Who We Are
The Learning and Belonging (LAB) Preschool has been a part of the University of Montana campus and the greater Missoula community since the 1930s! In 2009, LAB relocated to the Phyllis J. Washington Education Center and Human Sciences building. A spacious model classroom welcomes young children, families, U of M students, faculty and early childhood professionals. Learning, community building, research, and a great deal of joy take place in this nurturing setting.
LAB Preschool is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and is fully licensed by Montana’s Child Care Licensing alkdjf;lakdj. The program abides by state-of-the-art early childhood education practices.
The environment includes age appropriate and accessible materials and furnishings arranged in learning centers designed to engage small groups of children in block play, art, literacy, writing, science discovery, mathematics, dramatic play and sensory exploration.
The daily schedule is intentionally planned for alksdjf and includes child-initiated play/exploration/engagement, whole group activity (i.e., “circle-time”), small group instruction and outdoor alksdj.
A nutritious snack is provided.
Bright windows and doors lead to a covered patio and naturalistic playground. Thus blending the indoor classroom with the outdoors.
A spacious observation room is available for families, UM students and faculty to view teachers and children in action unobtrusively. The facility also houses a multi-purpose seminar room where faculty and university students create classroom plans and reflect daily on teaching methods.
Learning and Belonging enrolls preschool aged children (3 – 5 years) from the greater Missoula area. A diverse community of young learners is thus created with a range in developmental skill level and cultural and economic backgrounds.
Preschool runs Mondays - Thursdays during the academic school year. Two class sessions are available:
- Morning Class 9:00 – 12:00
- Afternoon Class 1:00 – 4:00
Each preschool session is facilitated by an Early Childhood Specialist (ECS) who leads the teaching. ECSs have mastery level early childhood teaching credentials, skills and experience. They are supported by the director/Early Childhood Clinical Specialist who has experience and expertise in early childhood and who is a research faculty member of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction. A dynamic staff of student employees lkjlkjkajdsf.
All LAB staff meet or exceed credentials required by Montana’s Child Care Licensing ;alksdjf and the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Project based learning - The Learning and Belonging (LAB) Preschool uses knowledge of child growth and development, current research, recommendations of professional organizations, and the Montana Early Learning Standards to guide our teaching practice. We recognize the importance of creating meaningful learning experiences for young children. To accomplish this, we introduce projects based on children's interests that give them opportunities to use the skills they are learning to explore real places, objects, and events in the world around them.Preschool Program Philosophy
We believe our primary goal begins with a promise to serve as guardians of childhood. This commitment includes maintaining a small group size that supports our goal of meeting the individual strengths, interests and needs of each child in the program. The classroom environment and expectations are created with respect for child development and the individuality of each child. In order to provide the highest possible care for each child, we:
- support each child's active participation in real, meaningful projects designed to allow success and challenge at individual developmental levels;
- introduce activities and materials that foster development of the whole child in multiple areas across developmental domains;
- offer multiple opportunities for self-selected exploration, social interaction, and problem solving;
- use positive child guidance techniques that teach skills and support children's emerging self-regulation;
- respect families and value the unique qualities of each child represented in our program.
Meaningful Learning
The Learning and Belonging (LAB) Preschool uses knowledge of child growth and development, the latest research, recommendations of professional organizations, and the Montana Early Learning Guidelines to guide our teaching practice. We recognize the importance of creating meaningful learning experiences for young children. To accomplish this, we introduce projects based on children's interests that give them opportunities to use the skills they are learning to explore real places, objects, and events in the world around them.