The small class size and flexible curriculum at Bright Ideas allow each child to develop to his or her maximum potential through individualized attention. We place children in classrooms according to their age, ensuring that each classroom curriculum is age-appropriate and effective.

Each age group has specific exit skills that we expect children to meet before entering the next classroom. These are minimal expectations for growth in self-help, social skills, gross and fine motor, language arts and math. Your child’s teacher will use this profile at parent conferences to share information regarding your child’s growth in each area of development. Bright Ideas meets the Early Learning Standards recommended by the Rhode Island Department of Education.

CURRICULUM

Infant Program (Ages 6 weeks to 1 year)
Infants love social interaction. Warm, positive relationship with adults at Bright Ideas builds trust, security, and language skills. Infants learn about the world around them through songs, messy play and floor-time games.

Yearling Program (Ages 1 to 2 years)
The focus of this program is building language skills and fostering the children’s ever-increasing curiosity. Our playful environment encourages milestones, explorations, hugs and giggles.

Toddler Program (Ages 2 to 3 years)
Toddlers test their independence and learn some self-help skills while learning to enjoy stories, music, painting and more.

Preschool Program (Ages 3 to 4 years)
Each child’s pre-academic experience should begin in an environment which fosters a firm belief in his or her own capacity to learn. This can only be done when the development of the whole child is considered. Our preschool curriculum recognizes that the relationship between language acquisition and later academic achievement Is well documented. Opportunities to build language development, encourage exploration and expand on personal interests abound.

Pre-Kindergarten Program (Ages 4 to 5 years)
In preparation for kindergarten, our program combines the expectations of the Early Learning Standards with the development of additional skill building in the areas of math, science, language arts, art and music. We believe that building confidence and an enthusiasm for learning is the best start to a successful education.

Kindergarten Program (Ages 5 to 6 years)
The kindergarten curriculum is consistent with the expectations of both the Rhode Island Department of Education and the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Our small class size and creative curriculum insures that every child obtains individual instruction. The curriculum which incorporates language arts, math, science, art, music and more is available for review at the school.

The kindergarten curriculum emphasizes language development as the cornerstone of academic achievement. Children are active participants in their learning, with a focus on meaningful experiences rather than isolated skill development. They are taught to develop basic skills through creative play and social interaction.

We design “centers” in each classroom to allow children a choice of activities. Center areas include: art, sensory, reading, writing, math, block building, dramatic play and computers. These centers provide opportunities for children to learn individually or in small groups. The use of themes and centers allow the child to determine how far he or she wishes to take such an experience.