Philosophy & Curriculum

At Every Child Oaks (ECO), we believe that when families are partnered with a high-quality early childhood program, children thrive. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy and rooted in evidence-based practices, our approach is designed to nurture capable, curious, and socially connected learners prepared to succeed in a dynamic world.

We view children as intelligent, independent, and naturally inclined toward creativity and exploration. Our daily work promotes these qualities through a balance of adult-guided and child-led learning experiences, carefully embedded in meaningful routines both indoors and out in nature.

📚 Our Curriculum

Our curriculum blends the best of developmental and inclusive practices. It is informed by:

• Reggio Emilia Philosophy – A child-centered, project-based approach that honors children’s interests and creativity.

• Group-Based Early Start Denver Model (G-ESDM) – A group adaptation of a developmental and naturalistic curriculum designed for young children, especially those needing additional communication and social support.
   

Together, these frameworks support all learners in building foundational skills across communication, cognition, social-emotional growth, play, self-care, and physical development.

✨ Learning Through Provocations

A hallmark of our Reggio-inspired approach is the use of provocations—intentional experiences designed to spark children’s curiosity. For example, a week of learning through cabbage might look like this:

• Monday – Garden Atelier: Harvest and explore the cabbage’s physical properties.

• Tuesday – Light Atelier: Examine cabbage leaves with magnifiers and light tables.

• Wednesday – Taste Atelier: Cook and taste cabbage, observe changes in color and flavor.

• Thursday – Paint Atelier: Use cabbage-dyed water to explore natural pigments in art.

• Friday – Digital Story Atelier: Reflect on the week’s experiences through storytelling and photography.
   

This multi-sensory, project-based approach honors the “100 languages of children,” allowing them to express and deepen their understanding in diverse ways.

🏡 The Learning Environment

We view the environment as the “third teacher.” Our spaces are intentionally designed to promote discovery, collaboration, and care:

• Indoor & Outdoor Spaces – Nature-rich, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environments that foster connection and responsibility.

• Relational Spaces – Staff trained to support social-emotional growth through positive interactions and guided participation.

• Temporal Organization – Consistent, thoughtfully structured routines that scaffold learning and promote independence.
   

🤝 Community for Every Child

Including every child is not just a practice at ECO—it’s a mindset. We are committed to creating a community where every child, regardless of ability or background, is welcomed, supported, and celebrated.

Our team is trained in G-ESDM and other evidence-based strategies, ensuring that children with diverse learning needs receive responsive, personalized support within a communal setting.

At ECO, we value:

• Partnership with Families – Families are co-constructors of the learning journey.

• Professional Collaboration – Our staff engages in continuous reflection and research to stay at the forefront of inclusive early education.

• Shared Responsibility – Everyone—children, teachers, families, and the broader community—plays a role in shaping a nurturing, equitable environment.

🌱 A School of Belonging

We believe that inclusion means more than just being present—it means being seen, supported, and empowered. Every child at ECO is recognized for their unique strengths, and we are ethically committed to ensuring each learner’s growth and sense of belonging.