Journeys is Crème de la Crème’s comprehensive, science-based kindergarten curriculum. Through the Journeys curriculum, our littlest learners receive the following: 

• A strong reading foundation that builds vocabulary skills.

• An introduction to the fundamentals of grammar and spelling in an age-appropriate manner.

• A support system for developing writing competencies.

• An opportunity to hone enduring skills, such as adaptability and communication, that prepare any child for lifelong education.
  

Kindergartners explore literature-based fiction and informational nonfiction texts through the Journeys curriculum, giving young learners early exposure to both genres. As a result, Crème de la Crème teachers can use the Journeys reading program to create engaging, informative lessons that meet the needs and interests of all children. 

We put whole-child education at the center of everything at Crème de la Crème. From our facilities to our instructional methods and values, we focus on nurturing each child’s cognitive, emotional, social, language, and physical development.

• The Journeys reading curriculum demonstrates our commitment to whole-child education in the following ways:

• We engage our educators and families in the vital roles they play in connecting home and school learning for every child.

• We provide a breadth and depth of knowledge in vocabulary building, the elements of writing, and oral communication to strengthen each child’s cognitive abilities.

• We help each child develop enduring life and social skills through a broad range of experiences focusing on collaboration and interaction with our educators and their peers.
  

The Journeys curriculum is an essential part of our award-winning private kindergarten program. With lower student-teacher ratios than many area public schools and one-on-one individualized instruction, Crème de la Crème teachers can make the vital connection with children that supports them in acquiring language skills and building reading competency. Having a solid foundation in reading and writing translates to all other areas our private kindergarten program touches, including:

• Robotics and coding.

• STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics).

• Spanish and Mandarin language introduction.

• Language arts.

• Music.
  

Our Journeys reading curriculum supports all areas of a child’s development, including cognitive, language, and social-emotional development. As they interact with images and words, children transition from emergent literacy (a term used to describe a child’s knowledge of language and literacy skills before they learn to read and write) to practicing literacy. 

Children acquire and develop essential skills, such as adaptability, communication, and problem solving, through reading and writing. These enduring skills are ones they’ll continue to practice and refine not only through their educational career but also in their adult careers and lives.

Our Crème de la Crème educators demonstrate high expectations for our children and ensure their safety and support in everything they do. As an extension of our whole-child approach to education, we designed the Journeys ELA curriculum to be sustainable and collaborative, maximizing our staff resources to set up children for a lifetime of success. 

Our Crème de la Crème team members dedicate themselves to supporting the Journeys curriculum. We undertake educational training through in-service courses and professional development to offer each child the best learning experience possible, all within a safe, fun environment. At Crème de la Crème, we strive to make our Journeys reading curriculum an educational and enjoyable experience for your child.

We recognize the essential role that parents play in nurturing their children’s enthusiasm for learning. After all, parents are a child’s first teacher. Aligning with our desire to create a holistic learning environment, we want to keep parents engaged with our Journeys curriculum, including when they are at home with their child.

The following ideas offer some suggestions that you as a parent can use to extend the Journeys curriculum elements to your child’s at-home learning: 

• Read aloud to your children and have them read aloud to you. Reading at home provides continuity with the reading activities your child experiences each day at Crème de la Crème.
• Build vocabulary by encouraging your children to describe, express, and relate events and objects to their daily lives. Providing them the space to communicate about their world fosters vocabulary building and enhances their language proficiencies.
• Encourage your child to recount details of stories you’ve read or activities you’ve taken part in together. Recalling and retelling stories promotes self-expression and communication.