At Little Caterpillar Academy, we believe children thrive when they grow and learn in a healthy, safe, respectful, nurturing, joyful, and loving environment. We honor each child as a capable individual and believe learning happens best when children are supported to develop at their own pace, in ways that build confidence, curiosity, and a strong sense of self. 

As early learning educators, our role is not to dictate what children should learn, but to thoughtfully guide them through meaningful experiences that spark interest, joy, and a love of learning. We encourage children to learn about themselves by developing confidence and emotional awareness, to explore their surroundings through their senses, and to discover the world through nature and science, nurturing curiosity, wonder, and critical thinking. 

Our program supports the whole child, intentionally nurturing social-emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development. Curriculum planning follows the Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines, ensuring learning experiences are developmentally appropriate, culturally responsive, inclusive, and aligned with best practices in early childhood education. 

To bring our philosophy to life, teachers intentionally plan each day with a balance of guided instruction and child-directed play. During guided learning times, children participate in two daily circle times where teachers use visual supports, songs, movement, and discussion to introduce monthly themes such as emotions, social relationships, seasons, animals, planets, and the natural world. Teachers closely observe children’s interests and developmental readiness, adjusting lesson plans weekly to deepen understanding and extend learning. 

During focused work sessions, children engage in early academic and problem-solving experiences through age-appropriate activities in language, early literacy, math, science, and logical thinking. Throughout the week, children are encouraged to express themselves creatively through art, music, movement, and storytelling. During free play, teachers actively join children’s exploration, extending ideas, modeling language, and supporting collaboration and problem solving. Carefully designed learning areas, including dramatic play, sensory exploration, building, art, and quiet reading, are arranged at the child’s level to promote independence and discovery. Daily outdoor play further supports gross motor development, physical health, and positive routines. 

Both English and Mandarin are naturally woven into daily routines, stories, songs, and conversations, allowing children to connect language with real-life experiences throughout their day. We celebrate the diverse cultural backgrounds of our families through meaningful traditions, stories, and holiday activities that honor both Chinese and American cultures. 

We are committed to individualized learning, supporting each child’s unique strengths and needs, including children with special health care plans or disabilities. Dual-language learners are supported through intentional use of both languages in the classroom.

To ensure high-quality program design and consistent implementation, all staff receive training in our curriculum philosophy and participate in ongoing professional development. Teachers are provided with dedicated planning time to prepare materials, reflect on observations, and collaborate with colleagues, ensuring continuity, depth, and excellence across classrooms.