Our Programs
Infant
(6 weeks to ~15 months)
A warm, loving and safe environment for our littlest learners to develop trust and relationships. Activities are individually designed to promote social, emotional, cognitive, language and physical development. Sleep and feeding schedules are customized to meet each child's needs.
Pre Toddler
(15 months~2 years)
A transitional space for children who are starting to explore the world by walking, talking and interacting with other children and adults to a greater extent. Teachers design activities that match each child's developmental level, and foster the child's emerging personality.
Toddler
(2–3 years) Emphasis is placed on the individual child's unique needs as their personalities and social skills blossom. A more formalized curriculum ties in to experiential learning. Activities such as mini-field trips let children play, explore and learn about their community while focusing on language development and thinking skills.
Preschool
(3-6 years) Preparation for school and its new social, emotional and intellectual challenges is our focus. Frequent field trips and an academic curriculum provide ample opportunity for exploration and interaction with peers, adults and nature. We incorporate the skills kindergarten teachers expect of a child coming into their class.
Secret to Success:
Our Teachers
BDN teachers are exceptional people who are passionate about teaching. Every teacher is certified in Early Childhood Education (ECE), and many have a Master's Degree in ECE. BDN teachers are experts "scaffolded play", building upon children's natural play and adding learning opportunities throughout the day (example: when children "make coffee" on the playground, teachers will ask "are you selling the coffee? How much does the coffee cost?") Teachers receive ongoing training in topics like:
Curriculum Creativity • Developmental Assessments • Child Engagement • Communication • Educational Play• Cultural Competency
Parent/Teacher Conferences
Parents and teachers meet every 6 months to discuss a child's advancement and create a development plan. Before a child transitions into the next program (ie: from the intant to pre-toddler), parents will meet with the lead teachers of both programs to provide a seamless transfer.
Daily Reports for Parents
Teachers are excited to share highs and lows, stories, and discoveries of a child's day. Arriving at least 15 minutes before closing allows parents to connect with teachers, and provides continuity between home and school.
Storybook Journey Curriculum
Designed by former BDN teacher Sue McCord, we use The Storybook Journey (TSJ) curriculum. Every week we focus on a book, and its themes inspire our field trips, art, and play. TSJ is an experience-oriented, immersion program that provides a foundation for emergent literacy.
Preparing Children and Families for Kindergarten
Childhood is all about trainsitions - kids need time to process change. We've developed a family and child-centered program to address the strong emotions children experience as they prepare for kindergarten. BDN kids learn how to share their feelings, listen to the feelings of others, and support one another during the transition. They leave the program with exceptional communication skills, and are bonded and well adjusted. The results are so remarkable that Harvard University is studying it.
7 months of meetings to prepare children for Kindergarten
1 Preschool Program Lead Teacher
1 Child Psychologist • Parental Involvement
Issues that comeup in Kindergarten Prep
Express fears around school violence from watching the news
Voice anxiety about a new school
Practice orientation in new classrooms
Role play how to interact with new teachers and classmates
"The teachers make it seem so simple and so effortless to encourage the kids’ excitement and learn how to become kind, independent bigger kids. We are eminently grateful!"
