Our Studio Classrooms
Our classrooms are designed as studio spaces where children are free to explore, create and extend learning through a variety of creative materials. At Garden Gate, we believe children come into this learning space filled with theories to test, ideas that they would like to investigate and stories they would like to share. Having spacious and light filled studio workspaces enables children to select the materials they need to express themselves in a multitude of creative languages. Their creations - and their creative process - allow children to connect with each other as they explore the projects and concepts that are important to them, both as individuals and in small groups. Teachers facilitate this work by carefully observing children and listening to their thoughts and perspectives, and then inviting them to more deeply explore ideas while encouraging them to make meaningful connections with the materials and with each other.
Through this coactive creative work in our learning studios, children begin to develop an understanding of social relationships, including an ability to negotiate and collaborate, to take another's perspective and provide empathy, to persevere through social challenges and to become solution-seekers within our community.
Our large, expansive outdoor classroom plays a large part in the learning and exploring at Garden Gate. Connecting with nature plays a significant role in the health and development of children. In the outdoor classroom children have an opportunity to investigate natural life, collaborate with friends on large scale projects and challenges and create work that reflects their understanding of ideas. Outdoors, children have the space and freedom to work together or to find a quiet place to daydream and contemplate the world.
Studio Two
Our "big kids", ages 4 and 5, are competent, creative, co-actors in the daily life of the Studio Two. This combined Kindergarten/Preschool program is designed to foster cooperative play and work in a setting that is rich in materials and opportunities. Children may explore and learn through construction and engineering play, through drama and make believe, through the graphic languages of writing and drawing, by designing and conducting scientific experiments, or through books and storytelling.
Focused project work takes place in the classroom, in the studio and outdoors. Our dynamic learning community embraces the ideas of children, teachers and parents. And project work evolves from the interests and ideas presented in this broad community.
Working together in small groups, the children in Studio Two develop an understanding of social relationships, including an ability to negotiate and collaborate, to take another's perspective and provide empathy, to persevere through social challenges and to be solution-seekers within our community. Our teacher to child ratio of 2:14 ensures that each child's voice is known and heard.
Studio One
The younger children at Garden Gate, aged 15 months to 3 years old, enjoy a playful introduction to group activity and creative exploration. Our classroom is divided into three areas, Creative Drama, Creative Arts and Creative Construction. With a teacher to child ratio of 2:8, children are afforded plenty of individual attention in an intimate setting.
Children in Studio One develop relationships with teachers and friends while exploring a wide variety of open-ended materials that spark curiosity and cultivate creativity. Children develop knowledge about materials, play, and relationships that form the foundation for preschool learning.
We spend time in the classroom, in the studio, and outdoors, enjoying each other's company and discovering the world around us.