Frog & Toad Essex Junction
Child-Centered Environments
About Us
Your Child Is in Great Hands
Philosophy
At Frog & Toad our philosophy is that each child is an individual, with individual needs, preferences, feelings, and learning styles. Likewise, we believe that each family has its own uniqueness. Our school is designed to provide outstanding care to all children and families. We do this by altering our teaching styles to reach each child, by communicating with families about their child and family each and every day, by fully understanding early childhood development, and by genuinely caring about the success of each individual and family with whom we work.
Health & Safety
We value the health and safety of all our students and staff at Frog & Toad. During this time especially, we have adopted the strict guidelines set forth by the State of Vermont Department of Health in order to ensure that our students and staff are well-protected.
The uniqueness of each child and family is especially evident during times of crisis (such as a pandemic), but our mission remains the same. We will work diligently to ensure the success of each child and family. We recognize that success can take many forms, and during challenging times, our focus will be on the mental and physical health and well-being of each child and family in our care.
Curriculum & Assessment
Every child is on their own unique developmental journey. At Frog&Toad Child Care&Learning Center, LLC we support that individual journey by consistently developing curriculum that is appropriately challenging, based in developmental standards, and of the children's interests.
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The Vermont Early Learning Standards provide the framework for our teachers to develop the most well-rounded educational experience possible for our students. Additionally, teachers develop curriculum utilizing their own unique teaching expertise, the interest of their students, and the Creative Curriculum platform.
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Creative Curriculum is a series of curriculums designed by Teaching Strategies that are specifically meant to meet the educational needs of children at all stages of their development. Teachers can use as much or as little of the platform as they like. They can also alter activities to better suit the students in their classroom.
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Additionally, the teachers of Frog&Toad perform regular assessments on the learning and growth advancements of all of our students. This is done by performing the ASQ (an assessment tool that many families complete at their child's pediatrician visits) twice each year as well as the Checkpoints Assessment through Teaching Strategies Gold (this is an assessment focused on educational milestones, and is in alignment with the Vermont Agency of Education requirements).
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Both the Creative Curriculum platform, and the Teaching Strategies Gold assessments "talk" to one another; which streamlines our curriculum, assessment, and portfolio process. In short, communicating effectively with families about the growth and development of their child is thorough and comprehensive.
Frog&Toad values it's teachers!
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At Frog&Toad we take the time to honor our staff in a multitude of different ways, but one of our favorite methods is to give them some public recognition for their efforts and dedication to the field of Early Care and Education! Here, as well as in our programs, you will see prominent displays of the Teacher of the Month as well as the Honorable Mention. ​​
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Mary is our Teacher of the month! She is currently enrolled in the Apprenticeship Program, and working full time. Not only does Mary maintain a positive and cheerful disposition, but she is excelling in her new role of Lead Toddler Teacher! Mary came into this position by way of variance. Our program experienced a devastating loss of one of our long-time Lead Teachers due to their need to relocate, and we were unable to find a suitable replacement. Mary stepped up to help make sure that Frog&Toad standards are maintained, and to ensure that both children and the program continue to thrive!
Mary has taken on her new position with excitement and grace! She is creating wonderfully enriching curriculums, engaging her students in a variety of sensory and nature based activities, managing all of their developmental assessments, communicating with our beloved families each day, and also thoughtfully and intentionally training the new Assistant Teacher in her classroom! Mary is clearly a go getter, but she is also a kind and compassionate member of our team, and we are so grateful to have her with us!
Claire is this month's Honorable Mention. Clarie has proven to be someone who maintains a positive attitude under any circumstance, and that goes a mighty long way in encouraging our positive school environment! She is always willing to take on any challenge or task that is presented to her without hesitation regardless of how messy it gets! It is a given for anyone that meets Claire that they will be met first with a great big smile! Her outlook on life is light, and her love for Early Education is evident in her every interaction with children.
Claire also maintains a solid knowledge base of child development. She consistently implements everything she learns into her everyday work with the infants in her classroom. Claire can always be counted on to be on site when expected, to be mentally present, and to be a loving and caring individual not only with children, but also with staff and families.