Clayton Early Learning staff incubates and disseminates innovative, effective approaches to early childhood education.  These practices are grounded in our experience providing direct services to children and their families and professional development services to the early childhood community.  In addition, our research and evaluation efforts inform our work by deepening our understanding of the factors that contribute to better learning outcomes for young children.

Institute professional development programs seek to strengthen leadership practices through training and coaching that is learner-centered and focused on specific outcomes.  We provide concrete opportunities to reflect and learn from peers and engage program instructional leaders, directors and communty partners as co-learners and mentors.

At Clayton Educare, the latest research on how children develop and learn is translated into teaching strategies that promote children's growth in all domains - social, emotional, cognitive, linguistic, and physical. An active learning approach is encouraged, enabling children to learn new skills through a combination of play based activities and direct instruction.  We create an environment that reflects our belief that children learn best when they feel safe, can experience the support of their own culture and community, and have many opportunities to practice their new skills.

To support effective practice in the classroom, our coaches partner with teachers by:

• Modeling effective language acquisition strategies
• Assisting in the development of lesson plans with literacy, cognitive, and social/emotional objectives
• Setting goals for improving their skills and classroom learning environments
• Providing feedback on their progress.

This continuous improvement model is at the heart of all our work at Clayton Early Learning because effective practice is always evolving. We are always learning along with the children, families, and other professionals we serve.

The Effective Practices section will be frequently updated with direct services and professional development programs that show strong outcomes for children and Early Childhood professionals.