Frequently Asked Questions
Why do families choose Garden Gate Child Development Center for their child’s early care and education?
Garden Gate provides the highest quality care available for toddlers and young children up to six years old. We provide a comprehensive early education program, laying the foundation for a lifetime of learning.
What is the curriculum?
The Garden Gate approach is grounded in current research and is influenced by the approach to early childhood education in the infant/toddler centers and preschools of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Our curriculum framework takes children from the foundational learning at home through a series of project based learning experiences that focus on the children’s emotional and social development. Our classrooms are designed as studio learning spaces where children work alongside teachers and visiting artists, using the arts to think more deeply and express their understanding. Literacy, math, science, and social studies are embedded in the children’s creative work.
How do you guide children’s behavior?
We prioritize the continued development of the community within our classrooms as well as a collaborative model of participation that reaches and connects to a broad Martha’s Vineyard community. Our teachers view each child as an individual, valued within the group. We set the foundation for democratic classrooms by giving each child a voice in establishing roles, rules, and agreements for working together as a group.
What about children who need extra support?
We provide an inclusive model of education that gives a voice to those who might otherwise struggle to be heard - very young children, non-English speaking children and their families, children with developmental challenges, supporting each child’s right to full participation.
What role do parents play?
Garden Gate is a family-oriented center and is strengthened by parent involvement in our programs and on our Board. We support families with parent education, community resources, daily communication and contact, and a community in which they can share the joys and challenges of raising young children.
What do families say about Garden Gate?
Garden Gate gives children the right to be free and explore their imaginations, while also providing a structure and learning curriculum that is appropriate for their age. We couldn’t be more thankful that we found an extended part of our family in the teachers at Garden Gate!
Nina Kiendzior
Parent
Garden Gate’s Art for Education program provides an enriching, unique and wonderful experience for our young children of the island. As a Kindergarten teacher I have appreciated the skills Garden Gate’s children have thanks to the Art for Education program.
Penny Wong
Former Garden Gate Parent and former Kindergarten Assistant, Tisbury School
Garden Gate has been the best possible introduction to school for my daughter and our family. We have seen her creativity, imagination and love of art and music blossom. With their very low student to teacher ratio, she is comfortable, safe, happy and free to explore. Big cheers to Garden Gate!
Erin Ryerson
Parent
As a parent who studied early education and who has worked in a variety of preschools, I am constantly blown away by Garden Gate. I would say the two aspects of Garden Gate that I love most are the care taken for each child and also the opportunities given each child. These opportunities come in the arts studio, outside exploring the world, and in his interactions with other students. We love Garden Gate!
Josie Black
Parent
As an educator myself, I can attest to the quality education and loving care provided by Garden Gate, the diverse and creative programming they provide for the children, and the tight-knit support they garner from their families and our community.
Chris Baer, MEd
Former Garden Gate Parent and MVRHS teacher
Garden Gate has been the perfect first school experience for our son. I feel confident that he is going to school and learning and developing in ways that work best for him as an individual, while still working on becoming a good peer and citizen.
Sarah Barrington
Parent
Garden Gate treated my child as a small human with growing thoughts and feelings, not just a kid in preschool. Through art and exploring the world outside my child was able to be her best self!
Veronika Buckley
Parent