Welcome!
At Smart Start Preschool, children most often: Lead…rather than follow the teacher. Create…rather than duplicate. Move…rather than wait. Initiate…rather than imitate. Raise questions…rather than answer the teacher’s questions. Solve their own problems…rather than the teacher’s problems. Make art…rather than do crafts. Make books…rather than fill in workbooks. Decide…rather than submit. Choose wisely…rather than being told. Try again…rather than fail.
Adapted from Sandra Crosser’s, The Butterfly Garden.
Erin Tippetts: owner/head teacher
Erin Tippetts, a Hidden Springs resident, is a mother of three children. She has a bachelor’s degree from Utah State University in human development with early childhood, and has over 20 years of teaching experience. Over the years, she has taught preschool in various early childhood centers, was the owner of a preschool in Sun Valley, ran an interactive parent/toddler program, taught Kindermusik, and spent 19 summers as the owner of a summer day camp in Sun Valley, Idaho. Erin currently runs the Hidden Springs Kid's Camp during the summer months, has been the owner of Smart Start Preschool since 2007 and was honored in Idaho Business Revue’s 2009 Women of the Year magazine.
** Erin Tippetts is that rare teacher who has perfected the art of generating and sustaining enthusiasm in her young students while maintaining an atmosphere of respect and regard. I’ve never seen small children have so much fun while behaving so responsibly! She brings out the best in them. We started our oldest at Smart Start and expect to continue until our youngest heads off to kindergarten. –Christine Allred
Program Highlights
Daily Schedule
**Teacher/student ratio is 1:7 or 1:8
**Foundation skills taught in reading, writing, math, music, dance, and Spanish
**Artistic creation in a hands on manner, involving various art materials and methods. Art projects are designed to enhance self-expression, fine motor skills and creativity.
**Yoga and Mindfulness on a bi- monthly basis
**Kindermusik movement and music program on a weekly basis
**Gardening and outdoor education at the Hidden Springs organic garden
**Discovery in nature and science
**Movement and exercise (both large and small motor)
**Social development: sharing, small & whole groups, problem solving, following directions, self-esteem, conflict resolution, verbal expression and more
9:00 – 9:15 Greeting/Arrival
9:15 - 9:30 Morning Circle
9:30 - 10:30 Self-selected Learning
10:30 – 10:45 Clean-up and Circle Time
10:45 – 11:00 Snack
11:00 – 11:15 Recess
11:15 – 11:30 Groups/Enrichment Programs
(Music, Show & Tell, Library or Yoga)
Art Table: Each day, an age appropriate art activity is available for the children. The activities will include gluing, painting, coloring and creating with a variety of art materials. Creations may not always look complete or pretty, but it is the process, rather than the product that is important.
Activity Table: May include such items as puzzles, stencils, stationary, games, play dough, manipulatives, aesthetic and cognitive based activities
Writing Center: Paper, pencils, stencils, stationary, glue, notebooks, envelopes, stamps, stickers and other writing accessories for children to “write” with.
Dramatic Play Area: Will change regularly in theme and materials.
Easel: Available for painting, drawing and artistic creations.
Sensory Table: Including such materials as water, sand, birdseed, flour, rice, shaving cream, beans, paper & scissors, etc.
Block Center: Wooden blocks, legos, and other manipulatives to create and build with.
Science/Math Corner: Science projects and activities to investigate, such as scales, magnifying glasses, measuring utensils, nature items, etc.
Library Area: A cozy corner with books and books on CD, which will change in theme and variety regularly, for children to relax and enjoy and read.
Self-Selected Centers:
2020-2021
School Calendar
August 17 : back to school night
August 17: meet the teacher/ orientation
August 18 & 19: first day of school
September 7: No School –labor day
October 16: No School
October 22-23: No School
October 29 & 30: halloween party
November 19 & 20: Friendship Feast
November 23-27: No School- thanksgiving Vacation
December 18: Winter Performance
December 19 & 20: Christmas Party
December 23– Jan 8: No School - winter Break
January 18: No School – martin Luther King Jr Day
February 15: No School- president’s Day
March 4: Kindergarten Registration
March 22 - 26: No School- spring Break
May 7: Mother’s Day Tea
May 25: Moving Up Ceremony
May 26 & 27 - last Day of School
2020-2021
Curriculum
AUGUST: All About Me!
SEPTEMBER: Transportation & Tools
OCTOBER: Harvest and Halloween
NOVEMBER: Pioneers and Thanksgiving
DECEMBER: Christmas around the World
JANUARY: Australia
FEBRUARY: Valentine’s Day and Communication
MARCH: Dinosaurs
APRIL: Nursery Rhymes
MAY: Pets