Curriculum

We provide a structured, developmentally appropriate approach to learning while honoring childhood as a time of wonder, play, and discovery.

What is the Creative Curriculum?

The Creative Curriculum is built on decades of early childhood research and emphasizes:

  • Active, hands-on learning

  • Language-rich classrooms

  • Intentional teacher planning

  • Ongoing observation and assessment

  • Strong family partnerships

Children learn through purposeful play, small group instruction, and meaningful daily routines.

Two children dressed in yellow rain jackets and colorful rain boots are crouching in a muddy puddle, surrounded by fallen leaves and green grass in a forested area.

Socio-emotional development

Strong social-emotional skills form the foundation for academic success. At CCLC, teachers intentionally support children in learning to:

  • Recognize and manage emotions

  • Build positive peer relationships

  • Develop empathy and kindness

  • Practice responsibility and self-regulation

When children feel secure and valued, they are better able to take intellectual risks and grow.

Music and creativity

All students participate in weekly music instruction as part of our enrichment program, including Wednesday sessions with Music Marie, supported by a grant from the Rappahannock Association for Arts and Community (RAAC).

Music supports early language development, listening skills, rhythm, coordination, and joyful self-expression.

Children sitting on the floor participating in a puppet show with an adult woman using puppets. The setting appears to be a classroom or daycare with colorful decorations and storage shelves in the background.

Family Partnerships

Families are children’s first and most important teachers. Our educators work in partnership with families through ongoing communication, conferences, and shared goal-setting.

We believe that strong home-school relationships strengthen outcomes for children and build a cohesive community of care.

A young boy wearing a gray and red jacket, gray pants, and a hoodie is crouched down on the ground next to a slide, examining something with his hand. The ground is covered with brown leaves, and there is a chain-link fence in the background.
A boy reading a book outdoors at a wooden picnic table surrounded by fallen leaves with children playing in the background among trees with fall foliage and a house.
Close-up of a young boy with a big smile, wearing a yellow and black winter jacket with a logo that says "Tuffo," a brown hooded jacket underneath, and black boots. He is outdoors on snow-covered ground, holding a snowball.