7 Ways Our Preschool Curriculum Helps Children Grow

Every parent touring preschools asks some version of the same question: What will my child actually do here all day? The answer lies in the curriculum, the plan behind a child’s day that shapes the activities, the classroom, and the way teachers guide play to encourage learning. 

A good preschool curriculum doesn’t feel like “school” to a child at all. It just feels like a really fun day. At Ducklings Early Learning Centers, our educators carefully plan each day with intention and care. Here are seven ways our proprietary early learning curriculum gives every Duck the chance to grow.

1. Play-based Learning that Nurtures Curiosity

Play-based learning means children learn by exploring, and teachers guide that exploration instead of interrupting it. Our classrooms are set up for hands-on, multi-sensory discovery, with teachers nearby to guide exploration. We give our Ducks the space to follow what they are curious about.

2. Movement Built into Every Day

Movement is part of every child’s day at Ducklings. Between our indoor gymnasiums, outdoor time, and guided activities like yoga, soccer, dance, and karate, there is plenty of room to run, stretch, and wiggle. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends at least an hour of active play daily for young children, so we intentionally weave it into their routine.

3. Everyday Moments that Build Heart

The small moments are where empathy grows. When two of our Ducks want the same toy or a craft turns into a mess, our teachers treat it as a chance to practice sharing, patience, and cleaning up together. These early social-emotional experiences are central to how children connect with others, and we make space for them all day long.

4. Here We Grow!™: Our Proprietary Curriculum Framework

Here We Grow!™ is our proprietary, age-appropriate framework that guides daily lesson plans in our schools. It was built by educators with hands-on experience, so it reflects what really works with young children.

The curriculum is designed to keep kids engaged, with weekly themes, sensory bins that invite little hands to dig in, and story times that pull the day’s ideas together. Each activity gives our Ducks a chance to explore in their own way.

5. Off We Go!®: A Trip Around the World, From the Classroom

Off We Go!® is our foreign language and world culture program, and it takes curious young minds on a journey around the globe without ever leaving the classroom. Through language, music, storytelling, and cultural celebration, children discover new places and new ways of living. It is a warm, everyday introduction to the wider world and the people in it.

6. Shake a Tail Feather®: Building Gross Motor Skills

Shake a Tail Feather® is our gross motor program, where kids get to run, jump, and move their whole bodies. Our indoor gyms are designed for organized games and movement activities that help kids of all ages build balance, coordination, strength, and teamwork skills. Learning to move with confidence is an important part of early development, so we build it into their week and tie it back to the themes they’re exploring in the classroom.

7. Family Partnership That Brings Lessons Home

Education works best when it doesn’t stop at the classroom door, and strong family relationships are at the foundation of early childhood development. At Ducklings, we share regular updates about each child’s progress, host family events, and keep communication open, so parents always know how their Duck’s day went and can help continue the learning at home. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What should families look for in a preschool curriculum?

Look for play-based learning, daily movement, and transparent family communication. These are all signs that a program is built around how young children actually learn.

At what age can my child start at Ducklings?

Ducklings welcomes children from six weeks to six years old, and our program is designed to grow with your child at every stage.

How is Ducklings different from other early learning centers?

Ducklings is family-owned, built on our proprietary curriculum, and has been serving families for over 30 years. We are a community first, and more than just a daycare.

Come See Our Ducks in Action

The best way to understand if a preschool curriculum is the right fit for your child is to see it in action. We invite you to come tour a location, meet the teachers, and see how we welcome new Ducks. Find a location near you and come say hello.