Our Approach

Cornerstone allows children time to discover, pretend, dawdle and play. Our program is child-centered and, for the most part, child-driven.

What you’ll see on a visit

The signs of a great program

Frequent, positive, warm interactions between adults and children
Planned activities appropriate to the children’s age and development
Specially trained staff who respond to individual children
Many varied, age-appropriate toys and equipment
A healthy and safe environment
Planned nutritious meals and snacks

Our philosophy

Our program does not place values of good or bad on children’s efforts or the products of those efforts. The goal is to encourage children to try new things, recognize their efforts and facilitate and reward their successes.

We believe self-esteem flows from success working at the business of living. We provide opportunities for children to direct their own activities and through which they can experience success and learn from failure.

We envision teachers as there to explain, encourage, facilitate and provide comfort as children pursue the things that interest them.

How we teach

Learning across every domain

Our curriculum combines the Connecticut Early Learning and Development Standards (CTELDS) with the practices of The Creative Curriculum to develop the whole child.