First Step Program

(12-18 MONTHS OLD)*

The Malvern School provides First Steppers with a warm, stimulating environment and daily opportunities to explore and make choices under the guidance of a caring teacher. Our curriculum** focuses on building independence and confidence while engaging in fun, age-appropriate learning activities. Our small group provides a sense of security during this transition period from infancy to toddlerhood.

*Age ranges are approximate. **The Malvern School Curriculum is fully aligned with State Early Learning Standards.

Cognitive-Skills-Cognitive-Ability

Advancement of cognitive abilities with daily activities related to colors, textures, shapes, and basic awareness of letter and number concepts.

Language-and-Communication-and-Vocabulary

Language and communication skill-building through naming or asking for familiar objects, repeating common words or phrases, listening, reading, and singing.

Social/emotional well being through positive interactions with teaching staff and peers, problem-solving skills, and imaginative play.

Nurturing-Curiosity

Nurturing curiosity and interest in the world around them as well as learning through inquiry and exploration.

Motor-Skills

Development of physical skills with daily attention to improving walking, grasping, self-feeding, and hand-eye coordination, along with dumping/filling and stacking/knocking down.

Arts-Crafts-Music-1

Enjoyment of art and music experiences such as simple songs and fingerplays, exploring musical instruments, dancing, use of simple art materials, as well as creating and responding to art.

Imagination-and-Exploration

First Steppers have the opportunity to explore in our Fascination Station. With a teacher close at hand, your child can explore in the sensory center, pretend, do arts & crafts, make music, scoot, or listen to a story.

The Malvern School is dedicated to educating young children through diverse and innovative programming. When choosing The Malvern School, families' expectations are met through our commitment to providing the finest curriculum and staff, all in a nurturing environment. We pride ourselves on implementing a curriculum that is designed to meet your child's individual needs as well as meeting both NAEYC best practices and Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards. At the Malvern School, your child will learn and feel loved.

NAEYC Accreditation

The Malvern School curriculum is designed to meet or exceed the standards established by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the nation’s largest early childhood accrediting organization.

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Health & Safety Commitment

At The Malvern School, always putting the children – and their health and safety – first is a responsibility that we are committed to delivering on every day.

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Parent Engagement

We are proud to partner with Tadpoles to send daily profiles, pictures, and more. You won’t find this elevated level of communication at traditional daycares. Our parents rave about the thorough reports they receive.

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Experienced Teachers

Our teachers are college educated in early childhood education and/or elementary education and have a wealth of experience in the field. Our Lead Teachers plan, supervise, and implement an early childhood education program in accordance with The Malvern School philosophy and NAEYC standards.

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A Typical Day In Our First Step Classroom

Children arrive at The Malvern School, get settled in, and begin participating in learning center activities.

First Step students are consistently encouraged to develop self-help skills such as hand washing, cleaning up after meals, and identifying their belongings.

The Malvern School provides 2 organic snacks each day.

Includes greeting songs, books, fingerplays and introduction of concepts.

Activities from the curriculum plan include: cognitive, language, social/emotional, physical, art experiences and music.

We have 3 age-appropriate playgrounds for every school: an infant playground, toddler playground, and pre-k and up playground.

Activities from the curriculum plan include: cognitive, language, social/emotional, physical, art experiences and music.

Activities include: dramatic play, art, book nook, manipulatives and music.

Activities from one of the categories of the curriculum plan (cognitive, language, social/emotional, physical, art experiences and music.)

Parent-provided lunches are given to the children at this time. Cleaning up after meals is also an encouraged skill.

Children will participate in quiet activities as they transition from lunch to their rest time.

Children will take time to nap or rest and recharge before continuing with their day.

Hand washing, cleaning up after meals, and identifying their belongings.

The Malvern School provides 2 organic snacks each day.

Children will play in our age-appropriate infant playground.

Learning center activities will happen at this time. Teachers will communicate with parents/guardians at pick-up about their child’s day.

Other Early Childhood Education Programs

Choosing child care is one of the most important decisions you face as a parent. The Malvern School appreciates childhood as a special and unique stage of life. Our goal is to offer you and your child a high quality, developmentally appropriate program in a secure, creative, and stimulating environment. We offer programs for children aged 6 months all the way to 8 years, so your child can grow with Malvern over the years.