Family Centers believes that children learn best when they are considered an integral part of the learning process.  Our centers' positive, stimulating learning environments enable children to explore and learn through active engagement.

At the Joan Melber Warburg Early Childhood Center, we use the Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos.  Teachers conduct monthly individual observations and assessments on each child.  These tools allow teachers to use the children's interest and needs as the main framework for their lesson planning.  Our Continuity of Care philosophy helps build secure relationships between our caregivers and children.  We create a safe, predictable environment by maintaining daily caregiving routines.  This enables our teaching staff to learn each child's individual cues and provide quick responsive care.  Classroom arrangement and materials are continuously adapted to meet the changing developmental needs of the children in the class.  Our teachers have an in-depth understanding of infant/toddler development and a passion for teaching this age group, which provides them the ability to create developmentally appropriate learning experiences.

Family Centers' preschools utilize the Creative Curriculum in conjunction with the State of Connecticut Preschool Assessment Framework.  In doing so, we are able to plan developmentally appropriate, student-driven lessons for the class as a whole based on each child's individual strengths and goals.  Family Centers preschools' lesson plans are designed to allow for formal and informal observations of each student using the Preschool Assessment Framework.  Our conference assessment forms are also used by the Greenwich Public Schools to gain insight about district students entering Kindergarten.