We help the children discover their unique talents. We're all special, and sharing what makes us special is an integral part of the learning process.

We provide numerous "hands on" learning experiences. Children develop community awareness through field trips, and visits by local resource people. A fully developed and balanced curriculum is available to meet the needs and interests of children (readiness skills, small & large motor skills, socialization skills, music, arts, and crafts).

Assisting your child in independent work and play. Helping your child to develop a sense of positive self-identity. Allowing children to experience success. Helping your child develop a sense of self-control and responsibility.

Providing effective outlets for your little one's "restless energy". Allowing individuals to grow in strength and coordination (playground, group games, movement exercises, etc.)

We help children learn to accept help and direction from adults outside the home. They learn to understand the feelings of others. We ease them in their separation from parents and home. They learn to value one's own rights and the rights of others, and they learn the importance of living cooperatively with others.

The Infant Program, located at the Riverland site will provide child care services to 8 infants ages six weeks to 16 months, with a staff ratio of 1:4.

Teachers provide:

• Materials including books, age appropriate puzzles, soft blocks and puppets to promote creative growth experiences.
• Explorative learning opportunities such as reading, finger plays, and manipulatives that offer educational opportunities.
• A welcome upon arrival and departures with a cheerful hello and establish warm, caring relationships with each child. Children develop social and emotional skills on a daily basis.
• Opportunities to support infant needs to move and be active by offering large motor equipment such as large soft climbing blocks, tunnels, exer-saucers and soft balls.
• Demonstrate use of words instead of actions to express emotions (older infants). Children will begin to respond to praise, limits and re- direction.

The Toddler Program (Riverland Site) will provides child care services to 14 toddlers ages 16 months to 33 months, with a staff ratio of 1:7. The main site provides child care up to 28 toddlers ages 16 months to 33 months, with a staff ratio of 1:7.

Teachers provide:

• Materials including books, tapes, puzzles, unit blocks, small manipulatives, crayons, markers, paper, puppets, stringing beads, and playdough to promote creative growth.
• Materials and activities to build skills such as colors, ABC’s shape recognition, books (literacy) and beginning counting.
• Teachers respond predictably and appropriately to children’s physical, emotional, social and cognitive needs. They will explore a wide range of emotions in different ways (e.g., through play, art, music and dance)
• Opportunities to develop large muscle control and coordination, body strength, balance, flexibility through large motor games, and equipment that is available indoors and outdoors.
• Opportunities to experiment with own potential and show confidence in own abilities. They will have ample time throughout the day for children’s active engagement, exploration and experimentation with materials.

The Preschool Program at Riverland College will provide child care services to 24 children ages 33 months to kindergarten, with a staff ratio of 1:10. Apple Lanes main site will provide child care services up to 40 preschool children ages 33 months to kindergarten, with a staff ratio of 1:10.

Teachers provide:

• Materials including books, tapes, puzzles, unit blocks, small manipulatives, crayons, markers, paper, puppets, stringing beads, and playdough.
• Activities that include a variety of school readiness activities such as numbers, shapes, and color recognition as well as counting, phone number and address identification.
• Opportunities for children to understand and discuss their feelings and those of others. They will provide physical environments, schedules, and routines that promote self-control and self-regulation.
• Teachers support individual variations in gross motor development and provide space and equipment that allow for outdoor play and large motor activities that are fun and challenging. Children will make physical activity part of everyday life.
• Props on a routine basis or as a special event, i.e,. set up as a bakery, kitchen, office, fix it shops, etc in the dramatic play area. Opportunities for children to learn about their own culture and the culture of others, developing understanding of their gender and cultural identity and modeling self-confidence in interactions with children and others are apart of activities.

The School Age Program at the main site will serve children Kindergarten to age 10, with a staff ratio of 1:15.

Teachers provide:

• Materials including books, tapes, puzzles, unit blocks, small manipulatives, crayons, markers, paper, puppets, stringing beads, and playdough.
• Age appropriate activities to promote educational growth that include field trips, science and math hands on explorations, as well as art, music and promotion of social skills.
• Opportunities for children to understand and discuss their feelings and those of others. They will provide physical environments, schedules, and routines that promote self-control and self-regulation.
• Support individual variations in gross motor development and provide space and equipment that allow for outdoor play and large motor activities that are fun and challenging. Children will make physical activity part of everyday life.
• Props on a routine basis or as a special event, i.e,. set up as a bakery, kitchen, office, fix it shops, etc in the dramatic play area. Opportunities for children to learn about their own culture and the culture of others, developing understanding of their gender and cultural identity and modeling self-confidence in interactions with children and others are apart of activities.

Each classroom has educational goals that are appropriate for the growth and development of the ages of children we serve. Children work on their colors, shapes, sizes, coloring, painting, finger plays, songs, ABC's. They use sensory materials such as play dough, silly putty, shaving cream, water table play to assist as learning skill builder tools in a health environment.

Program plans are posted in each classroom. Parents may visit the center at any time during the hours of operation to observe our programs. We are very proud of our teachers and the work they do with your children. Please contact us if you wish to visit.

Parent Teacher conferences will be an opportunity for you to touch base with the staff at Apple Lane. Conferences are offered in the Fall and again in the Spring.