Early Education Center

(Ages 3 to 4)

(Age 5)

"A Play-Based Approach to Learning and Leadership"

Our Mission

For over 80 years ANS has been on the cutting edge of academic excellence and ethical leadership development. This mission begins with early education.

ANS Early Education – Pathways and Kinder – is where our Tigers start their journey and we are committed to providing the education necessary for their future success.

The Importance of Play

A large body of global research indicates that play is the vehicle through which children acquire academic, leadership, and socio-emotional foundations and skills.

Learning through play enhances creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking skills while providing a rich environment for children to explore ideas, develop skills and engage deeply with the material.

English immersion through play makes language learning engaging, natural and fosters enhanced language acquisition.

The seven pillars of our ans play based curriculum

Academic Excellence

Following best practices from the Creative Curriculum for Preschool and Harvard University’s Project Zero, teachers work with students in small groups and through personalized interactions to ensure they are developing competencies in the following areas shown to be critical to future academic success:
Literacy/Language
Mathematics
Science & Technology
Social Studies
Physical Competences: Gross & Fine Motor Skills

Leadership Development

Following curriculum-based and carefully designed questions, students are challenged with thought provoking questions – ones that foster confidence, adaptability and critical thinking.

Socio-Emotional Competencies

In alignment with the school-wide framework for social emotional learning, our teachers tailor daily routines, social interactions, explicit instructions, and support for student development of critical social emotional competencies including independence, emotional regulation, resilience and self confidence.

Skills Identification & Development

Children are all creative and engaged. Whether it is in the area of visual arts, music, athletics, science, or technology (robotics/programming), ANS has an option for our students to discover and develop their passions and interests.

Teacher Excellence

Our teachers are trained in play-based learning through Harvard University’s Project Zero.
The collaboration that occurs across all teachers – Classroom, Paraprofessionals, English Language Learning, Specialized Learning, Athletics, Robotics, Arts and Music – leverages the benefits of our school wide resources for your child’s development.
Curriculum Leadership and Governance at ANS engage directly with the multiple stakeholders involved in the Early Learning Center
- The ANS Director General holds a PhD from Harvard University, providing expertise in the areas of psychology, education and research methodology.
- The ANS Director of Learning holds an M.Ed. from Harvard Graduate School of Education, connecting Project Zero and constructivist education models to early learning curriculum development and supervision.

Individualized Attention/Assessment of Growth and Developmental

Multiple tools and systems are put into place that ensure parents have real-time information.
The Creative Curiculum’s GOLD assessment tool allows teachers to track and actuate student learning across thirty-eight developmental areas and communicate this info to parents.
Teachers and administrators collaborate to design individualized interventions for students to support their language and learning development.
The Stepping Stones program gives parents a voice in the timing of their child’s development, including extension from 12:00 dismissal to the 2:30 dismissal or participation in after school activities.

Family Involvement

Because no one knows children better than their parents, ANS is committed to partnering in a collaborative approach to early learning.
- Teachers provide text-based updates on student development through video & audio recordings on StoryPark, a secure app that promotes conversation-style feedback loops from parent-to-teacher.
- Teachers use the Ready Rosie platform to share videos with parents that coach caregivers to engage in developmentally rigorous ways that promote healthy growth and learning.