Same school, same teachers, just a refreshed look. We have a sign hanging in the school that reads, "There are two things we should give our children, one is ROOTS and the other is WINGS! " This is where our new name stems from. Foundations has always worked to give children roots so they can open their wings and fly!
Infant/Toddler Outdoor Space
The MISSION of Roots to Wings School is to build a community of curious learners. Our school provides an authentic and ever evolving learning environment in which children, families, and teachers co-construct an emergent curriculum based on our individual and collective needs, cultures, interests, and knowledge.
Our VISION is to share our journey of learning and to inspire and redefine early care and education in our community.
The core of our philosophy of education draws inspiration from the work of the educators in the schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy and the work of Madga Gerber who promoted RIE practices in the care of infants and toddlers. Key components of our philosophy include:
Reggio-Inspired teaching requires a strong image of the child. We view children as capable and curious learners who construct their own knowledge through meaningful interactions within the environment and within the context of their relationships with others. This allows our children be the center of the learning taking place at school.
Respect is at the core of our work within our infant and toddler classrooms. We believe children are born as whole people and deserve respectful interactions with caring and attentive adults who engage them in the care-giving routines.
Our team of educators are well versed in child development. We use Wyoming's Early Learning Guidelines and Foundations as a framework to ensure we are supporting the whole child. We work to educate our teachers on best practices as this forms the groundwork for quality care. Wyoming’s Coherent Path to Quality is used to build a shared vision of high-quality learning in our state.
Learning is captured through images and quotes to share our journey with the children, families, and other educators. We know that when children reflect on and share their learning, it becomes more meaningful to them. In turn, creating a cycle of intrinsic motivation and a lifelong love of learning.
Creating calm and welcoming environments with touches of home provides a beautiful backdrop for learning. Environments are thoughtfully set up to invoke curiosity, encourage independence and provide opportunities to collaborate with others.
Our nearly 1/2 acre of outdoor space allows for ample opportunities to explore in the natural world, move our bodies, and take safe risks. Nature provides hands on learning and meaningful conversations when we experience seasons and weather, as well as when we try our hand at gardening, planting, and harvesting.
Loose Parts allow for flexible thinking, problem solving, experimentation, and foster creativity as children build, create, tell stories, and sort materials in an infinite number of ways. We use open-ended materials to allow for creative, innovative and child-led interest to surface through honoring children’s own thoughts and ideas.
Our family advisory board (FAB!) is a vital component of our school. From book studies, parents socials, fundraising, and volunteer opportunities, our parents help hold our school up! Bringing families into our classrooms creates a strong home to school connection to help reduce the stress of transitions children are often faced with when joining a new school
Risky play is an essential part of development in young children. We allow children the opportunity to climb, jump, balance, use tools, move with great speed, retreat in hideouts, and experience agreeable horse play. Benefits of risky play include problem solving, working through stressful situations, building teamwork, as well as, setting and recognizing their own limits.