ENROLLED
PARENT
CENTER

DISCOVER
BOTTEGA
EXPERIENCE

Our
Identity

Mission

To offer the child a place where their “Rights,” are respected, and the child is seen as a “Citizen,” of today’s society

Vision

To provide children, parents, and community with a school that fosters independent thinkers, and helps them construct understandings that form a solid foundation to excel in their education and life.

Our Identity & Values

Bottega’s core values are; Joy, Mindfulness, Relationships, Communication, Research, & Representation

Our History

Why did Bottega Emerge?

In 2003, Bottega Child Development Center emerged from a realization that there was a need in our community to create a school that offered children opportunities to have a voice, think, and explore their interest, so they may grow into lifelong learners. This realization came from our own needs as parents looking for excellence in early childhood education, and a warm, nurturing school where children could be happy and enjoy their journey.

What makes Bottega a school like no other?
Bottega is undoubtedly a special place. From the moment you walk through its doors it is evident that the faculty sees themselves as agents of change. The warm and nurturing environment reveals happy children. The child is always the protagonist and the program is individualized to meet the needs of each child in particular.

It is an innovative school dedicated to follow & implement the highest standards of early childhood education. Our world is increasingly facing rapid changes that demands that children be prepared for our complex and competitive society. Bottega understands that it is no longer enough for children to master the traditional skills such as reading, writing and math. Children need to develop critical and creative thinking; they need to find their own voice and understand their role as a citizen of the world. What makes Bottega different is that we provide a space where that voice is found and used to manifest their processes of thinking.

Our school has embraced the role as “Agents of Change.” We know that our school Mission, Vision, and Identity connected with our Program Goals help build a better world.

For Covid-19 information please call our school.

Origin of the
Reggio Emilia
Approach

After World War II, the families in the Municipality of Reggio Emilia were faced with the challenge of rebuilding their town and their society. Loris Malaguzzi, an educator and psychologist became the leader of a parent cooperative movement who had progressive ideas about early childhood education. They placed higher values on the construction of knowledge by the child in his or her relationship with the school environment, the teacher and the parents, rather than a one-way transmission of information. The core element for this philosophy is collaboration and communication.

“Learning and teaching should not stand on opposite banks and just watch the river flow by; instead, they should embark together on a journey down the water. Through an active, reciprocal exchange, teaching can strengthen learning how to learn.”
Loris Malaguzzi

Reggio Emilia
approach to
Education

The Reggio Emilia Approach is a Social Constructivist approach to education. It focuses on each child as an individual and understands that each one them is capable. The child is a member of our society; born not as an empty system to be filled with facts but as a person that is curious and creative, eager to make new discoveries and always trying to figure out their world. The child’s curiosity and creativity will naturally lead them to make meaningful connections with the support of the teachers, parents and peers. Bottega Child Development Center has embraced this approach to support the development of children’s ability so they become life-long learners and explorers, and grow to be independent and responsible citizens.

“Education is an opportunity for the growth and emancipation of the individual and the collective: it is a resource for gaining knowledge and for learning to live together; it is a meeting place where freedom, democracy, and solidarity are practiced and where the value of peace is promoted.”
Loris Malaguzzi

What are the Characteristics of our Bottega Faculty?

The Bottega Teacher nurtures, models, listens, connects, guides and researches. Our Teacher Researcher facilitates and partners with the child as co-constructor of knowledge. They connect emotionally with the child, building strong relationships and supporting the children in forming a sense of belonging, which allows them to feel safe and develop a sense community. As part of their praxis our teachers observe how children play to discover common interests and possible theories to further their investigation. The teacher is there to help children construct meaning through real experiments and experiences in their daily routines. That is why our teachers practice the pedagogy of listening, using documentation as the form of making children’s learning visible.

PROGRAMS

What are Our Children Learning?

As children play they are learning. Our teachers intentionally plan meaningful experiences that connect with all the curricular fields of knowledge needed to build understanding and create habits of mind. Habits of Mind are disposition/behaviors we have or develop in order to confront problems. NAEYC standards are created by experts and educators from around the country that are recognized nation wide to be the highest standards in early childhood education.

Fields of Knowledge

• Social Emotional
• The Arts
• Language
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Social Studies
• Science Physical – (Fine Motor & Gross Motor)

NAEYC ACCREDITED PROGRAMS Standards

1. Positive Relationships
2. Implement Curriculum that fosters all areas of development.
3. Developmentally, culturally, & linguistically appropriate practices.
4. Provide ongoing systematic, formal & informal assessments.
5. Promote nutrition and health practices to protect children and staff.
6. Teaching staff with educational qualifications, and knowledge.
7. Establish relationships with child’s family.
8. Establish relationships with the community.
9. Provide a safe & healthy physical environment.
10. Implement policies, procedures, & systems that support high quality experience.