OUR PROGRAM

At SPP, we believe that every child is born with curiosity and the desire to explore, discover, and give meaning to the world around him or her—the desire to learn. These innate, universal qualities are shaped by each child’s environment: his or her unique experiences, family traditions, beliefs, and cultural background.
We believe that all people, including children, deserve to be treated with respect.
We believe that what preschoolers need to learn to prepare them for elementary school are social skills, emotional skills, cognitive skills, and physical skills (small and large motor). We believe that the best and most natural way for children to learn these things is through play—that is, by seeking out a variety of experiences to engage all of their senses and to practice all of their developing skills and abilities. We also believe that learning is not a tidy, sequential process; learning progresses with big and little steps forward and backwards in many different domains. Most of all, we believe that children are strong and capable and will learn all of the things that they need to learn, each in his or her own time.

At SPP, these beliefs are reflected in our commitment to free choice and free play, our emphasis on social-emotional development, and our play-based, developmentally-appropriate, emergent curriculum. Early literacy skills are incorporated in many activities, indoors and out, rather than in formal, teacher-initiated lessons. Curriculum evolves from the children’s interests and passions. It grows out of listening to the children rather than being imposed from the top—instead of teaching what we want to teach we help the children learn what they want to learn. Curriculum also comes from parents and families—parents’ views, passions, and interests, and families’ holidays, traditions, and values are explored and integrated into the life of the school.

About Parent Participation (Co-op) Preschools, and Parent Responsibilities at SPP
A parent participation preschool is an organization of parents working together with trained teachers to foster the growth and education of their children and themselves. Most of the day-to-day functions of running the school are done by the parents. Sunnyvale Parent Preschool governs itself through a Board of Directors—SPP parents who have been elected by the membership to hold non-paid management positions. Support service positions include tasks such as purchasing supplies, caring for classroom pets, editing the newsletter, or assisting Board members. The Board hires the paid staff—the Director and the teachers—who are responsible for the preschool curriculum and parent education as well as for adhering to the requirements of state licensing and NAEYC accreditation. One of the benefits of being part of a co-op preschool is that you have a say in how it is run. SPP is a dynamic organization—one that listens and responds to member families.

OUR TEACHERS
Dalia Orr: Director and Teacher
Jane Hayes : Teacher

*Meet strict NAEYC and state licensing approved educational and training requirements, including ongoing professional development
*Develop a fun, exciting, and enriching curriculum that enables children to develop the social, emotional, cognitive, and motor skills that they need to acquire in preschool.
*Teach children how to resolve conflicts, nurture children who are learning to separate from their parents, work with children individually and in small groups, and lead Circle Time.
*Teach parents how to interact with children in the classroom.
*Discuss classroom issues with parents at after-class debriefing meetings, and teach parents about how children learn at monthly class meetings.
*Meet with parents individually at least once a year.
*Plan and facilitate Parent Education Seminars.
*Are educated and experienced in relating to parents and children from diverse cultures and backgrounds.

Dalia Orr

Dalia Orr, teacher and Director, joined SPP in the summer of 2003. Dalia has many years of teaching experience: from toddlers and school age to college and adult education. She earned her BSW in Israel, where she worked with school age children and their families, helping students from developing countries adjust and succeed in a mainstream school system.

In the USA, Dalia raised her children while learning about this new culture, participating in playgroups, and discovering Las Madres, Raffi, and Pete Seger. She got involved as a volunteer in her children’s preschool and found her next calling: Early Childhood Education.

She earned her MA from Pacific Oaks College, concentrating on science education curriculum for preschoolers and methods of teaching it to preschool teachers. Working in the Children Discovery Museum, Dalia refined her study of science education through working with Head Start and developing many fun and age-appropriate science activities. Working at the Museum, Dalia had an opportunity to collaborate on developing interactive exhibits, to develop a variety of parents/child workshops, to train preschool teachers, and to facilitate creative learning experiences for young children. Her current interests are bringing science and art activities closer together. She is inspired by the preschool program from Reggio Emilia.

Dalia speaks English and Hebrew.

Jane Hayes

(Information coming soon)