The faculty of the Early Childhood Learning Center consists of four certified early childhood teachers. Each class is assigned a paraprofessional who assists the classroom teacher with the day-to-day classroom activities. Additionally, the program serves as a training site for the University of Hartford Early Childhood Education program and accommodates fieldwork students and interns as well as undergraduate and graduate student teachers, who work under the supervision of the UHMS teachers.
The Early Childhood Learning Center at UHMS has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children – the nation's leading organization of early childhood professionals.
The curriculum of the Early Childhood Learning Center has its base in both developmentally appropriate practices and in the Multiple Intelligences theory. The Early Childhood Learning Center will provide a stimulating, enriched environment within which children can grow and develop both intellectually and affectively. This environment will help children:
- Be independent
- Explore their intelligences
- Develop positive self-esteem
- Acquire problem-solving skills
- Use their creativity
- Develop their social, physical and communication skills
Children are exposed to a variety of hands-on discovery activities and materials on a daily basis within a thematic focus and in a developmentally appropriate environment. The children have the opportunity to make choices and are guided in their decision-making by the faculty.
The children's peer group includes those from diverse racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, as well as those with disabilities. They will have many opportunities throughout the day to practice and refine their interpersonal and intrapersonal intelligences.