Little Colonels Academy implements Creative Curriculum, a state and nationally approved curriculum, on a daily basis. This curriculum provides teachers with the instructional guidelines necessary for developing age appropriate learning activities for children aligned with Louisiana’s Early Learning and Developmental Standards (ELDS). The curriculum is used as a guide for learning and development based on children’s age and developmental level, the needs of families and individual children, and cultural awareness through established learning activities. Implementation of the curriculum involves children in ways that use as many senses as possible, immersing the children in the experience. Activities are designed to help children make sense of their world and are based on a well-planned classroom environment with activities and materials that encourage interaction with classmates, materials, and adults. Our curriculum allows for engagement in opened-ended, individualized, and developmentally appropriate activities through relationship-based care with infants and younger toddlers while older toddlers and preschoolers engage in learning stations, whole group, small group, and outdoor activities.

What are developmentally appropriate practices?

The developmentally appropriate framework fosters the “whole child” through acquisition of skills such as large and fine motor, social, emotional, language, cognitive and adaptive. These skills are facilitated through hands-on, meaningful and concrete activities through an eclectic approach, combining developmental experiences from many early childhood models as activities are designed based on each child’s age and ability level. 

How does LCA foster developmentally appropriate practices?

Within our program, children are involved in their own learning to support the development of higher level thinking skills such as critical thinking, concept formation, and creative thinking. Children will be given time to play and explore in the classroom environment and have real-world experiences through field trips, books, and guests.

How will LCA guide and/or discipline my child?

Guidance and discipline is administered in a positive and consistent manner in order to encourage self-regulation, respect for others, and self-confidence. It is our philosophy that we guide children in becoming responsible for themselves and their actions. We allow children to explore their limits within a safe environment as they observe the positive and negative consequences of specific behaviors. As each child is unique, our interventional strategies are adaptable and flexible to meet the needs of each learner. LCA Staff does not resort to any form of physical or corporal punishment (yelling, spanking, yanking, shaking, pinching, etc.), humiliation, threats, intimidation, or withholding of food as forms of corrective discipline. Physical discipline, of any kind, is not tolerated on LCA grounds or during LCA community activities by anyone.

Is my child provided meals?

LCA learners are provided a morning snack, hot lunch, and an afternoon snack. If a child requires a special diet due to health or family preference, parents can request an alternative lunch menu via email. LCA offers the following alternatives: (1) vegetarian diet; (2) vegan diet; or (3) dairy-free diet. 

What if my child requires formula or mother’s milk?

LCA administrators and staff understand diverse feeding needs for infants. Within our center, nursing mothers can choose to provide mother’s milk in appropriate containers, nurse within the infant room, or nurse within our Family Engagement Room – which provides a more quiet, comfortable, and personal experience. 

Do all individuals interacting with my child have background checks?

All employees, volunteers, therapists, observers, and any other visitor interacting with children at the center, with the exception of individuals dropping off and/or picking up children,  are required to complete a background check through the Child Care Civil Background Check System. This system scans the following databases: (1) Louisiana Bueau’s criminal history, (2) FBI, (3) National Sex Offender Registry, (4) Louisiana Sex Offender Registry, (5) Louisiana child Abuse and Neglect Registry, and (6) each state’s criminal/sex offender/abuse and neglect registries in which the individual has resided in the past five years. 

What if my child is sick, becomes ill, or is injured?

Upon arrival at the center, each child will be observed for possible signs of illness, infections, bruises, injuries, physical condition, etc. If a child seems to be ill (unusually pale, irritable, tired, uninterested in usual activities or eating) without obvious symptoms, the child will be monitored by staff members and the director informed.  If your child becomes sick or injured while in our care, staff members are expected to immediately notify the director or operations coordinator who will immediately notify parents. Children may be sent home if the following symptoms occur: (1) vomiting, (2) two or more loose stools, and/or (3) fever over 99.99 degrees. Children must be fever free for a minimum of 24 hours (without medication) to return to the center.