The Gateway philosophy is that all children have special needs and an inclusive approach to early childhood education is the best way for children to develop appropriate skills while learning and growing together.

We believe that children learn best in a play-based environment. Our teachers guide children through hands on learning experiences, building on the interest and development of each child. The day is structured to include opportunities for free choice, active outdoor play, quiet play, rest periods, and meals. Each day children can choose to play at a variety of learning centers, including writing, art, blocks, discovery, music and movement, and dramatic play. Through our curriculum, we foster a child’s growth in cognitive, social/emotional, physical, and language development. We believe the best way to assess children’s learning is through observing them at play. As children interact with materials and peers in the learning environment, they naturally reveal to their teachers what they know.

We believe that children’s primary caregivers are their first teachers. Because of this, we encourage families to participate in their child’s education in a variety of ways. We have an open door policy, which allows families to visit and interact with their child at any time. We conduct parent-teacher conferences, which keeps communication open and allows parents and teachers to set goals for the future. We invite families to participate in monthly events, such as our Thanksgiving Feast, Summer Picnic, Winter Program and Graduation. We continually work to build and maintain relationships that will support learning and help children reach their highest potential.