Philosophy

Aquinas Early Childhood Center (AECC) believes each child is a unique creation of God and a manifestation of His love. We provide an atmosphere in which all children may grow and learn. The Program is part of St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Parish and assists in laying a foundation for a child’s eventual awakening to faith. Within an atmosphere of love and security, children will learn to trust and come to feel the love of God. We believe the love of God and each other binds us together. In that love, we welcome and respect all faiths. We pray that each child will find love in our program. Young children learn by real, hands-on experiences. The Learning Center approach is used to provide an environment in which each child may use his/her senses to investigate, explore, manipulate and make choices at his/her developmental level. A developmental approach allows teachers to program for needs, abilities, interests and personal learning pace and style. On-going assessment of each child’s growth and development is an essential tool in planning curriculum. The program is designed to encourage curiosity, exploration and discovery. Children develop positive attitudes about themselves as they learn daily routines, master new skills, expand interests, and participate in planning, decision making, and problem solving. Opportunities are constructed to foster creativity, to stimulate exploration of a wide variety of media and materials, and to encourage communication of ideas and feelings as the children work and play together. Physical development is supported by the promotion of good health habits and regular routines in eating, rest, and exercise. We provide a warm community where acceptable social behavior is encouraged and we provide positive and loving guidance. Children learn about God’s love through the relationships of those around them. With this knowledge, we seek early childhood professionals who embrace the spirit of our philosophy. These professionals work closely with families through conferences and daily communications to support the development of the whole child. EACH CHILD WILL REALIZE, “I am special just because I am me”