Community Service Presentation:

Victory Montessori & ChildcareBy Kimberly Sharp

MEDT 8102

Organization & Contact InformationVictory Montessori & Childcare Center

11777 Sheridan Blvd., Westminster, CO 80020720-210-1177 or 303-426-8888http://www.victorychurchdenver.com/node/46

Janie Furlow, Director

Purpose• “We wish to see children achieve on the levels that the Lord

has designed for them.” - www.victorychurchdenver.com• Vision

• To provide a safe Christian environment• To meet the needs of all children • To challenge them spiritually, physically, mentally, and

emotionally• Curriculum

• Based on Montessori Learning Model• Developmentally appropriate for the age levels served• Utilization of lesson plans in classrooms (age two-PreK)• Teach Christian values through daily devotions, music,

Bible stories and modeling

Clients Served122 Six-week old babies through Kindergarten

Infant Rooms Infant One – Newborns Infant Two – Babies able to hold themselves up (6-8 months)

Toddler Rooms Toddler One – Walking up to 18 months Toddler Two – 18 -24 months Toddler Three – 2 years – 2 ½ years

Primary Class – (Age 2 ½ - until potty-trained)Montessori Class (Ages 2 ½ - 5 ½)

• I worked in Toddler One & Two Classrooms and the Montessori Class

Staff MembersAdministrative Staff (2)

Janie Furlow, DirectorJen Fredricks, Office Manager

Lead Teachers Montessori Certified Teachers (3)Childcare Providers (12)

Group Leader Qualified by the state of Colorado Infant/Child CPR & First Aid certified Participate in childcare conferences throughout the

yearAssistants (15)

Staff Members - ResponsibilitiesProvide Exceptional Childcare

Create a warm, nurturing environmentPrepare & Serve Breakfast, Lunch and SnacksWork to Potty Train toddlers

Construct and implement lesson plansCharacter EducationArt, Music and Physical EducationCenters and Montessori Work Time

FacilitiesChildcare Facility is located in a single

hallway inside the Victory Church in Westminster, Colorado

Eight Classrooms (two with private bathrooms)

Adult Restrooms utilized by Montessori ClassOne Large recreational roomKitchen & Laundry On-SiteTwo age-appropriate playground areas

separated by chain-link fencing

Description of Work - ToddlersPrepared and served breakfast and lunchSupervised center activitiesApplied sunscreen to children (about 75

times!)Assisted teachers with the “Morning Walk”Played with children on the playgroundSang songs and played games with childrenComforted and re-directed those who needed

it

Description of Work – Montessori ClassPrepared and served breakfast and lunchApplied sunscreen to children Supervised Swim Day ActivitiesPlayed with children on the playgroundInteracted with children during Show & Tell

Relation to Learning - EriksonErikson’s Psychosocial Developmental Stages

Infant – trust vs. mistrust, world is a safe placeToddler - independence & self-sufficiency, strong willPreschool – initiative in trying new activities

Children I observed showed behaviors that directly lined up with each stageInfants were comfortable with adults and appeared to feel

safe.Toddlers exerted their independence and showed strong

wills! “I do it!” as they carried heavy objects, entered/exited car seats “I’m a big girl!” as they dressed themselves

Preschool children were excited to try new games & activities

Relation to Learning - SkinnerSkinner’s Behaviorist Theory

Positive reinforcement strengthens behaviorPunishment weakens behavior

Teachers were consistently reinforcing behaviorsChildren who complied with requests were rewarded with

immediate feedback (i.e. “Good job!” “I like your gentle hands.” “Nice throw!” high-fives and hugs from the teacher.)

Toddlers who screamed at another child to convey displeasure were reminded to “use your words.”

Children who didn’t comply were removed from the activity and placed in time-out or were required to wait until everyone else began the next activity.

Relation to Learning - BanduraBandura’s Social Cognitive Theory

Learning through observation and imitationDevelopment of self-efficacy

Teachers constantly modeled appropriate behavior that was immediately mimicked by the toddlers. During walks, toddlers hold hands “so no one gets lost.” They

repeated this phrase every time a child let go of someone’s hand until the behavior was corrected.

Teachers used play time to show the children how to build a tower of Legos, or how to safely throw or roll a ball indoors.

If an undesired behavior was displayed, the most common response was “No thank you” as opposed to a harsh “No!”

The children regularly respond to one another as their teachers do as they begin to develop socially acceptable problem-solving skills.

Relation to Learning – PiagetPiaget’s Cognitive Stages

Sensorimotor – active senses and motor activity

Preoperational – language and imaginative playChildren are builders of knowledge and learn

through discovery Toddlers worked in a variety of centers Kids demonstrated imaginative play with baby dolls

& playground equipment

Relation to Learning –VygotskyVygotsky’s Sociocultural Theory

Children learn with support and guidance within a range to achieve success

Scaffolding offers temporary assistance to help a child master a task Toddlers building Lego towers with guidance for

building strong structures Allowing small children to drink from open cups and

sit at a table to eat

Success Stories - MealtimesQuality food is served to all childrenExpectations for behavior are high

Toddlers drink from open cupsEveryone waits to eat until all are served and

the group says a prayerSecond helpings are offered when requested

politelyManners are emphasized

“Please” & “Thank You” Children remain seated for the meal Children place their dishes in the sink

Success Stories - StructureChildren know the routine and are happy to follow it

Sunscreen is applied before going outside and no one complains

Movement from one activity to the next is smooth Toddlers sit against the wall and wait while activities are

prepared Montessori children set up and clean up their own activities

Transitions between classesOccur as developmental milestones are met (i.e. walking,

potty-training)Teachers assist children with meeting their milestonesChildren are slowly eased into their new classroom

environments

Problems Faced by Staff MembersPlayground Facilities

Wood-Chip Surface Creates a mess inside the classrooms Does not cushion falls as well as they would like

Limited Space Two classes can occupy each playground space at one

time Morning time outside is preferred by all teachers due to

weatherLack of Variety of Equipment

Bathroom FacilitiesNot every classroom has a private bathroom

Potential Solutions or ImprovementsUnlimited Funding

Upgrade the playground area to include four separate play areas of varying degrees of difficulty with a padded rubber surface in place of wood chips

Provide quality inflatable pools and sprinklers for each class for Swim Days

Install a child-sized bathroom with toilet and sink in each classroom

Funding within Current BudgetHost fundraisers specifically for the playground

Update the surface of the current play area Purchase additional inflatable pools

ReferencesVictory Montessori & Childcare Center

http://www.victorychurchdenver.com/node/46The International Montessori Index

http://www.montessori.edu/The Montessori Foundation

http://www.montessori.org/Montessori Connections

http://montessoriconnections.com/American Montessori Society

http://www.amshq.org/