SOUTH SHORE STARS INC

EARLY EDUCATION/PRESCHOOL:OUR THREE NATIONALLY ACCREDITED EARLY EDUCATION/PRESCHOOL CENTERS SUPPORT YOUNG CHILDREN, INCLUDING TODDLERS, INFANTS, AND PRESCHOOLERS AT OUR WEYMOUTH LOCATION, PRESCHOOLERS AT OUR RANDOLPH LOCATION, AND PRESCHOOLERS AND TODDLERS AT OUR QUINCY LOCATION. ALL CHILDREN ARE OFFERED THE OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN IN A SAFE, NURTURING, AND EDUCATIONALLY RICH ENVIRONMENT. TEACHERS PLAN CHILD-CENTERED ACTIVITIES THAT ARE FUN AND SPARK EXPLORATION, CREATIVITY, AND THE MASTERY OF NEW SKILLS. THE FOUNDATION OF OUR PROGRAM STRUCTURE IS HIGHSCOPE CURRICULUM, WHICH EMPHASIZES CHILD-CENTERED LEARNING. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT THIS TYPE OF EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE IS MOST EFFECTIVE IN HELPING YOUNG CHILDREN REACH APPROPRIATE DEVELOPMENTAL MILESTONES. TEACHERS FREQUENTLY ASSESS CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT AND USE THE DATA TO PLAN CURRICULUM AND DEVELOP EDUCATIONAL STRATEGIES.SUPPORTING SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL LEARNING IS THE HEART OF STARS' PROGRAMMING AND INTEGRATED INTO OUR DAILY PRACTICE. LOW CHILD STAFF RATIOS, SMALL GROUP SIZE, AND SPECIALIZED TRAINING ARE ESSENTIAL TO OUR SUCCESS. ACTIVITIES ARE INCLUDED IN WEEKLY CLASSROOM PLANS THAT SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT OF POSITIVE PEER RELATIONSHIPS, EMPATHY, PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS AND THE ABILITY TO SELF-REGULATE.WE PLACE GREAT VALUE ON THE PARTNERSHIPS WE FORM WITH OUR FAMILIES, BELIEVING THAT PARENT INVOLVEMENT IS ESSENTIAL TO CHILDREN'S GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT. WE BUILD TRUSTING RELATIONSHIPS WITH FAMILIES, INCORPORATING RESPECTFUL COMMUNICATION THAT CONSIDERS DIVERSE FAMILY STRUCTURE, VALUES AND TRADITIONS. OUR PRESCHOOL FAMILY SUPPORT CLINICIAN HELPS STAFF AND PARENTS/GUARDIANS WITH BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT, COPING WITH FAMILY STRESS AND FINDING NEEDED RESOURCES.OUR TEACHERS ARE VERY DIVERSE, SPEAKING MANY LANGUAGES, REFLECTING OUR FAMILIES' BACKGROUNDS. OUR CULTURALLY COMPETENT, MULTICULTURAL APPROACH IS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT EACH CHILD'S CONSTRUCTION OF A KNOWLEDGEABLE, CONFIDENT SELF-IDENTITY, ALONG WITH AN APPRECIATION OF DIFFERENT CULTURES.

SCHOOL AGE AND YOUTH:SINCE 1970, STARS HAS PROVIDED THE HIGHEST QUALITY SCHOOL AGE CHILD CARE PROGRAMS. WE HAVE INVESTED OUR RESOURCES IN DEVELOPING INNOVATIVE, RESEARCH BASED, BEST PRACTICES THAT SUPPORTS SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND SCHOOL SUCCESS WITH THE FOLLOWING GOALS: INCREASED RESILIENCY; DEVELOPMENT OF POSITIVE VALUES; IMPROVED SCHOOL ATTENDANCE, HOMEWORK COMPLETION AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT; AND INCREASED ASPIRATION FOR A POSITIVE FUTURE.IN OUR CENTERS, CHILDREN ARE ENCOURAGED TO GROW IN SELF-RELIANCE AND SELF-EXPRESSION AS THEY ENJOY MANY ACTIVITIES INCLUDING ATHLETICS, ARTS, GAMES, DRAMA, COOKING AND FIELD TRIPS. WE AIM TO EXCITE CHILDREN ABOUT READING AND WRITING BY INTEGRATING LITERACY ACTIVITIES INTO EACH CENTER'S DAILY SCHEDULE. THROUGHOUT THE YEAR THERE ARE MANY SPECIAL OFFERINGS WHICH MIGHT INCLUDE: DRUMMING, DIGITAL MEDIA AND ROBOTICS. STAFF WORK WITH PARENTS TO DEVELOP AN INDIVIDUAL HOMEWORK PLAN, AND HOMEWORK TIME IS A PART OF EACH DAY'S SCHEDULE. THE STRENGTH OF OUR SCHOOL AGE CHILD CARE PROGRAM IS THE STRONG POSITIVE RELATIONSHIPS STAFF DEVELOP WITH CHILDREN. WE SUPPORT OUR CHILDREN TO EXPRESS THEIR FEELINGS AND RESOLVE DISPUTES WHILE DEVELOPING PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS AND EMPATHY. BY BUILDING A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY, OUR CHILDREN FEEL SUPPORTED BY STAFF AND THEIR PEERS.