Our Learning Approach

Our vision is to nurture and assist every child to develop their unique abilities and discover their future unlimited potential. At The Ivy, your child can develop into a strong, confident, happy, and healthy individual – in both mind and body.

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OUR LEARNING APPROACH

Our evidence-based curriculum is supported by a team of dedicated educators who create a nurturing and inspiring environment

At The Ivy, we follow the Massachusetts Early Learning Standards, one of the most respected educational frameworks in the world. We blend these with Reggio-inspired practices that ignite creativity, curiosity, and joy.

We nurture the whole child, building strong foundations in:

Literacy and Language Development
Early Numeracy and Problem-Solving
Critical Thinking and Inquiry
Social-Emotional Development
Independence and Executive Function
Collaboration and Communication
Fine and Gross Motor Skills
Environmental Awareness and Responsibility
STEM
Arts including Fine Arts, Dance, Dramatic Play, Music
Physical Education, Movement, Wellness and Sport

In addition to our core curriculum, children benefit from enriching supplemental experiences, including:

Languages: Arabic, French
Movement and Mindfulness
Nature and Wellness: Horticulture, sensory play, and wellness routines
Sports and Physical Development

We blend structure and discovery to empower children to ask questions, make connections, and grow into confident, capable learners. They leave The Ivy ready to thrive in any school system, anywhere in the world.

Our educators are more than teachers. They are collaborators, mentors, and champions of each child’s heart, mind, and potential.

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OUR LEARNING APPROACH

The Ivy Approach

We provide a rich, stimulating environment where children explore their interests, encouraging autonomy and fostering a lifelong love of learning. We ensure the rapid development of students by combining this with Massachusetts State Early Learning Standards, the strongest standards in the USA, and recognized worldwide.
Through group projects and social interaction, children develop essential communication and teamwork skills.
Our thoughtfully designed spaces inspire creativity and curiosity, allowing children to learn through discovery and hands-on experiences.
The Ivy's "Three C's" framework guides every aspect of our teaching and learning.

Confidence: We empower children to take charge of their learning, encouraging them to explore, make choices, and express their ideas.

Compassion: By fostering a sense of empathy and community, children learn to respect others and collaborate effectively, laying the groundwork for strong social and emotional development.

Curiosity: We cultivate a natural sense of wonder, providing opportunities for inquiry-based learning that inspires children to ask questions and engage deeply with the world around them.
Our approach nurtures the whole child—emotionally, socially, physically, and academically—offering mindfulness activities, balanced nutrition, and opportunities for outdoor exploration.
At The Ivy, we integrate digital literacy, problem-solving, and adaptability in age-appropriate ways, ensuring children are equipped for tomorrow's world.

AGE GROUPS

Our Approach to Different Age Groups.

Lower Preschool ( 18 mos - 3 years )

During this stage, children begin to assert their independence, explore their environment more confidently, and engage in early social experiences. They are rapidly developing language, motor skills, and a sense of self, making this a vital time for nurturing routines and supportive relationships.

At The Ivy, our Lower Preschool routines are intentionally structured to balance consistency with freedom of movement and choice. Children participate in daily rhythms that include sensory play, music and movement, mealtimes, outdoor exploration, and moments of quiet reflection or rest. These predictable patterns help toddlers feel safe and capable while developing essential skills.

Our educators offer respectful guidance, encouraging early self-help skills such as feeding, dressing, and toilet learning based on each child’s readiness. Through parallel and emerging cooperative play, children begin to understand shared space, emotions, and early social problem-solving. Language-rich environments, art materials, and loose parts play foster expression and discovery, laying the foundation for confident, capable learners.

7:30 AM - 8:15 AM

Children and parents welcomed, breakfast is served

8:30 AM - 9:00 AM

Free Play: Children are welcomed into a safe, engaging environment where they can choose activities that interest them, fostering independence and decision-making skills.

Morning Meeting: Short, interactive sessions with songs, stories, and discussions to build language skills and a sense of community.

9:15 AM- 11:30 AM

Core learning, free movement, sensory experiences in the sciences, exploration of STEM, literacy and numeracy experiences.

11:30 AM

Lunch
12:00 PM - 2:00 PM

Sleep/Rest: A consistent rest period to support physical growth and emotional regulation.

2:00 PM - 3:00 PM

Child interest led indoor/outdoor experiences, enrichment subjects, music, dance, yoga, sport, second languages (Arabic, French)

3:00 PM -3:30 PM

Afternoon tea

3:30 PM - 6.30 PM

Pick up or Afterschool enrichment activities
In our studios catering to two to three year old children, we support the following core

concepts:

Rest and Sleep Times
At The Ivy, we establish calm rest and sleep routines for our two- to three-year-olds, respecting each child's individual needs. For children who do not require sleep, we provide structured, quiet activities that promote early literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, and language exposure, including Arabic, ensuring they remain engaged in a relaxed, yet purposeful environment.

Mealtimes
We view children as capable and confident during mealtime, fostering independence and self-awareness. Educators guide structured conversations in both English and Arabic, enhancing language skills and social development, while teaching children to listen to their bodies and make healthy choices.

Independent Toileting
Our educators approach toileting with patience, respect, and trust, creating a positive, structured experience that fosters independence. We support each child's journey with care, ensuring their dignity and guiding them toward self-reliance and responsibility.

Creative Experiences
Children are provided with a carefully curated selection of materials, colors, and surfaces, encouraging them to explore and express their understanding of the world. These structured creative activities are designed to support early literacy (as children describe their creations in both English and Arabic), numeracy (through recognizing patterns and shapes), and problem-solving skills.

Core Learning Activities
Our two- to three-year-olds engage in a range of structured core learning activities throughout the day. These experiences are designed to introduce early academic concepts in literacy, numeracy, problem-solving, and language exposure, including Arabic. Educators guide children through these foundational experiences, ensuring they build essential skills while nurturing curiosity, critical thinking, and collaboration.

Upper Preschool (3-4 yrs) & KG (5-6 yrs)

Children in this age group are eager to connect, express themselves, and understand how the world works. As their attention span, language, and sense of identity grow, they thrive in environments that offer both structure and space for exploration.

At The Ivy, our daily routines are thoughtfully designed to encourage independence, collaboration, and critical thinking. Children participate in morning meetings, project-based explorations, fine motor activities, language and numeracy experiences, and outdoor learning. Our day flows with intention, balancing focused learning blocks with free play, movement, creative arts, and rest.

Educators act as co-learners and facilitators, encouraging questions, extending thinking, and supporting social-emotional growth through reflective conversations and peer interactions. Children are guided through increasingly complex group routines and responsibilities, helping them build the executive function, resilience, and social awareness needed for a smooth transition to formal schooling.

7:30 AM - 8:30 AM

Children and parents are welcome, breakfast is served

8:45 AM - 9.30 AM

Indoor/outdoor experiences, planning for a purposeful day together

9:35 AM - 11:30 AM

Morning meeting, story time, group conversations.

Core Learning: Literacy and numeracy, creative arts, science and natural world, technology, small and large group experiences, physical literacy program, community and culture, problem solving and projects,

11:30 AM - 12:30 AM

Progressive lunch
12:30 PM - 2:00 PM

Sleep/rest/relaxation

2:00 PM -3:00 PM

Afternoon tea

Core: Literacy, STEM, Numeracy, Arts, Physical Education/Movement, Sport etc.

3:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Planning and resetting for tomorrow, daily reflection time, projects, parent pick up

4:00 PM - 6:30 PM

Afterschool enrichment programs (The sciences, the arts, the humanities) late snack provided
In our Upper Preschool and KG classes, we maintain a calm, yet structured approach to the day, incorporating key elements such as:

Morning Meetings
Our morning meetings serve as an essential starting point for the day. Children are encouraged to share their ideas and intentions, helping them plan and structure their activities. They might discuss their plans with an educator or create a visual representation through drawing. This structured approach fosters early literacy and communication skills, setting the tone for a day of intentional learning.

Mealtimes
We support self-regulation and independence through progressive mealtimes. Children sit in small groups to enjoy self-served meals or snacks, using real crockery and utensils to connect with real-world experiences. Educators join children at the table, facilitating language development and social learning in a supportive environment.

Rest Times
Rest time offers children the chance to develop autonomy as they are guided by educators to rest or sleep independently. For those who do not require sleep, we provide quiet learning activities that promote early literacy, numeracy, and language skills, ensuring they are refreshed and ready for the afternoon.

Small Group Activities
Throughout the day, children participate in small group activities that include music, dance, storytelling, physical play, games with rules, and reflections on their learning experiences. These activities are designed to support the development of fine and gross motor skills, problem-solving, and early academic concepts.

Creative Experiences
We invite children to explore a variety of materials, colors, and mediums, encouraging them to express their thoughts and understanding of the world around them. These creative experiences support early literacy, numeracy, and problem-solving skills, allowing children to represent their ideas in multiple ways.

Core Learning Times
Instead of uninterrupted play, we provide structured blocks of time dedicated to core learning experiences. During these times, children are guided through activities that introduce foundational academic concepts in literacy, numeracy, science, and language (including exposure to Arabic). Educators support children as they explore our thoughtfully arranged spaces, facilitating opportunities for collaboration, inquiry, and discovery.

Birth to 18 months

Infants and young toddlers are natural explorers, soaking in the sights, sounds, and sensations of their world. In these earliest years, every smile, sound, and interaction builds the foundation for lifelong learning.

At The Ivy, we create a nurturing, responsive environment where each child feels secure, seen, and supported. Our routines are thoughtfully designed to align with each child’s individual rhythms, respecting their sleep, feeding, and play needs while encouraging sensory exploration, mobility, and social-emotional connection.

Educators provide consistent, warm interactions that build trust and support healthy attachment. Through observation, gentle guidance, and ongoing family communication, we tailor experiences to each child's developmental stage and interests. Whether through tummy time, language-rich storytelling, or quiet moments of bonding, every interaction is purposeful, supporting holistic growth in cognitive, physical, emotional, and social domains.

7:30 AM - 8:00 AM

Arrival & Family Check-In: Parents share updates on feeding, sleep, and mood. Educators warmly welcome each infant and begin the day with comforting one-on-one attention.

8:15 AM-9:00 AM

Unhurried, supervised play on soft mats or open shelves with simple, natural toys. Tummy time, reaching, rolling, and crawling are encouraged based on developmental stage.

Outdoor experiences

9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Individualized feeding according to each baby’s needs and family preferences

Individualized care routines according to each baby’s needs and family preferences

Sensory & Social experiences

Exposure to core learning experiences

11:30 - As Needed

Lunch and feeding according to baby and toddler needs and family preferences

11:30 AM - As Needed

Naps & Rest Time: Infants follow their own sleep cues and rhythms
Afternoon - onwards

Free movement, sensory experiences in the sciences, exploration of the natural world, music, literacy, and numeracy experiences, outdoor physical and sensory activities

Departure & Family Communication

Families are updated on feeding, naps, mood, and key moments. Consistent communication builds trust and ensures continuity of care at home.
In our studios, designed for children from birth to two years, we embrace they key concepts that honor each child’s curiosity, creativity, and potential:

Free Movement
Guided by the belief that children are capable explorers, our environment encourages natural movement, inspired by Emmi Pikler’s philosophy. The Ivy’s space, acting as the ‘third teacher,’ offers opportunities for infants to develop their physical skills while discovering early spatial awareness and numeracy concepts through play.

Child-Led Weaning
We practice a child-led approach to mealtimes, allowing infants to explore healthy foods at their own pace, fostering independence. Educators engage in dialogue during these moments, introducing language and literacy in a natural, relationship-building context.

Individualized Care Moments
We view routine care as moments of learning and connection. Educators respectfully involve infants as active participants, using these interactions to nurture language skills and encourage self-expression.

Exploratory Times
Children are provided with uninterrupted time to explore both indoor and outdoor spaces. Our environment, rich with sensory materials, invites curiosity and early engagement with numeracy and literacy, while educators observe and support each child’s discoveries.

This Reggio approach ensures that infants’ growth in numeracy, literacy, and holistic development is nurtured through meaningful, child-centered experiences.

Creativity/innovation

Critical thinking

Problem solving

Decision making

Communication

Collaboration

Health & Wellness

Research and inquiry

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OUR SKILLS & EXPERTISE

Our skill sets guide the way we plan for teaching and learning. As educators, we are committed to lifelong learning about children and childhood, continually enhancing our professional and pedagogical methods and practices.

SEL

Digital citizenship

Compassion

Empathy

Resilience

Perseverance

Respect

Kindness

Holistic Development & Health

At The Ivy, we nurture the whole child—academically, emotionally, and socially—using research-based practices to support balanced growth and well-being.

Our approach includes:

Physical Activity & Nutrition: Daily physical activities and balanced meals to promote healthy development.
Emotional & Social Growth: Social-emotional learning and mindfulness practices to build resilience and strong relationships.
Creative & Cognitive Development: Play-based learning that encourages curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking.

Our educators are dedicated to nurturing both the heart and mind, ensuring each child reaches their full potential.

Nutrition

We understand the vital role that healthy foods and drinks play in your child's growth and well-being. That’s why we are committed to providing balanced, nutritious meals every day with our chef. We also wholeheartedly support breastfeeding mothers and invite you to visit your child’s studio to feed whenever you wish. Learn more about our approach to nutrition here.

Parent Communication

At The Ivy, maintaining open communication with parents and families is a top priority. We are always eager to understand your child's needs better and appreciate any feedback you may have about our center. We encourage face-to-face interactions and formal progress meetings once per quarter. We also and provide digital channels for your convenience. Learn more about our parent communication methods.