Children's Cottage - Our Programs

Full service family childcare centers

Infants - Birth to 24 months "Honeybees" & "Caterpillars"
Preschool - 2 years to 3 years who are potty training "Ladybugs" & "Bumblebees"
Pre-K - 3 years to 5 years already potty trained "Butterflies" & "Dragonflies"

Kindergarten Year-round at 2813 Solano Ave (off Highway 29 between Lincoln & Redwood)

Infants "Honeybees" & "Caterpillars" Newborn to 24 months

There is one teacher to 3 or 4 infants in this program. Parents communicate every morning about any special needs their infants may have on each particular day. Loving and caring teachers give each infant lots of stimulation, attention, and time. We provide the baby wipes and you provide the diapers. Since infants may be sensitive or allergic to certain foods, you provide us with everything your infant will eat or drink. When they go into the next group, we will provide healthy snacks at mid-morning and mid-afternoon.

Integrated Total Language ("itl")

We are doing a program called Integrated Total Language, usually referred to by its short name itl (rhymes with little). In this program various forms of spoken and written language are interwoven. Children participate in activities suitable for their age level, to enhance spoken and written language development. We will be listening to stories about alphabet letters turned into animals that make funny noises (the major speech sounds represented by the letters), drawing the letter-animals, pretending to be these characters with dramatic play, and eventually writing letters, words, and whole sentences. Extensive and long-term research behind the itl program shows that this active involvement leads not only to early writing, but also provides strong foundation skills for beginning reading.

Preschool "Ladybugs" & "Bumblebees" 2 to 3 years

The child's independence is gently encouraged and supported as they begin to be challenged with a stronger academic program including language, math, science, art, blocks, manipulatives, and social studies with an emphasis on skills like sharing, compromise, problem solving, and teaching kindness. Teachers are right nearby to continue bonding and the diaper changing area is nearby in case of potty accidents. Access to the more challenging preschool playground allows the Ladybugs to enhance large and fine motor skills in a safe supervised environment.

Pre-Kindergarten "Butterflies" & "Dragonflies" 3 to 5 years

These 2 groups have teachers with much more qualifications than required by the state of California including Bachelor's Degrees, health & safety training, and Montessori training. The large, light filled room divided into learning centers is easily the most beautiful pre-kindergarten environment in Napa County. There is a library loft, dramatic play area with playhouse, dolls, and dress up clothes. Often the dramatic play area become a castle or space ship to enhance themes and learning. The Math & Science area has manipulatives for math play and a pretend grocery store for practical math application. Science & Math themes such as outer and inner space as well as planting and growing a garden are some activities the children love. The Puzzle area and Cutting Station promote brain development through fine motor skills and discovery. The Art area always has easels, paint, scissors, paper, glue, markers, crayons, clay, glitter, and a plethora of "free art" available. Additionally, children often embark on an art activity that may last for months. Smooth glass collage and wire sculpture are art projects that the children continue working on as long as they are passionate about the project. The children become quite accomplished artists.

In the Language area a teacher may often work with a small group of children with age-appropriate language activities. For example, the ITL phonics based learning to read program or play based language development such as the child making up a story into a tape recorder that later becomes a book for their library or a play post office where children write each other letters with pictures and words to copy.

Children's Cottage private Kindergarten

Available at 2813 Solano Avenue in Napa
We now offer a Private Kindergarten. Expect the same high quality programs that you already enjoy. Our kindergarten will set the gold standard. Here's how:

# LOW TEACHER STUDENT RATIO
At public school the ratio is 20 children to 1 teacher. Our private Kindergarten will have 1 teacher for around 10 students.
# DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE
Our curriculum is based on the California State Standards for Kindergarten with further enrichment of many other activities. Alta Heights Elementary school is using the same language program we used called "ITL". This makes the reading program consistent and successful. Our curriculum is designed around thematic units that integrate Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Music, Art, and Physical Education.

# FULL DAY PROGRAM WITH EXTENDED CARE ENRICHMENT
Kindergarten will start promptly at 9:00 am and continue until 3:00 pm Monday-Friday. The cost for regular kindergarten is $180 per week including before and after school care if needed.