Ascension Childcare

ACC offers high quality early childhood care and education, is an accredited school in Shelburne, VT and has been serving the community for 30 years. Currently we serve 67 families and 80 children ages six weeks to five years old. Since its inception the center has served more than 2,000 children. We are an active community partner in promoting awareness and opportunity for the field of early education. ACC is an independent, 501(c)3 non-profit that operates as an accredited and 5 STAR rated early childhood care and education program.

At Ascension, we believe in quality early childhood education and understand it is an integral part of our community. We are committed to supporting families. We strive to empower children to learn, to be curious investigators, to interact positively with others, and grow to be healthy. We do this by offering a safe environment for children that provides enriching, nurturing, and growth-enhancing experiences for all ages and abilities.

We provide an emotionally secure setting to explore and learn. This is achieved through developmentally appropriate settings where children are supported by consistent teachers. Children learn to feel comfortable expressing their needs, desires, feelings and thoughts. This comfort encourages curiosity, exploration and learning.

ACC embraces play-based child-centered learning with a Constructivist Approach. We follow the teachings of developmental theorists Erik Erikson and Jean Piaget. Erikson explains human emotional development, and the importance of addressing basic emotional issues at different periods of development. Piaget focuses on learning. His theories state that children’s natural mode of learning is play.

Children’s natural mode of learning is play. Through play and active exploration, children develop an understanding of their world. Learning and problem-solving are expanded through social interactions and hands-on manipulation of materials. Everything and everyone is a learning opportunity whether it is blocks or a windy day.

Opening a child’s eyes to learning relies on the ability to recognize and understand a child’s interest. Through continual and thoughtful observation of children’s play, conversations with the children and families, and understanding children’s behavior, teachers are able to develop rich curriculum. This careful observation allows the curriculum to be engaging and challenging.

Activities are open-ended and child-directed in nature. Children are encourage to explore their specific interests. Our curriculum allows children to investigate a concept or materials with their own flare and preferences at an individual pace and developmental level. Because of the open-ended curriculum, children of varying developmental levels can learn and benefit from the same activity. Teachers are expected to develop curriculum in each of the areas of the classroom while being mindful of Vermont Early Learning Standards and developmentally appropriate practice. Curriculum may include a single activity, a set of activities, group project, or an area design offering specific materials.