SPICE 2004 Northridge, CA - National Catholic Educational Association

The Early-Fives Program is part of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School in Northridge, California, which is in the San Fernando Valley, a suburban community of approximately 1.6 million people, located 25 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.

Prior to the development of the Early-Fives Program, there were only two Catholic parish-based pre-kindergarten programs in the San Fernando Valley. While there was a dire need for more Catholic Pre-K programs in the area, there was an equally strong need for a program that bridged the gap between a day care environment with no academic curriculum and programs that simply started the kindergarten curriculum a year early, with no focus on addressing the developmental needs of the children.

The Early-Fives Program strives to create a developmentally appropriate educational environment, which fosters each child's physical, emotional, social, cognitive and spiritual growth. We seek to provide a safe, loving and learning atmosphere where children learn by doing, (hands on approach) through the use of "manipulatives" — real objects. This program is a combination of self-directed and teacher guided activities and encourages children to work individually, as well as in small groups. Our goal is to learn each child's skills and help to develop them by providing challenges that are both individually suited and age appropriate.

The program uses the Learning Centers to organize the classroom and thereby encourage active learning. Children flourish in a well-organized, clearly defined environment that is arranged to promote independence, foster decision-making, and encourage initiative and involvement