At Village in the Loop Preschool, we embrace the Reggio Emilia approach, where the curriculum is guided by the unique interests of our children. Our classroom projects and topics evolve from meaningful conversations with children and their families, as well as from observations of what naturally captivates the children’s curiosity.

Our teachers thoughtfully observe and take notes to identify projects that are best suited to their classes, determine the materials needed, and explore creative ways to involve parents and the community in the learning process. This collaborative approach ensures that every child feels valued and engaged while fostering a love for discovery and learning.

Projects are often introduced to our children as adventures, and can last anywhere from a week or two to the entire school year. Teachers act as advisors on these projects, helping our children decide in which direction they would like to take their research, how they can represent what they learn, and what materials would be best suited for their representations.

The Reggio Emilia approach calls for the presentation of new ideas and concepts in multiple forms, such as print, art, drama, music, puppetry, and so on.  Our children will use different materials, textures, and media to present various concepts. This helps our children express themselves in many ways (The 100 languages of children).  Varied presentations ensure that all of our children have the chance to understand and connect with the concepts being explored.

The idea of team work is essential to further all of our children’s cognitive development. Groups are encouraged to work together to problem-solve using dialogue, comparisons, negotiations, and other important interpersonal skills. Each child’s voice is heard in order to promote a balance between a sense of belonging to the group and a sense of self.

At Village in the Loop Preschool, STEAM—Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math—is seamlessly integrated into our inquiry-based, child-led approach to learning. Our STEAM program emphasizes an active, hands-on, and immersive experience where teachers introduce engaging materials and objects designed to ignite curiosity, encourage exploration, and inspire children to think critically and ask questions.

ARTS: The arts are a cornerstone of our curriculum at Village in the Loop Preschool. Children are naturally creative, and participation in the arts allows them to express themselves, build essential skills, and develop tremendous self-esteem. Through varied opportunities to create, children experience the joy and satisfaction of bringing their ideas to life.

LANGUAGE: Our language program is designed to provide a strong foundation in English and a secondary language by the time children transition to elementary school. Beyond becoming bilingual, our goal is for children to grow into better problem-solvers, effective communicators, and lifelong learners with a heightened ability to acquire additional languages in the future. At Village in the Loop Preschool, parents can select a language elective in English, French, or Spanish, providing tailored opportunities for language enrichment.