Transforming ECE Spotlight
By Carrie Becker
Published May 17, 2021
This week I am so excited to put our Transforming ECE Spotlight on Partners In Learning (http://epartnersinlearning.org/) located in Salisbury North Carolina.
How did you get started?
Partners In Learning was created in the spring of 1996 by a group of individuals that wanted to build a place that would include all children, including those with special needs and those that come from low-income families. We are a model center for inclusion, providing early intervention services to children with special needs, including developmental therapy and special instruction, as well as support for parents.
What is your caregiving philosophy?
My philosophy is that children learn through play. They learn through interacting with their environment. Natural elements within their environment are essential, which includes spending lots of time outdoors. The teachers’ role is to ask questions and design the environment in a way that promotes inquiry of young children.
Tell me about your program.
Partners In Learning is a nonprofit organization that provides high-quality early care and education to over 250 children each week at our two locations. From our classrooms, NC Pre-K program, after-school-care, and summer enrichment camps, education is our passion. We strive to support the needs of all children and their families in our community, so we offer family resources including inclusion and behavior support, as well as Triple P Parenting and support groups. All children and their families are welcome at Partners In Learning.
What do you wish people knew about caring for young children?
The foundation for caring for young children is built on warm, caring, responsive relationships. Young children can only learn when they feel safe and can trust their caregivers.