"Early childhood education should be a delightful adventure, setting the stage for lifelong love of learning."
-Shenea White
" Empowering Children to Shape Their World "
Our Story
In the heart of El-cajon, The Playground Learning Center (TPLC) first opened it's doors in January of 2022 under the direction of Shenea White. Driven by her commitment to creating a preschool that went beyond the traditional model, one that embraced a play-based approach she established her program.
At The Playground Learning Center, we create a warm and inclusive environment where children, parents, and educators collaborate to build a strong sense of community. Join us as we continue to inspire and nurture young minds, setting the stage for endless possibilities and boundless growth.
Our Vision
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Create a supportive space where kids learn important life skills.
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Encourage exploration, creativity, and critical thinking through play.
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Help kids build emotional resilience and social skills.
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Empower children to grow into confident, compassionate, and capable individuals—without focusing on ABCs or 123s.
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Cultivate a love of learning that will last a lifetime.
Child-Centric
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The approach views children as competent, curious, and capable of steering their own learning experiences.
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It respects children's ability to initiate and lead learning processes through exploration and discovery.
The Role of the Teacher
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Teachers are not seen as authority figures who import knowledge but as co-learners and collaborators with the children.
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They observe, listen and document children's work, guiding the learning experience and facilitating the children's exploration.
Environment as 3rd Teacher
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The physical environment is carefully designed to be aesthetically pleasing and intellectually stimulating.
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Classrooms are filled with natural light, and beauty, and are equipped with materials that encourage exploration and learning.
Documentation
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Teachers document children's words, ideas, and artwork. This serves as an important tool for understanding and extending the children's learning process.
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Documentation also allows for communication with parents about their child's experiences and development.
Collaboration
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There is a strong emphasis on social collaboration and working in groups.
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Children are encouraged to dialogue, critique, compare, negotiate, hypothesize, and problem-solve through group work.
Emergent Curriculum
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The curriculum is not pre-determined but emerges based on the children's interest and ongoing experiences.
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Project and themes develop as teachers and children delve deeper into subjects that fascinate and engage the children.
Philosophy
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Approach
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