What makes Giving Tree Early Learning unique?
Giving Tree Early Learning is a Reggio inspired, play-based early education program. We believe that all children have the right to high-quality education beyond the experiences found in the typical child care setting. Our educators and skilled caregivers hold various degrees and are professionals in the field of early childhood education. Each member of our team is well versed in early childhood development to support the health, wellness and development of your child. Our creative play spaces, such as the Light Studio, Art Studio and Outdoor Classroom, allow children to explore and discover the world around them. Our whole body approach to education includes a variety of gross motor experiences that develop body, mind and soul. Families in our program also share in the experiences of the Jewish faith and culture through hands-on experiences such as baking, music, storytelling and dramatic play opportunities.
What scholarships are available for my child?
Giving Tree Early Learning is an On My Way Pre-K provider and accepts CCDF vouchers. To learn more about scholarship opportunities, visit the Financial Aid section.
I would like to be connected with a parent ambassador. Who do I contact?
Our parent ambassador program partners your family with a current family in our program. Learn from others who share similar experiences and make new friends in the process. Please contact Alethia Minzlaff, aminzlaff@hhai.org to be connected to a parent ambassador.
Will my child feel welcome at a Jewish school?
While Giving Tree Early Learning is a faith-based preschool, our play based approach brings both tradition and culture to life. Your child will share in a rich tapestry of traditions, Jewish holiday celebrations and cultural experiences. The Giving Tree Early Learning family is welcoming to all and seeks to create a strong sense of community regardless of faith.
Which holidays do you celebrate at school during the school year?
At Giving Tree Early Learning, we observe the Jewish holidays throughout the course of the school year as well as Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Thanksgiving. We do not celebrate Halloween or Valentine's Day.
Does Giving Tree Early Learning offer a food program?
In 2020 we made the decision to discontinue our formal school lunch program. The decision was made in part to give parents more flexibility to decide the nutritional approach they want their child(ren) to follow. In accordance with our licensing standards and kosher guidelines, food options and requirements have been shared in the School Info tab on our website. To help assist our families with sourcing and providing nutritional food options, we host an annual webinar on childhood nutrition, provide sample menus and food options, and have various blog posts regarding topics of interests regarding snacks and lunches that includes resources, videos and recipes.
Indiana licensing standards requires that snacks must contain two components (fruit/veggie, protein or grain) and lunches should consist of healthy options avoiding items such as cookies, cakes, candies or non-nutritious sweets. All items must be NUT FREE and meals must be kosher dairy or kosher pareve (non-meat). At lunch, we serve milk or a non-dairy alternative as required by the State to support the health and development of your child.
Indiana licensing standards requires that snacks must contain two components (fruit/veggie, protein or grain) and lunches should consist of healthy options avoiding items such as cookies, cakes, candies or non-nutritious sweets. All items must be NUT FREE and meals must be kosher dairy or kosher pareve (non-meat). At lunch, we serve milk or a non-dairy alternative as required by the State to support the health and development of your child.
How does a Reggio Inspired program differ from Traditional Preschool?
Traditional preschool focuses largely on teaching children skills by repetition or through rote memorization. As a Reggio inspired program, we seek to follow the lead of the children as they make discoveries through their play and manipulation of materials. Our staff infuse invitations to play and provocations with early childhood development to create authentic learning opportunities. We recognize that children have the right to construct their own knowledge and view ourselves as facilitators of learning, sharing in the children's joy, wonder and curiosity. Our classroom environments are considered the "third teacher" and focus on natural elements and materials. Attention to aesthetics, intention and accessibility are characteristics of each classroom. We utilize loose parts, a collection of open ended materials, to help each child to express themselves creatively and constructively. We provide access to various mediums of self expression including music, movement and art as well as infusing Conscious Discipline and Responsive Classroom techniques. We firmly believe that children must be allowed to explore, create and innovate in order to maximize their potential, become confident learners and critical thinkers.
What can I expect in regards to communication about my child's day?
Our Seedling, Sapling, Olive, and Almond students will receive daily reports with information on toileting, eating and sleeping habits. Since we are dedicated to to being hands on and engaged with our students throughout the day, we ask that you check your child's classroom blogs for information on their learning process as we will update it regularly. There you will find pictures and information on the unit of study, experiences your child engaged in and the Early Learning Foundations standards that outline your child's development. More importantly, we encourage you to connect with your child's teacher to learn more about the unique experiences and moments of growth your child has had throughout the day. We strive to provide individualized points of connection to meet the needs of each family.
What do the classroom names (Seedling, Sapling, Olive, Almond, Cedar, and Oak) mean?
We wanted to pick classroom names that fit the Giving Tree theme while also incorporating trees that have significance to the Jewish faith and Israel. We chose Seedling and Saplings for our youngest learners because they are the beginnings of trees. Olive trees, one of the Seven Species of Israel, and Almond trees, a cultural element that signifies the beginning of Spring, were chosen for our two year old classroom and our transitional classroom. Finally, we chose the Cedar tree and the Oak tree for our preschool and pre-k classrooms because these are our older children who are growing up to be strong learners.
What are the COVID 19 Safety Protocols?
At Giving Tree Early Learning, we make the health and safety of our students, staff and families a priority. We maintain classroom pods or "families" in which the students and staff interact within their own peer group throughout the day. Following new guidance from the Indiana State Department of Health and the Marion County Health Department, masks are optional but strongly recommended for children and are not recommended for those 2 years old or younger. Classroom toys are rotated frequently and cleaned and sanitized throughout the school day. For more specific information, please read through the updated COVID 19 Policy. We are in regular contact with the Marion County Health Department and our COVID 19 committee of doctors to stay up-to-date on COVID 19 safety. For additional questions, please contact Toni Scott at Tscott@hhai.org.
