Play-based Curriculum
What is PBC?
The Monarch Center’s play-based curriculum is brought to life by our passionate and dedicated teachers who embrace the power of play as a transformative learning tool. By providing a nurturing and stimulating environment, fostering personalized learning experiences, and encouraging social and emotional development, our teachers pave the way for young learners to flourish and thrive as they embark on their educational journey.
In the play-based approach, teachers at the Monarch Center provide a carefully crafted space that encourages exploration and discovery. Our learning center was thoughtfully set up with a diverse array of materials, toys, and activities that cater to various interests and developmental stages. The Monarch Center is designed to inspire children to engage in hands-on experiences and imaginative play, setting the stage for meaningful learning opportunities.
Our teachers keenly observe the children as they play, identifying teachable moments and assessing their interests and strengths. By doing so, they gain valuable insights into each child’s unique learning style and tailor their guidance accordingly. This personalized approach ensures that every child can flourish and grow at their own pace, feeling supported and encouraged along the way.
Within the play-based curriculum, structured activities are thoughtfully integrated to complement and extend the learning experience. These activities are designed to stimulate critical thinking, problem-solving, and cooperation, further enhancing the children’s cognitive and social skills. However, at the Monarch Center, the primary focus remains on allowing the children to lead their learning journey through play.
Our teachers embrace the role of active participants in the children’s play, gently guiding and prompting when necessary. They skillfully scaffold learning experiences, asking open-ended questions and offering opportunities for further exploration. This guidance helps children delve deeper into their interests, fostering a sense of autonomy and self-discovery.
Through play, children at The Monarch Center develop essential life skills such as communication, empathy, and self-regulation. Our teachers foster a positive and inclusive classroom community, where children learn to cooperate, negotiate, and respect one another’s ideas and feelings. This social-emotional learning is a vital component of our play-based curriculum, preparing children to navigate the world with confidence and empathy.
4 Key Development Areas
Cognitive Development
In this area, we focus on developing your child’s thinking, problem-solving, and memory skills. Through play-based activities, your child will engage in puzzles, shape sorting, and matching games to enhance cognitive abilities. Our curriculum also includes storytelling sessions to stimulate imagination and language development. Additionally, we introduce early math concepts like counting and basic arithmetic in a fun and interactive manner.
Social and Emotional Development
We prioritize the social and emotional growth of your child as they interact with peers and caregivers. Group play activities like building blocks, dramatic play, and pretend games encourage cooperation, sharing, and communication skills. Our caregivers also emphasize emotional awareness and self-expression, guiding children in understanding and managing their feelings in a positive way.
Physical Development
Physical activities are an integral part of our curriculum to promote gross and fine motor skills. Your child will participate in outdoor play, obstacle courses, and movement games to enhance their coordination and balance. Indoor activities like drawing, cutting, and crafting contribute to fine motor skill development, preparing them for future writing tasks. These activities also foster an active and healthy lifestyle.
Language and Literacy Development
Our play-based curriculum provides numerous opportunities for language enrichment and literacy development. Through engaging stories, rhymes, and songs, your child will strengthen their vocabulary and listening skills. We also encourage early writing experiences, such as scribbling and tracing, to foster pre-writing skills. Additionally, our caregivers engage in meaningful conversations with the children, nurturing their language fluency and communication abilities.
Our Story
The Monarch Center for Child Development was founded in 2023 by a group of passionate and experienced professionals who share a vision of providing high-quality and individualized care for young children. Our founders have backgrounds in education, psychology, and applied behavior analysis, and they have combined their expertise to create a unique and innovative childcare facility that caters to the diverse needs and interests of each child.
Our name, The Monarch Center, reflects our belief that every child has the potential to transform and grow into a beautiful and confident learner. Just like the monarch butterfly, which undergoes a remarkable metamorphosis from a caterpillar to a butterfly, our children are constantly evolving and discovering new aspects of themselves and the world around them. We aim to support and nurture this process by providing a safe, stimulating, and playful environment where children can explore, experiment, and express themselves freely.
At The Monarch Center, we follow a play-based curriculum that is aligned with the Michigan NAEYC early childhood standards for learning and development. Our teachers are passionate and dedicated to bringing this curriculum to life by creating engaging and meaningful learning experiences that foster children’s cognitive, social, emotional, physical, and creative development. Our teachers also use positive behavior support strategies to promote children’s self-regulation, problem-solving, and cooperation skills.
We believe that every child is unique and deserves individualized attention and care. That’s why we offer small class sizes, low teacher-to-child ratios, and flexible scheduling options to accommodate each family’s needs and preferences. We also provide an optional lunch program partnered with our parent company, The Oxford Center.
We are more than just a childcare center; we are a community of learners who value diversity, inclusion, respect, and collaboration. We welcome families from all backgrounds and cultures, and we strive to create a warm and supportive atmosphere where everyone feels valued and appreciated. We invite you to join us on this exciting journey of learning and growing together!
Philosophy & Mission
The Monarch Center for Child Development is a place where children learn through play. We offer a play-based curriculum that follows children’s interests and supports their growth in all domains. Our educators are caring and supportive partners in children’s learning. We respect and celebrate the diversity of our community and create a sense of belonging for everyone. Our mission is to provide high-quality early childhood education that prepares children for lifelong learning and success.
Helping Your Child Play, Learn, & Soar
What We Offer
Curicculum
Our curriculum is designed to meet state standards for early childhood education while fostering essential developmental areas. Click below to learn about four key areas of development and the types of activities your child will experience:
Programs
Infant Program
In our infant classroom, we prioritize each baby's individual needs, ensuring that they feel secure and cherished throughout the day. We maintain a low teacher-to-infant ratio, allowing us to offer personalized attention and support for every child.
Toddler Program
In our toddler classroom, we foster a play-based learning approach that encourages hands-on experiences and imaginative play. Colorful learning centers offer a variety of age-appropriate toys and activities, sparking creativity and cognitive development.
Young Preschool
In our preschool classroom, we embrace a play-based curriculum that combines structured activities with child-led exploration. Learning centers are filled with age-appropriate materials, books, and engaging toys, encouraging hands-on learning and creativity.
Preschool/Pre-K
In our Pre-K classroom, we follow a comprehensive curriculum that balances play-based learning with structured activities. Learning centers are thoughtfully arranged with stimulating materials, books, and educational games, fostering hands-on exploration and imaginative play.
Monarch Meals
Food is the fuel for learning! To help ensure that your child is receiving the proper nutrition they need, as well as to make life easier for you, The Monarch Center has partnered with The Oxford Center to offer a food program which provides prepared meals for your little ones!
Optional Therapy
We offer optional speech, occupational, and physical therapies, integrated seamlessly into their daycare experience. These services, covered by insurance, support diverse developmental needs, fostering growth in a nurturing environment.
