Curriculum
Children's questions and ideas are the basis for curriculum planning. Investigation occurs through a variety of mediums, such as art, music, literature, dance, block building and dramatic play. Our classrooms are designed to encourage exploration for all types of learning. Instead of feeding children a set of facts, we take their daily discoveries and explore them in depth. When the curriculum is tailored to meet the individual's strengths and interests, and the environment supports this, the children see themselves as capable learners, making sense of the world around them.

Director
Elaine Karas joined Purple Circle as its Director in 2000, after more than a decade as a pre-school teacher, school director, and professor of early childhood education in Westchester County. She has spoken and published extensively on early childhood development and curriculum.

From an interview with Elaine Karas, June 25, 2001:

"I think it is critical for programs like Purple Circle to preserve the child's right to play. There have been misconceptions about what play really is-that it is just letting children do whatever they want. Adults often are looking for visible, didactic learning. But what play does is allow children to explore and make sense of the world and people around them."
"The teacher's role is to listen and observe, taking the child's dialogue and thoughts as the springboard for curriculum development. That means the teacher and child investigate, research, and build upon the child's interests. The teacher and child become the 'researchers.' We can call this an 'emergent curriculum,' ideas developing from the interests of children. Research tells us that children learn best when the topic is relevant to them-to their lives and their families."

"Children have multiple ways of expressing themselves-whether it be through language, art, music, drama, block building. At Purple Circle, we create the space for children to reflect on what they know and what they find out through all these ways."

"Culture is also an important part of a child's development. Because we're living in a multicultural and diverse society, children need to learn to work and play with each other. I talk to teachers a lot about creating a democratic environment. What that means is that each child is entitled to have a voice in the classroom; that we have an emotionally safe environment allowing each child to take risks and ask questions, to resolve their misconceptions and to explore their wonders."

Teachers
Purple Circle is fortunate to have a highly skilled and dedicated teaching staff, all deeply committed to nurturing young children.
Our staff includes both recent graduates of top teaching programs and highly experienced teachers-some of whom have taught with us for a decade or more. This combination, along with our emphasis on staff development, makes for a dynamic educational environment.

Each classroom is run by a team of three teachers: a head teacher and two assistants. We maintain an excellent ratio of teachers to children:

Two-year olds: one teacher to every four children
Three-year olds: one teacher to every five children
Four-year olds: one teacher to every six children


Parents
Purple Circle believes that parents are the child's first teachers, and thus vital partners in early childhood education. We involve parents in every aspect of the school.
The center is run as a membership cooperative, which means that parents must assist in the overall operation of the school. Contributions that families make include repairs, fund raising, recruitment drives, professional services and Board membership. One parent from each family participates in an annual "work day" improving the school's facilities.

Parents also contribute to each classroom, leading special activities, organizing or accompanying school trips, or crafting new toys and facilities (a playhouse, a loft, a kitchen, a puppet theater). There is at least one required