Rowan University at Camden Preschool

Mission Statement

It is the mission of Rowan University at Camden Preschool to provide a high quality early childhood program to preschool age children in the City of Camden.  The preschool provides a learning environment that supports children to develop the strength and skills necessary for children to construct their own knowledge and prepare them for their next school environment.

Our mission is accomplished by:

• Recognizing the diverse needs, ability, interests, and cultures in a setting where each child is valued and respected as a unique individual.
• Belief that a cooperative team of professionals through observation, interaction, and well planned learning activities guides each child’s development.
• Promotion of a curriculum that provides age-appropriate and individually appropriate activities, equipment and materials wherein children have many opportunities to be actively engaged in the learning process.
• Recognizing the importance of working closely with families and acknowledge family involvement as an essential and vital component of the total learning process.
• Promoting the professional development of those who work with young children by sponsoring early childhood training for all Rowan University at Camden Preschool Staff.
• Promoting parental and community awareness of high quality early childhood program practices and services through parent involvement activities.
• Working collaboratively with Camden City Public Schools and related social service agencies to foster the development of our preschool children.

Philosophy

Rowan University at Camden Preschool believes that children learn best by interacting and experimenting with the environment that surrounds them.  We utilize developmentally appropriate practices to provide a safe, supportive and nurturing environment wherein children develop physically, socially, emotionally and cognitively. The program also supports the relationship between children, their families and the preschool staff.

Our preschool program provides an innovative research based curriculum with materials, experiences and teaching methods that are grounded in the National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) principles of child development including age and individual appropriateness.

All learning activities are presented through play. These activities engage the children so they can explore experiment, imitate, ask questions and be questioned to further their thinking and problem solving skills.