Our Typical Day

On a typical day, our Little Hands Learning Center schedule looks like this:

8:45am   Doors open, parents sign in, students do morning question and morning work
                 Then students play until circle time

9:15am    Circle Time  (prayer, Pledge of Allegiance, calendar, memory verse, story, etc.)

9:45am    Centers:   2-3 students with me working on academic goals,
                                    2-3 students in craft/sensory center,
                                    2-3 students in individualized "academic" center
                                    2-3 students at Ms. Jenn's table, doing more involved crafts, reviewing,
                                    playing educational games, etc.

10:45am  Snack & Play Time (sometimes free play, sometimes structured play)

11:15am  Group Activity (either science or social studies related, or related to our current theme)

11:35am  Clean up & Pack Up

11:40am  Closing Circle (pray, review)

11:45am  Pick Up Time

Little Hands Learning Center 2017-2018 Availability

I currently have 1 full time spot (Monday-Thursday) available for the 2017-2018 school year!  (as of 5/9/17)

Curriculum

The bottom line of my curriculum is that I use what works for each child, according to the level they are at in any given moment.  I do use some formal curriculum (see below), but I use a lot of play, books, and regular conversations and interactions as well.  Every activity we engage in at school has a purpose, even when it looks like "just play."  I want you to know that I am constantly planning and assessing, because your child is constantly  learning and growing!!

Here is an overview of our formal curriculum:

*Reading: All About Reading

http://www.allaboutlearningpress.com/all-about-reading/

*Math: Math-U-See/Get Set for School

Taken from the Math-U-See website:

A gentle introduction to mathematics.

In the Primer level your child will learn not only how to write numerals but also addition and subtraction, basic counting, skip counting, geometric shapes, telling time, and they will be introduced to the manipulative block system. It’s a gentle introduction to "doing math."

Major Concepts and Skills Include:

• Counting objects and developing numeracy
• Understanding place value
• Recognizing number names and symbols
• Reading and writing numerals
• Understanding addition and subtraction with concrete and representational models
• Understanding and writing the symbols +, – and =
• Addition and subtraction of select numbers

Additional concepts and skills:

• Telling and writing time by hours and minutes
• Recognizing & drawing rectangles, squares, and circles
• Measuring length by repeating units
• Introducing halves and fourths
• Counting by 2s, 5s, 10s, and 100s
• Reading, writing & interpreting word problems

*If a student is ready, we will move to the next level, which is called "Alpha."  

The award-winning Get Set for School® Pre-K curriculum uses lively music and playful activities to teach number concepts, geometry, sequencing, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and concepts about print.

I also use various other math programs, games, etc., depending on what each child needs to work on.

*Writing: Handwriting Without Tears
By playing, singing, and building letters, students develop the important skills they need to print words, sentences, and paragraphs. They will learn grip, letter and number recognition, and capital and number formation.
The award-winning Get Set for School® Pre-K curriculum uses lively music and playful activities to teach number concepts, geometry, sequencing, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and concepts about print.

About Me

My name is Karen McGuigan.  I have a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education from ASU, and I am a certified teacher.  I am CPR and first aid certified, I hold a valid fingerprint clearance card, and I have been certified by the AZ Department of Health and Childcare Services.  I chose to teach preschool because I LOVE the wonder and excitement children this age have about learning.  I am passionate about creating an environment that combines a lot of academic challenge with a lot of fun!  I decided to teach from home so that I can keep my class size small (I only take 10 students!) and so that I can teach my class without worrying about what administrators or politicians think I should be teaching.  If we are having a great time learning about dinosaurs, we can keep right on going!  If we have become bored with dinosaurs, we can move on!  I individualize most parts of our day, so each child is being met right at their level and then encouraged to go further.  I also teach from home so that I am able to teach Bible stories, scripture verses, and age-appropriate lessons about things like Christmas and Easter.  Though spiritual growth is not the main focus of Little Hands Learning Center, it is a part of our everyday classroom activities.
This year, I am excited to announce that I have a new teaching assistant!!  Her name is Jenn, she is incredible with kids, has years of experience working with young children, and is loving and genuine!  She is married, with three children of her own, ages 11, 6, and 4.  I have had the privilege of teaching two of her three children, and I am so excited to have her join us in the classroom!
I have been married for almost 18 years, and I have three amazing kids of my own.  My daughter is thirteen, my older son is ten, and my youngest son is seven.  Little Hands Learning Center has been an incredible blessing in our lives, as we have all come to love my students and their families.

Classes

Pre-K
*Must be 4 years old by November 1st, and potty trained by the first day of school.
*Meets Monday - Thursday, from 8:45-11:45

Tuition: $250 per month
Annual Supply Fee: $100 (Due upon enrollment to hold your child's spot)


Preschool
*Must be 3 years old by September 1st, and potty trained by the first day of school.
*Meets Tuesday and Thursday, from 8:45-11:45

Tuition: $165 per month
Annual Supply Fee: $100 (Due upon enrollment to hold your child's spot)

Mission Statement

Little Hands Learning Center

Mission Statement

My goal is to provide high quality education to preschool age children using research-based curriculum and teaching methods. I hope to inspire children to learn by providing a warm, nurturing environment where children are excited to explore their surroundings and interact with me and with each other.  I believe that children learn best when they feel comfortable and when they have a connection with their teacher and classmates, and I will work hard to create and maintain relationships with each of my students.  I will weave God’s word into the day through music, Bible stories, prayer, and classroom dialogue. I plan to help each child grow cognitively, emotionally, physically, and spiritually by providing developmentally appropriate activities and materials. I will keep class sizes small, so that I can reach each child individually at his or her own level and help them to achieve goals at their own pace. By balancing diligent planning with flexibility, I will keep learning exciting, providing engaging lessons that are both teacher-directed and child-centered.  I hope to foster a lifetime love for learning in my students that they can take with them into their elementary years and beyond.