About Us
Statement of Philosophy
At Arcoiris Early Learning Center, every child is treated individually, considering that their parents are the primary educators. Each child is unique, and they develop, learn, and prosper at their own pace in an environment in which they can learn and feel emotionally and physically safe. Play is the “work” of the children and we support them by providing them with a proper learning environment to develop intellectually, creatively, physically, socially, and emotionally.
Dedicated Educators
To provide a program that is truly individualized for each child, we have biweekly written observations that discuss the progress of each child and meet with their parents to discuss their growth and carefully plan activities to support their development. Teachers will wear a mask, as recommended by the CDC, and local Yuma officials, until further notice (for COVID-19)
Children Learn Through Play
In Arcoiris Early Learning Center, we firmly believe in the theory that children learn through play. As a result, our classroom routines focus on encouraging the involvement and active exploration of the environment, significant experimentation, meaning through repetition and reinforcement of regular interactions with teachers and students appropriate to the level of each child’s educational development.
Commitment to Inclusion
We offer a program of inclusion. We want all our students to have the best possible learning opportunities and educational experience. Our environment and activities cater to each child’s developmental stage and needs. We welcome and actively promote inclusive practices and diversity within our preschool's environment. Our goal is to make our services accessible to all families who wish to use them. We work collaboratively with parents and other agencies in Yuma to support children and families.
Arcoiris Early Learning Center: Empower Policy Standards
Standard 1: Physical Activity
Arcoiris Early Learning Center is committed to our children’s health and we understand the unique needs of each child. We value our staff members and child care providers as positive role models who help children begin healthy habits at a young age. We promote both indoor and outdoor physical activity by following the guidelines below. This policy is for a 6 hour per day facility and is specific for 4-year-old children.
Daily physical activity is planned and initiated
- Staff members and child care providers will include at least 60minutes per day in the curriculum for physical activity.
Sedentary time
- Sedimentary time is limited at Arcoiris Early Learning Center, except when the child refuses to participate in class activities due to sadness, sickness, or tiredness.
Screen time
- Screen time is limited to three hours or less per week.
- Exceptions to screen time limits include children needing assistive and/or adaptive equipment or when screen time engages children in physical activity or is used for educational purposes.
Standard 2: Practice “Sun Safety”
We at Arcoiris Early Learning Center agree to use the following safeguards for all outdoor activities:
- Staff members will follow the age and developmentally appropriate guidance provided in Table 1 of the Empower Program Sun Safety Standard when planning outdoor activities.
- Parents are responsible to protect the child's skin by using sun block that is SPF 15 or higher at home before coming to the preschool. Parents should send these items specially during the summer: Wide brimmed hats, sunglasses, tight-knit clothing, and shade will be used as safeguards for outdoor activities.
Standard 3: Breastfeeding
We at Arcoiris Early Learning Center are committed to providing ongoing support to breastfeeding mothers including mothers with CSHCN or disabilities. Research has documented a multitude of health benefits to both the mother and infant when the infant is breastfed.
Standard 4: CACFP
We at Arcoiris Early Learning Center recognize the importance of affordable child care while also providing quality nutrition to low-income families. The entity participates in The Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) to improve and maintain the health and nutritional status of children while promoting the development of good eating habits.
Standard 5: Fruit juice
We at Arcoiris Early Learning Center are committed to our children’s health. We recognize the importance of staff members and child care providers as positive role models for children as they learn to live healthy lives. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that preschool children drink no more than four to six ounces of 100% fruit juice each day, except as appropriate for CSHCN. Water will be used as the first choice and it will be offered/accessible throughout the day.
Standard 6: Family Style meals
We at Arcoiris Early Learning Center are committed to supporting our child in establishing lifelong habits of healthy eating patterns. In keeping with this philosophy, our facility: Serves family-style meals whenever possible to support children in learning to serve themselves and develop healthy relationships with food.
Our role as staff members and child care providers is to provide nourishing food appropriate to the child’s needs. The child’s role is to decide whether and how much to eat. We will never force a child to eat or discourage a child from eating food that is healthy for them.
Staff members and child care providers model behaviors for healthy eating and positive body image in the presence of children. The food will be served by the teacher, as recommended by the CDC. Changes until further notice (for COVID-19)
Standard 7: Teeth Brushing
We at Arcoiris Early Learning Center are committed to protecting the health and safety of our children, staff members and child care providers regarding tooth decay. Tooth decay is an infectious disease and a serious problem among young children in Arizona. Our facility recognizes that we play an important role in preventing tooth decay and in educating children, parents, staff members and child care providers on tooth decay prevention. In keeping with this philosophy, our facility:
- Provides oral health education, implements tooth brushing program for children age 3 and older and educates our staff members and child care providers on brushing steps working in collaboration with First Smiles.The brushing of teeth in the preschool is canceled until further notice. (for Covid-19)
Standard 8: Staff Training
We at Arcoiris Early Learning Center are committed to furthering staff member and child care provider knowledge on the Empower Program and Empower standards. In keeping with this philosophy, our facility will make sure that our staff members and child care providers receive three hours of training annually on age and developmentally-appropriate Empower topics. All training will be documented, and records will be readily available for review.
Standard 9: Arizona Smokers
We at Arcoiris Early Learning Center are committed to supporting the efforts of the Arizona Smokers’ Helpline (ASHLine) to help staff members and parents quit tobacco. In keeping with this philosophy and to protect the health of our children. Our facility promotes the ASHLine information on the dangers of second and third-hand smoke.
Standard 10: Smoke Free Environment
We at Arcoiris Early Learning Center are committed to providing a smoke-free environment for children and staff members. Due to hazard from exposure to second-hand smoke and as a recognized Empower child care facility, it shall be the policy of this child care facility to provide a tobacco-free environment for children, staff, child care providers and parents.
EMPOWER PROGRAM
We participate in the Empower Program, 10 Ways to Empower Children to Live Healthy Lives: Physical activity 60 minutes a day, Free and healthy food served in a family-style, oral health education and maintaining a no-smoking environment, to mention a few points.
Activities Parents Can Do with Their Children
Help me Grow...
- Let me help with the grocery shopping by handing you items from the shelves as you ask for them
- Encourage me to dress by myself completely by providing me with clothing that I can put on and take off by myself
- Introduce me to colors, numbers, letters and other concepts by playing with me.
- Give me responsibilities and chores appropriate to my capabilities.
- Show me how to write my name using capital and lowercase letters
- Speak to me in complete sentences using adult language.
- Read to me everyday
- Turn the television off, let’s play together
- Give me lots of hugs and kisses
- Listen to my needs
- Let me explore in safe places
The most important contribution you can make to your child’s learning and development is to take an interest in what your child does and says both at home and at school. We welcome you to our classroom at any time. In this way you can see first-hand how your child is learning.
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