About Us - Freedom Park Preschool
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About U
2022
Preschool Founded
1982.
NGUMC Preschool
Association certifies Druid
Hills Preschool as a School
of Excellence
1994
New Playground Installed
2005
Capital Campaign to secure
and renovate the 2nd floor,
2007
Reggio Approach Officially The Basics
Adopted . Freedom Park Preschool is a private, not for pro t, half-day
2013
preschool program exempted from state licensing.
Search for New Home Welcoming approximately 175 children ages 18 months - 5
2016 years of age. We operate a school year calendar beginning
in-August and ending in May. We also o er a summer camp
Move and Renovation
502 Seminole program operating in June and July with exible options for
2017 children who are enrolled in our school year program.
Renamed FREEDOM We are a community of learners: children, families, and
PARK PRESCHOOL, educators from a variety of backgrounds. We incorporate
Dry Creek Bed, & Shade
Structure
that rich diversity and we draw upon that resource to
2018 provide a foundation for lifelong learning. As such we value
our partnership with the inclusion programming to serve
Brick pathway 2019
the needs of children with varying ability levels. Diversity,
Noted adaptive reuse of gender, and inclusion of children with special rights are
historic property other enrollment considerations as we strive to create a
diverse community of families, educators, and children.
2020
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No Way. The Hundred is There
The child History
is made of one hundred. Druid Hills United Methodist Church began a preschool
The child has
a hundred languages and mother’s morning out program in the fall of 1982. Over
a hundred hands the years the preschool continued to adapt and grow to
a hundred thoughts
a hundred ways of thinking
re ect a changing composition of educators, children, and
of playing, of speaking. families. We are an evolving organization. In the winter of
A hundred always a hundred 2015 the preschool was informed of the church’s intent to
ways of listening
of marveling, of loving sell. The school, along with a dedicated group of parent
a hundred joys volunteers then began a quest to nd a new home. In
for singing and understanding
a hundred worlds
November 2016 we found that home at 502 Seminole
to discover Avenue in Inman Park. This new chapter has begun with
a hundred worlds the renovation of our historic building and the development
to invent
a hundred worlds of the amazing green space into a wonderful place for
to dream. preschoolers! We announced our new name, Freedom Park
The child has
a hundred languages
Preschool in the Spring of 2018
(and a hundred hundred
hundred more) In the words of a proud parent of 3 children, ”What makes
but they steal ninety-nine. this Preschool special? It's an atmosphere of respect and joy, a truly
The school and the culture
separate the head from the
shared learning environment.. I see a stable yet ever changing
body. community that knows how to learn together, grow together and
They tell the child: have fun together, day a er day, year a er year. ~Andy Sarvady
to think without hands
to do without head 2008
to listen and not to speak
to understand without joy These words are as true today as they were in 2008
to love and to marvel
only at Easter and at
Christmas.
They tell the child:
to discover the world already
there
and of the hundred
they steal ninety-nine.
They tell the child:
that work and play
reality and fantasy
science and imagination
sky and earth
reason and dream
are things
that do not belong together.
And thus they tell the child
that the hundred is not there.
The child says:
No way. The hundred is there.
by: Loris Malaguzzi, (translated by
Lella Gandini)
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Educational Practic
2022
Flow of the Day
Time and schedule are
important components of a
creating a successful learning
environment. A exible ow of
the day is established to give
children the security necessary
to explore and deepen their
knowledge.
Music & Movement
Music and movement are vital to
children’s development and Educational Practice
well-being. They are a language
to which children are naturally As children develop understanding of the world, they
attracted and take great joy in build a co ection of ideas about how the physical and
experiencing and creating.
While music and movement are
social worlds work. Recent research on brain development
encountered in the classroom & and young children’s abilities su est that we have
on the playground at Freedom
Park Preschool, there are also
underestimated what children can do. And, since early
multi classroom educators who experiences are the foundation for later schooling and life,
collaborate to enrich and
early education – what we o er young children to think
deepen those encounters.
about—matters greatly
Studio Space
~ From theWonder of Learning Exhibit
Inspired by the ateliers of
Reggio Emilia, these studios are
laboratories for thinking and
investigating. The art studio
offers a wide variety of tools,
resources, and natural materials
for small groups to generate
inquiry and deepen research.
Educational Practice
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At Freedom Park Preschool we view the curriculum as all the
experiences children are engaged in throughout the day.
Purposeful play is at the heart of these experiences and cultivates
independent thinking, problem-solving skills, mental exibility,
and complex high-level thought. In our educational practice
classroom teachers and resource educators work together to
•Make preparations that engage children’s thinking process and
o er developmentally appropriate challenges
The Learning Environment
•Make hypotheses about possible directions projects might take
The learning environment is itself to capitalize on children’s curiosity and wonder
a teacher. The physical space
welcomes children and adults, Teachers facilitate children’s explorations of themes and work on
fosters encounters with learning short and long term research projects. Projects may start from a
materials, and encourages chance event, an idea or question posed by children, or an
communication with each other. experience o ered by teachers and educators. In this balance of
Our educators arrange, organize child and teacher initiated activities the curriculum emerges and
and plan a learning environment
evolves.
that is inviting, sensory rich,
beautiful, unhurried and inspires Embedded within these research projects and play based
learning. activities are the foundations of “academic” preparations.
“We must provide for children those Children and educators are actively engaged daily in brain-based,
kinds of environments that elicit meaningful experiences in language, mathematics, science, art,
their interests and talents and that music, and social interactions. We utilize theGeorgia
deepen their engagement in practice Department of Early Care and Learning’a (Bright from the Start)
and thought.” ~ David Hawkins research based and developmentally appropriate curriculum
framework upon which to build opportunities for children.
An environment supportive of
The Re io Approach is not a pre-set curriculum but a
learning allows children to process of inviting and sustaining learning.~ Le a Gandini
• make choices,
• use a wide variety of materials,
• move around,
• work alone and in both small
and large groups,
• engage all the senses,
• encounter new experiences as
well as time to revisit
experiences.
Educational Practice
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Educator
2022
Extra Classroom
Educators
• Atelierista or studio
educator who specializes
in o ering materials and
resources to both
classroom teachers and
in the studio to inspire
and provoke additional Recognizing that teaching and learning are relationship
based processes, each of our classrooms is sta ed with
complexity in thought
two co-teachers who collaborate with one another and
and learning with Multi Classroom Educators to support children’s
learning and development. Our teachers are carefully
• Naturalist or resident
selected for their experience and education in early
expert who supports a childhood as well as a commitment to the importance of
focus on science purposeful play, a loving and caring approach to young
learning especially in children, and a passion for learning. To model and
engage in learning all sta pursue ongoing professional
regard to the natural
development.
world
As COVID protocols are eased Extra Classroom
• Music and Movement Educators will once again collaborate with classroom
because children love, teachers to o er a variety of rich and inspiring
music, dance, running, experiences that provoke new ideas and interests.
climbing, riding and
learn joyfully with their
whole bodies
Educators
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What Parents and Children
Are Saying
Loving professional teachers provide a warmth of heart
that is palpable walking down the hall. Children are
honored and understood and accepted where they are
developmentally. ~11/2008
My teachers are very patient with my child. He has
struggled with behavior with peers and they always look
at his bright side. ~ 5/2018
We have a long term staff.
The majority have been
with our school more than My child’s teachers have the expectation that students
10 years. We work and can and will give their best. They do it all with humor,
learn together. The patience, and warmth that help students ourish. They
teachers engage in 20 were exactly what my child needed and now I only need
hours of professional to clone them. ~ 8/2015
development each year.
“I like my teachers because they let us do what we want
with our art. They don’t tell us what to make.” ~ Drew
“A strong image of the age 5.
child has to correspond to
a strong image of the
teacher. Teachers are not
considered protective
baby-sitters, teaching
basic skills to children but
rather they are seen as
learners along with the
children. They are
supported, valued for their
experience and their
ideas, and seen as
researchers.”
~Lella Gandini
Educators
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Parent
2022
Famly
In the Famly app each class
shares events, photos, and
documentation about life in
the classroom as well as share
their re ections about
activities and progress.
Orientation & Parent
Conversations
In addition to regular
communications in the Famly
app, there are also planned
opportunities for parents to visit
classrooms, hear from teachers,
peruse portfolios, and meet other
parents.
Parent Participation
In August there is a classroom
It is our goal to involve parents not simply by informing
meet & greet and a parent
orientation. Special you about the events and day to day life of the classrooms,
accommodations will be made in but as a partner in re ecting about children’s learning. We
response to recommended invite you to share your family traditions, your talents, and
COVID protocols as these dates participate with us to connect your child’s experience from
approach.
home to school and from school to home.
In the Fall there is a parent night
intended to give parents an
update on their child’s
experience as a part of their
preschool family. In the spring
the preschool will close for one
day to host parent teacher
conversations.
Parents
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Portfolios
Portfolios have layers of
importance to teachers,
parents, and children. For
teachers, they are a way of
clarifying our thinking,
A Picture Is Worth a capturing our observations,
Thousand Words? focusing our re ections and
telling stories that are
If that’s true, then just imagine
important and moving to us.
what pictures and words can
reveal to us. As educators we They are one of the ways we
share photos and videos to make our respect for the
create partnerships with families. children's work and our
Communication is at the heart of A child discovers his hand print tender feelings about their
building relationships that will from a year ago in his portfolio.
individuality visible to them
support children’s learning. We and to you, their families
want you to know what’s
happening in our school and we For parents, your child’s portfolio is a window into his or her life
want to know what you observe at school, an explanation of our educational practice, and a
too. Here are some of the ways source of joy and pride. We intend for portfolios to deepen your
we share.. understanding and appreciation of your child’s learning as it
• Famly App Newsfeed develops and is achieved over time
• Portfolios & Famly App And for children, portfolios say, "You are the protagonist in a
observations (individual compelling story. What you do and what you learn are
children) recognized and appreciated. The grown-ups in your life see you,
respect you, and value your ideas.” And eventually, we hope the
• eNews, school wide.
portfolios are a rich archive and inspiration for children as they
• Website, Facebook ,Twitter, remember their preschool days, re ect on their identity and
and Instagram. their unique path; and make choices about who they will be and
what they will do in the world.
• Opportunities for casual
conversation daily at pick-up
and drop-off.
• Classroom meetings plus a
chance to engage with other
parents in your child’s
classroom.
• Parent Conversations (more
formal individualized
exchanges with educators
about your child.)
Parents
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Freedom Park Preschool 2022 - 2023
STRUCTURE & FEES
Rooms Age Schedule
Caterpillars 18-23 mos. Any 2 days
Las Libelulas 24-36 mos 2,3, 4, or 5 days
Busy Bees 24-36 mos 2, 3, 4, or 5 days
North Stars 3 years 3, 4, or 5 days
Sun Rays 3 years 3, 4, or 5 days
Gotitas del Saber 3 years 5 days
Italians 3 & 4 years 5 days
El Bosque 4 years 5 days
Loft 4 years 5 days
The Nest 5 years 5 days
COSTS AND FEE SCHEDULE 2022 - 2023
Freedom Park Preschool o ers a scholarship program providing tuition assistance. Contact
preschoolinfo@freedomparkpreschool.org for further information about the application process.
Registration Fee $150 rst child, $120 additional child
Activity & Supply Fee $350 per child
Annual Tuition 2022-2023 fee schedule
January - March & ongoing Registration fee due at
2 days per week 3,937
time of registration
3 days per week 5,239 March 1 - April 5, 2022 Tuition account set-up
and 1st payments due
4 days per week 6,552
April 5, 2022 Deadline for annual
tuition refund
5 days per week 7,862
August 5, 2022 $350 activity & supply
PreK & Multi-age 8,190 fee due
September 2022 - April 2023 Installment/ Monthly
young 5’s 8,736
plan payments
$
$
$
$
$
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FREEDOM PARK PRESCHOOL
Sample Schedules
Flow of the Day
The schedule for young learners is built around a balance of teacher supported free choice play and
teacher led small and large group activities. Research tells us that learning is optimal for young
children when there is a balance between these two and value is given to periods of uninterrupted
play.
We are a Reggio Inspired Project Based Preschool and we value a natural rhythm in our classroom.
There are set times for morning meetings and gatherings, music and movement (as a large group
activity), lunch, library story time, and playground time. Visiting the atelier or nature studio is done
in small groups and is based on age group, classroom, or school wide project work.
Discovery 11:30ish Diaper check (diapers are changed
throughout the day, as needed, but a little check
(Under 2’s on Sept. 1st) never hurts)
9:00 Arrival on the Playground weather
11:30 Free Play (includes art experiences and
permitting.
singing/music)
9:45 Morning meeting in the sandbox (welcome
12:00 Snack time
song & weather song)
12:30 Story Time. (check out “Caterpillar
10:45 Wash hands 11:00 Lunch
books and songs”)
1:00 Good-byes. Pick up time.
Explorer Group
(2 year olds) Example of visual schedule for children.FREEDOM PARK PRESCHOOL SAMPLE PROJECTS & SCHEDULES
Adventurer Group VOYAGERS - 4 & 5 Year
(3 year olds) Example of visual old groups.
schedule for children. Example of schedule shared with
parents: “Please remember that our
school day starts at 9:30. We have a
morning meeting daily at 10 am and
mystery reader every Friday at 10:00 so
please try to come on time.
9:30-10:00 School Arrival and Choice
Play
10:00-10:30-Morning Meeting and
Reading
10:30-11:30- Small Group Project work/
Snack
11:30-12:15-Bathroom break/ Lunch
and Reading
12:15-12:30-Prepare to go outside
12:30-1:30 Playground & Outside
Activities”FREEDOM PARK PRESCHOOL
Sample Projects
Connecting Project Based Learning to Georgia Early Learning and
Developmental Standards (GELDS)
Pounding
Each child was given
2 balls of dough.
Gingerbread Men
Discovery (Under 2’s)
As a part of the daily routine the children transition from the playground, where Tasting, Smelling,
they begin their day, to inside. As you can imagine they move at different rates Feeling
and many of them enjoy a running up the ramps. The teachers began to pretend
to chase them and sing, “Run, run, as fast you can. You can’t catch me I’m the PDM4. The child will use
senses to explore the
gingerbread man!” It was a gleeful experience. Soon a version of the story was environment and
found in book form and read to the children regularly. process information.
Collaborate
ATELIERISTA & NATURALIST
create a gingerbread doll Counting
that looks like the CD-MA1: The child will
organize, represent, and
gingerbread man in their
build knowledge of
book.(CLL), quantity and number.FREEDOM PARK PRESCHOOL SAMPLE PROJECTS & SCHEDULES
What Can Glue Do? touch and the fun of watching it puddle when
you squeeze and squeeze. Next came the
Explorers ( 2’s). An Age Group Project exploration about materials that can be glued.
How much glue does it take? Where does the
What can glue do? First an introduction to the
glue need to be make an object stick? Glue is
material. How do you open it? Let’s practice
added to the classroom mini atelier and children
and experience what happens. In the atelier the
are given the freedom to continue their
children learn in small groups with Ms. Roberta
explorations. Teachers add a wide variety of
how to use glue. They are given the freedom to
materials for gluing and containers for sorting.
explore the material thoroughly and as always
Individual glue projects make way for group
children are natural scientists - theorizing and
glue projects. Children are proud of their work.
experimenting freely. Even turning the cap and
GELDS Domains: PDM, SED, CLL, CD: Sub-
finding that the glue only comes out when it’s domains: Math & Science.
open is a learning moment. Some children
enjoy the tactile experience glue offers to the
OPEN SQUEEZE CREATEFREEDOM PARK PRESCHOOL SAMPLE PROJECTS & SCHEDULES
Chicken Soup With Rice! The teachers make plans to extend the market play
and build a connections in the classroom with a
Adventurers (3 years) walking field trip to Sevananda right here in our
community. There they will purchase the supplies
As Fall approached teachers from the Sun Rays chose needed for their vegetarian chicken soup with rice. At
one of their favorite children’s books, Chicken Soup Sevananda the staff were welcoming and helpful.
with Rice by Maurice Sendak. They discovered an They shared strawberries for the children to taste and
accompanying song and the book quickly became a allowed children to explore and experience the
favorite and was requested daily. produce on their shopping list. The children returned
excited by their walk in the neighborhood as well as all
Also as a part of noticing the changing seasons, there the groceries they’d purchased.
was a discussion of the school garden at morning
meeting. From that discussion the Sun Rays decided In the following days children revisited their
to turn their dramatic play area into a farmer’s market. experience as they continued to play in their classroom
The teachers worked to set up an engaging play area market. They also began the process of cooking their
with cash registers, baskets of fruits and vegetables, chicken soup. They chopped and tasted vegetables,
shopping baskets and bags, etc. As children play they measured ingredients, and worked together to prepare
are engaged in counting, sorting, negotiating, their very own delicious chicken soup with rice!
planning, writing, and building upon their
understanding of the world and each other. • GELDS Domains SED, APL, CLL, CD-subdomains: math,
social studies, science.
THE PROJECT APPROACH
Projects begin in different ways. Teachers make plans that are then
influenced by the direction children take those plans. A project may
begin with a wonderful book like Chicken Soup With Rice. The fun of
the Reggio Emilia approach is that you never know when a provocation
will turn into something bigger. Our job as their teachers is to provide
endless opportunities for the children and see what “sparks." Motivated
by their interest children engage in sustained play and persevere in their
attempts to learn quantity and correspondence. GELDS Domain
Communication, Language & Literacy, Math Understanding, Science &
Nutrition.FREEDOM PARK PRESCHOOL SAMPLE PROJECTS & SCHEDULES
Birthday Celebrations “Relationships create
meaningful
Voyagers (4 & 5 years)
motivation where real
We believe it is important to celebrate and
honor each child on his/her birthday. In doing
learning takes place”
so, we invite parents (and grandparents) to visit
and share their child's favorite book, baby The children also work together to create a
pictures, and other family traditions and stories special gift for the birthday child. They find out
important to the birthday child. about each other and choose for the birthday
child their favorite things, colors. The class
At the beginning of the year we decided that it creates a name sign that is special to the
would be fun to cook something together for birthday child. GELDS Domains: PDM, SED,
the birthday person. We all agreed on APL, CLL, CD (all sub-domains.
pancakes ! The honoree gets to choose a
favorite ingredient to add to the pancakes.
BIRTHDAY PANCAKES ACROSS ALL LEARNING DOMAINS LITERACY, SCIENCE, SOCIAL STUDIES,
& MATHFREEDOM PARK PRESCHOOL SAMPLE PROJECTS & SCHEDULES
Once children are
helped to perceive
themselves as
authors or
inventors, once they
are helped to
discover the
pleasure of inquiry,
their motivation and
interests explode.”
~Loris Malguzzi
Creating Monster It all began with the book “How to Catch a
Monster” by Adam Wallace. Teachers noticed a
Traps strong interest and soon the children were
Voyagers - Kindergartners designing and building monster traps. Materials
had to be collected and assembled. There were
In addition to games and targeted activities to many suggestions and several trips to the atelier
build on the early foundations of reading and needed. Designing began and some traps
mathematical thinking, projects are a more became collaborative builds while others were
organic way of implementing new knowledge built individually. What began to stand out was
while also including important STEAM and how much the children wanted to share their
collaborative social skill building as well. thinking and plans for their traps. The class
Kindergarteners show off their sustained then decided to invite the parents for a special
interest, problem solving, engineering, creativity Monster Trap Presentation where each child had
and more during this Monster Traps Project. the opportunity to proudly present their trap.
THE CHILDREN TURNED THEIR STOOL INTO A WORKING COLLABORATIVELY PRESENTING MONSTER TRAPS TO FRIENDS
MONSTER TRAP TOOL HOLDER. & FAMILY IS A PROUD MOMENT.You can also read
