday learning. In addition, we offer children co-curricular activities including Spanish, Mandarin, PE, music, and library. At the EC, we provide a strong foundation for learning and creating. When our students continue their education in the lower school, they are confident, happy learners, ready and eager for the challenges and adventures that await them in kindergarten and beyond. They are well on their way toward becoming self-sustaining, global citizens of tomorrow.
Children should be 3 or 4 years old by the first day of school in mid-August to start at the early childhood school, and all children must be toilet trained by the first day of school. Applicants with birthdays between mid-August and September 30 will be considered and may be accepted if ready academically, socially, emotionally, and developmentally.
Half Day Schedule
Parents park and walk their children into school
Parents may either park and walk their children into school or pull up to the EC entrance, and let a teacher assist you with dropping off your child. Families arriving after 8:05 a.m. should park their cars and walk their children into school through the main MVS entrance.
We begin each morning with the same routine, because we realize the importance of consistency and structure in our children’s lives. Children wash their hands, listen to the morning message and sign in, then it’s off to play ‘til morning meeting.
We start our school day together by gathering around the circle rug and greeting each other. 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.
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 rotate rooms throughout the week and are with different teaching teams. Co-curriculars occur during this time and include Spanish, Mandarin, physical education, music, and library. We follow the lower school schedule and the six day rotation.
If it’s above 20 degrees, we are outside! 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 who are signed up for our half day school are picked up at this time. Parents park and walk into the school through the main MVS entrance. This is also a great time to touch base with teachers and see the children in action.
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.
Full Day Schedule
Parents park and walk their children into school
Parents may either park and walk their children into school or pull up to the EC entrance, and let a teacher assist you with dropping off your child. Families arriving after 8:05 a.m. should park their cars and walk their children into school through the main MVS entrance.
We begin each morning with the same routine, because we realize the importance of consistency and structure in our children’s lives. Children wash their hands, listen to the morning message and sign in, then it’s off to play ‘til morning meeting.
We start our school day together by gathering around the circle rug and greeting each other. 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.
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 rotate rooms throughout the week and are with different teaching teams. Co-curriculars occur during this time and include Spanish, Mandarin, physical education, music, and library. We follow the lower school schedule and the six day rotation.
If it’s above 20 degrees, we are outside! 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 who are signed up for our half day school are picked up at this time. Parents park and walk into the school through the main MVS entrance. This is also a great time to touch base with teachers and see the children in action.
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.
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.
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, affectionately called Big Kids Work. 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.
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.
Students are picked up at 3:00 p.m. Teachers walk children out to meet their parents. Children with siblings in lower, middle, or upper school are dismissed at 3:30 p.m. with their siblings.
After school care.
Extended Day
We offer Extended Day (also referred to as “Kids’ club”) an after-school enrichment program. 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 3:30-6:00 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.
Early Childhood
Julie Patel
Director of Early Childhood
Jodi Gonzalez
Early Childhood Teacher
Kristen Laidlaw
Early Childhood Teacher
Maggie Silvey
Early Childhood Teacher
Alisa Workman
Early Childhood Art Teacher
Samantha Boyer
Teacher Assistant
Jenell Connor
Teacher Assistant
Sara Swift
Spanish
Deanna Rau
Music
Holly Stolz
library and media
Patti DeLotell
Director of Zorniger Environmental Lab
Mario Carrillo
Athletic Director
Marvin Hernandez
Physical Education
Sean Dwyer
Physical Education
Jennifer Mesaros
Teacher Assistant
Kara Peterson
Counselor
“MVS gave me the meaning of true friends and a supportive community to pursue my passion for music. Nurturing my passion at MVS helped me choose my college and shape my future.”
Adele Taylor, Class of 2017
Experience
The Miami Valley School
The Miami Valley School aims to positively impact the future by inspiring and empowering the community to achieve more through immersive education that creates exceptional human beings.
