The Pathways Approach
Apply Now!Play and Relationships
At Pathways we recognizes that play and relationships form the essential building blocks of a child’s well-rounded development. We emphasize the pivotal role of the primary caregiver in a child’s life and encourage caregivers to engage with children in an open-ended manner that promotes authentic communication and collaboration. Caregivers undergo specialized training to effectively meet the unique needs of each child, utilizing body language, touch, and intentional language to establish a safe and supportive atmosphere. Through play, children are empowered to experiment, explore, and take calculated risks, while caregivers offer guidance and support. This interactive play fosters a deep and secure attachment between the caregiver and child, which is vital for healthy growth. Pathways values the significance of relationships and play in children’s development, and our program is thoughtfully designed to create a nurturing environment where children can thrive, learn, and acquire the skills necessary to navigate the world around them.
The Journey
Pathways is dedicated to recognizing and embracing the unique growth and exploration of each child. Understanding that young children thrive through hands-on, experiential learning, Pathways’ program is thoughtfully designed to facilitate such experiences, allowing children to actively engage with materials and move their bodies according to their individual needs. Caregivers remain attentive and responsive to each child, providing essential support, guidance, and connections to help them comprehend and navigate their surroundings. Pathways places great importance on the developmental journey of each child, fostering their investment in personal growth and fostering connections with their community and environment. They embrace the unpredictable and messy nature of this journey, recognizing its inherent value in helping children map and understand their world and shape their identity.
Space and Environment
Pathways offers a program that prioritizes intentional spaces, promoting self-regulation, exploration, and creativity. The responsive approach ensures that children’s needs are met not only by caregivers but also through the environment itself. Play spaces are carefully designed, featuring elements like hammocks, small enclosures, and large open areas to facilitate swinging, privacy, and big body movement. During open playtime, children are encouraged to freely explore and engage with their surroundings, following their interests and impulses. This process helps them learn to listen to and meet their internal bodily needs, developing essential self-regulation skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. Pathways follows the Theory of Loose Parts, providing a wide array of natural and creative materials, such as sticks, rocks, sand, water, Legos, wooden blocks, and kitchen utensils, to encourage endless possibilities for imaginative engagement. We firmly believe that the environment itself is a teacher, and our responsive approach to classroom design and loose parts provision creates an environment that nurtures exploration, creativity, and self-regulation.
F.A.Q.
What is the daily routine/schedule?
8:15am – 9:00am Arrival – we begin our day on the playground (school year session, arrival is 8:00am – 9:00am)
9:00am Community Sing – Children and adults gather in the gym to sing together. Parents are welcome! Afterwards children and teachers go to their classroom.
9:10am – 10:45am Morning Snack, Free Choice Play, Small Group experience, Large Group experience
10:45 – 12:00pm Outside Play
12:00pm – 12:45pm Lunch
12:45pm – 2:30pm Rest Time – all children have an opportunity to lay down, rest and engage in a quiet activity for at least 15 minutes. Children who nap will be provided a cot, soothing music and a darkened space. A teacher will offer them as much or as little support as they need to sleep. The music is turned off and the shades are opened at 2:30pm.
2:45pm End of the day large group experience
3:15-3:25 Departure (school year session, departure is 3:00-3:15pm)
What are the class size & ages?
Robin Room: 8-9 children age 2 years 9 months – 5 years old with 1 teacher.
Gull Room: 14-15 children age 2 years 6 months – 5 years old with 2 teachers.
Pathways has a resource teacher that supports both classrooms with transitions, planning time, rest time and breaks.
Are meals provided?
Children bring their own food in a lunch box, which should include two snacks and a meal. The morning and afternoon snacks are open, allowing children to enjoy them at any time during the day. Lunchtime is a designated period when teachers and children come together to share a meal. This time provides an opportunity for social interaction and fostering a sense of community within the classroom.
What are the schedule options?
5 days per week, Monday – Friday
4 days per week, Monday – Thursday
3 days per week, Wednesday – Friday
2 days per week, Monday & Tuesday or Wednesday & Thursday
Does my child need to be potty trained?
At Pathways, we understand that potty training is a developmental milestone, and your child does not need to be potty trained to attend our program. If your child wears a diaper, our staff will ensure they are changed in the bathroom every couple of hours. We are committed to supporting your child in their bathroom routine even before they are ready to stop wearing diapers.
We encourage your child to actively participate in the changing process, including taking their pants on and off, fetching the changing pad if needed, sitting on the potty, and washing their hands. By involving them in these steps, we aim to foster their independence and readiness for potty training.
As your child progresses and shows signs of readiness for potty training, we will engage in a discussion with you to determine the best way to proceed. While there are numerous potty training programs and ideas available online, we recommend consulting with your child’s teacher first to tailor an approach that suits your child’s unique needs and abilities.
703 Rose St.
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 943-2554
brittni@pathwayspreschool.com
dan@pathwayspreschool.com
elizabeth@pathwayspreschool.com
The Pathways Approach
Apply Now
Play and Relationships
At Pathways we recognizes that play and relationships form the essential building blocks of a child’s well-rounded development. We emphasize the pivotal role of the primary caregiver in a child’s life and encourage caregivers to engage with children in an open-ended manner that promotes authentic communication and collaboration. Caregivers undergo specialized training to effectively meet the unique needs of each child, utilizing body language, touch, and intentional language to establish a safe and supportive atmosphere. Through play, children are empowered to experiment, explore, and take calculated risks, while caregivers offer guidance and support. This interactive play fosters a deep and secure attachment between the caregiver and child, which is vital for healthy growth. Pathways values the significance of relationships and play in children’s development, and our program is thoughtfully designed to create a nurturing environment where children can thrive, learn, and acquire the skills necessary to navigate the world around them.
The Journey
Pathways is dedicated to recognizing and embracing the unique growth and exploration of each child. Understanding that young children thrive through hands-on, experiential learning, Pathways’ program is thoughtfully designed to facilitate such experiences, allowing children to actively engage with materials and move their bodies according to their individual needs. Caregivers remain attentive and responsive to each child, providing essential support, guidance, and connections to help them comprehend and navigate their surroundings. Pathways places great importance on the developmental journey of each child, fostering their investment in personal growth and fostering connections with their community and environment. They embrace the unpredictable and messy nature of this journey, recognizing its inherent value in helping children map and understand their world and shape their identity.
Space and Environment
Pathways offers a program that prioritizes intentional spaces, promoting self-regulation, exploration, and creativity. The responsive approach ensures that children’s needs are met not only by caregivers but also through the environment itself. Play spaces are carefully designed, featuring elements like hammocks, small enclosures, and large open areas to facilitate swinging, privacy, and big body movement. During open playtime, children are encouraged to freely explore and engage with their surroundings, following their interests and impulses. This process helps them learn to listen to and meet their internal bodily needs, developing essential self-regulation skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. Pathways follows the Theory of Loose Parts, providing a wide array of natural and creative materials, such as sticks, rocks, sand, water, Legos, wooden blocks, and kitchen utensils, to encourage endless possibilities for imaginative engagement. They firmly believe that the environment itself is a teacher, and their responsive approach to classroom design and loose parts provision creates an environment that nurtures exploration, creativity, and self-regulation.
F.A.Q.
What is the daily routine/schedule?
8:15am – 9:00am Arrival – we begin our day on the playground (school year session, arrival is 8:00am – 9:00am)
9:00am Community Sing – Children and adults gather in the gym to sing together. Parents are welcome! Afterwards children and teachers go to their classroom.
9:10am – 10:45am Morning Snack, Free Choice Play, Small Group experience, Large Group experience
10:45 – 12:00pm Outside Play
12:00pm – 12:45pm Lunch
12:45pm – 2:30pm Rest Time – all children have an opportunity to lay down, rest and engage in a quiet activity for at least 15 minutes. Children who nap will be provided a cot, soothing music and a darkened space. A teacher will offer them as much or as little support as they need to sleep. The music is turned off and the shades are opened at 2:30pm.
2:45pm End of the day large group experience
3:15-3:25 Departure (school year session, departure is 3:00-3:15pm)
What are the class size & ages?
Robin Room: 8-9 children age 2 years 9 months – 5 years old with 1 teacher.
Gull Room: 14-15 children age 2 years 6 months – 5 years old with 2 teachers.
Pathways has a resource teacher that supports both classrooms with transitions, planning time, rest time and breaks.
Are meals provided?
Children bring their own food in a lunch box that includes two snacks and a meal. Morning and afternoon snack are open and may be eaten at anytime. Lunch is a designated time that teachers share with the children. Classrooms regularly engage in cooking experiences together.
What are the schedule options?
5 days per week, Monday – Friday
4 days per week, Monday – Thursday
3 days per week, Wednesday – Friday
2 days per week, Monday & Tuesday or Wednesday & Thursday
Does my child need to be potty trained?
Your child does not have to be potty trained to attend Pathways. If your child wears a diaper they will be changed in the bathroom every couple of hours. There’s a lot we can do to support your child in the bathroom before they stop wearing diapers. Your child will be encouraged to participate in the process of being changed and supported in taking their pants on and off, getting out the changing pad if necessary, sitting on the potty and washing their hands. When we start to notice signs of readiness for potty training we will share in a discussion about how to move forward.
703 Rose St.
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231) 943-2554
brittni@pathwayspreschool.com
dan@pathwayspreschool.com
elizabeth@pathwayspreschool.com