Philosophy

Learning is Natural

Our philosophy emphasizes the importance of developing strong critical thinkers, not just rote memorizers. We believe that children learn best when they understand the purpose of letters and numbers, not just how to recognize them on paper.

Developing strong social skills is a key component of our program. Our educators model positive character traits and guide children through conflict resolution techniques, helping them build emotional intelligence, resilience, and self-esteem. We also use the Wisconsin Pyramid Model for Supporting Social-Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children, which promotes the social-emotional well-being of children from birth to age five.



Curriculum

Developing strong social skills is a key component of our program. Our educators model positive character traits and guide children through conflict resolution techniques, helping them build emotional intelligence, resilience, and self-esteem. We also use the Wisconsin Pyramid Model for Supporting Social-Emotional Competence in Infants and Young Children, which promotes the social-emotional well-being of children from birth to age five.

Educators at Little Explorers use project-based, inquiry-driven teaching methods, listening to children's interests and guiding them through research and discovery. This approach helps children develop resourcefulness, persistence, curiosity, and problem-solving skills.

Conscious Discipline is a trauma-informed, evidence-based practice for guiding behaviors. It is an adult-first model of classroom guidance, meaning our staff regulates their own emotions and models the behavior they want to see. This philosophy utilizes mindfulness to facilitate intentional, impactful interactions between children and adults. It focuses on connection over correction.

How do we use conscious discipline in our Classrooms to guide behaviors.

One of the most obvious ways we utilize Conscious Discipline in our classrooms is through our reflective language. We use positive redirection to guide children to positive social interactions, rather than using shame and blame for misbehavior. We encourage self-awareness through 'noticing' and reflecting the child's internal and external state - "You seem angry...your face is going like this.... You were really hoping for a turn. You can ask for the 'turn next, please.' Try it now for practice." We also use the Conscious Discipline ritual, Wish Well, to foster a sense of community and connectedness in the classroom.

We believe that getting messy is a good thing! A little dirt never hurt anyone. In fact, playing in the mud and getting messy is a fantastic way for children to connect with nature, develop fine motor skills, and stimulate their senses. Mud play can boost cognitive function, enhance creativity, and even improve mood by increasing serotonin levels in the brain. So, we embrace the mess and encourage children to dive into their natural surroundings with enthusiasm.

Employment

Our team of nurturing and highly educated professionals provides an innovative, hands-on curriculum that encourages children to build confidence through exploration and discovery of the natural world. Our educators are trained in early childhood and environmental education. Our Educator staff also includes a naturalist, an animal educator, a Spanish instructor, and a Music instructor on staff to enrich our curriculum.

Professional Development

We believe in continuous learning and growth for our educators. Little Explorers Preschool offers ongoing professional development opportunities, including workshops, seminars, and training sessions. These opportunities help our educators stay up to date on the latest teaching strategies, child development research, and best practices in early childhood education.

Employment and Benefits

We are always looking for passionate and dedicated individuals to join our team.

Little Explorers not only offers very competitive wages, but also offers extensive additional benefits, including:

• Quarts Health Insurance
• Delta Dental and Vision Insurance
• Illinois Mutual supplemental Insurance
• 401 (k) retirement benefits
• 144.04 hours of Paid time off per year (start accruing on the first day of employment) with up to 64 hours of rollover if necessary.
• Paid holidays
• Paid professional development.
• Paid staff meetings, meal provided.
• Breakfast, Lunch, and snacks provided daily
• Bonuses through state funding, while available.
• Company Bonuses depending on financial status.
• Opportunities for further education through the TEACH Scholarship program sponsored by Little Explorers. Bonuses apply after completion.
• Opportunities to get involved outside of the classroom through various committees.

Most importantly, Little Explorers is a professional community of educators working to help our children and families.

Our Administration provides superior support to our Educators. All educators undergo a one-week orientation period, giving new educators the best possible start by providing every opportunity to get to know their new family of educators and the facility and environment in which they will work.

To ensure the highest quality of education and care, we have specific requirements for our educators. These include relevant teaching experience, educational requirements, and a commitment to our philosophy and curriculum. Additionally, all educators must pass background checks and meet state licensing requirements.

As a part of our school Family, New hires are introduced to Conscious Discipline during the onboarding process. Through a blend of video learning, personal instruction, and modeling, staff are offered engaging learning opportunities during their first few weeks of employment. We strive to create a curious, non-judgmental environment for staff to explore their relationship with Conscious Discipline. We encourage further growth through professional development opportunities and personal study.

Little Explorers is a diverse, inclusive community that encourages parent involvement in our classrooms. We also offer many opportunities for families and staff to attend events outside our regular school days.