Mission
At Okie Dockie, we strive to teach the essential skills children need to learn to become thoughtful, creative and engaged global citizens. This is achieved through daily encounters with nature, as well as a bilingual (English and Spanish) curriculum that seeks to develop the “whole child”-cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and academic development. Our goal is to raise global citizens who celebrate all aspects of social diversity and the natural world all while learning two languages!
Philosophy
We believe that children learn best in a developmentally appropriate, hands-on, inquiry-based early childhood education program where they feel connected with nature and to each other in a respectful, creative, and diverse environment.
Programs
At Okie Dockie, we are committed to providing a fun, experiential learning environment to develop children's socioemotional competence and be prepared for Kindergarten.
Curriculum
Okie Dockie utilizes a bilingual (English and Spanish) emergent curriculum that focuses on the whole child by using theory and research. Specifically, Okie Dockie takes a balanced approach, complementing the child’s sense of wonder with an environment that fosters an intentional and exciting learning experience that will inspire their own whimsical exploration for the world around them.
At Okie Dockie, we recognize each child’s uniqueness and therefore, we synthesize the best practices from emergent theories and programs like Attachment Theory, Montessori, Waldorf, and Reggio Emilia.
Children have a natural desire to learn. When provided with the proper hands-on tools for discovery and respect for their own innate wonder, they do so efficiently and quickly. Okie Dockie strives to provide this through a warm and caring home environment.
Young Toddlers 12 - 24 months
Toddlerhood is a developmental stage where socioemotional development is at its peak. Therefore, it is essential that children are cared for with love, empathy and understanding. Toddlers will learn through nurturing, responsive and intentional teaching. Our goal is to build an environment where a secure attachment can be developed between child and teacher in conjunction with having open communication between home and school.
Older Toddlers & Preschoolers- 2 to 5 years
Our continued focus with our preschoolers is on the development of emphatic, creative, and cognitive skills. Through offering opportunities for hands-on exploration and discovery that help build lifelong critical thinking skills and foster confidence, children will engage in project-based investigations of topics that are relevant to their everyday experiences. Studies are exciting and engaging. They tap into children’s natural curiosity, resulting in a learning environment that is both fun and intentional.
Nature
Okie Dockie offers rich experiences with nature that helps children make a connection with the natural world through our outdoor classroom. Through our nature-based program, children will learn how to improve the health of the planet and embrace innovative hands-on learning methods by doing “acts of green.” Through this method, Okie Dockie hopes to establish healthy eating habits through a garden-to-table program.
Teacher-Child Ratio
We offer small teacher-child ratio to support the child’s individualized learning and socio-emotional development.
Extra-Curricular Activities
As part of a well-rounded curriculum, Okie Dockie, offers extracurricular activities, such as yoga, wood working, culinary exploration, and gardening as part of the program.
Snacks
We provide an a.m. and p.m. snack. Parents provide their child’s lunch; we will gladly warm it up. We serve healthy snacks that include fresh fruits and vegetables (organic foods whenever possible). Also, we serve other organic dairy products.
