Our Programs Are Based On Active Learning

Orlando Day Nursery’s educational philosophy is based on the belief that young children build or “construct” their knowledge of the world — they are “active learners.” This means learning is not simply a process of adults giving information to children. Rather, children discover things through direct experience with people, objects, events, and ideas. They learn best from pursuing their own interests while being actively supported and challenged by adults. ODN teachers are as active and involved as children in the classroom. They thoughtfully provide materials, plan activities, and talk with children in ways that both support and challenge what children are experiencing and thinking. The goal of promoting active learning is reflected in every aspect of our daily time together.

Doodle of a little girl reading from a book
Doodle of a little boy writing on a book

Daily learning experiences include:

CONNECTION

Children and caregivers develop a trusting and loving relationship in a positive classroom environment. Children feel safe to explore and learn and adults provide kind guidance to help each child reach their highest potential and understand their uniqueness and importance to their school family, their community, and our world.

CHILD LANGUAGE AND THOUGHT

Children describe what they are doing and understanding. They communicate verbally and nonverbally as they think about their actions and modify their thinking to take new learning into account.

MATERIALS

Abundant supplies of interesting materials are readily available to children. Materials are appealing to all the senses and are opening ended — they lend themselves to being used in a variety of ways to expand children’s experiences and stimulate their thought and creativity.

MANIPULATION

Children handle, examine, combine, and transform materials and ideas. They make discoveries through direct hands-on and “minds-on” contact with these resources.

CHOICE

Children choose materials and play partners, change and build on their play ideas, and plan activities according to their interests and needs.

ADULT SCAFFOLDING

“Scaffolding” means adults both support children’s current level of thinking and challenge them. Adults encourage children’s efforts and help them extend or build on their work by talking with them about what they are doing, by joining in their play, and by helping them learn to solve problems that arise.

Our Programs

A baby boy wearing a warm yellow and gray beanie while crawling on the floor at the daycare

EARLY HEAD START

This program is in session for 6 hours a day, 8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Children are assigned our site by 4C and teachers must meet special levels of training. This program uses the “Creative Curriculum” to guide and plan daily learning experiences.

  • Ages served: 6 weeks to 3 years old

An infant boy smiling while laying on a comfortable baby seat

INFANT

This is our 6 weeks to 8 months or when the infant becomes mobile (pulling up, crawling etc.). This classroom uses the Florida Early Learning and Development Standards and the “High Scope” curriculum (approved by the Florida Office of Early Learning) to guide their planning and teaching.

  • Ages served: 6 weeks to 8 months

A toddler sitting by a table focused on a school task

TODDLERS

This is our one-year-old room. Teachers use the Florida Early Learning and Development Standards and the “High Scope” curriculum (approved by the Florida Office of Early Learning) to guide their planning and teaching.

  • Ages served: 15 months to 2 years old

An Orlando Day Nursery teacher instructing her classroom into a fun and education project

EARLY PRESCHOOL

This is our two-year-old room. Teachers use the Florida Early Learning and Development Standards and the “High Scope” curriculum (approved by the Florida Office of Early Learning) to guide their planning and teaching.

  • Ages served: 2 years old to 3 years old

A group of preschool kids playing and smiling

PRESCHOOL

This room serves both 3 and 4-year-olds who are not eligible for VPK yet. Teachers use the Florida Early Learning and Development Standards and the “High Scope” curriculum (approved by the Florida Office of Early Learning) to guide their planning and teaching.

  • Ages served: 3 and 4 years old

A group of young kids playing together with their hands while sitting on the carpet with a colorful periodic table design

VPK (Voluntary PreKindergarten)

These classrooms are our Voluntary Pre-kindergarten classrooms. They use the Florida VPK Standards with the “Frog Street Press” curriculum (approved by the Florida Office of Early Learning) to guide their planning and teaching.

  • Ages served: 4-5 years old