Here at the Dunn’s Corners Early Learning Center, we understand that young children are active and natural learners whose brains are constantly building connections. This is why we offer engaging learning experiences that are child-driven, play-based, and aligned with the Rhode Island Early Learning & Development Standards (RIELDS)

Our curriculum includes daily learning centers based off of the nine domains of RIELDS. This ensures children receive a well-rounded academic foundation that prepares them for future success in Kindergarten. Our centers include Science and Engineering, Technology, English Language Arts (ELA), Math and Art

What are the domains of RIELDS?

  • Language Development– In this domain the standards we will be working on are children’s ability to follow appropriate social and conversational rules. The components within these standards address children’s expressive and receptive language, and pragmatics.
  • Literacy– The standards for literacy address phonological awareness, print awareness, text comprehension, and emergent writing. The development of these emergent literacy skills is critical for children’s kindergarten readiness and future academic success.
  • Social Studies– This domain assesses a child’s understanding of how they relate to their family and community, social norms, diversity, and basic geography. The goals of these standards are to help children develop and understanding of time and place, and to broaden their thoughts about the world around them.
  • Mathematics– Standards in this domain relate to student’s number sense, patterning, measurement, comparison, ordering, and geometry. The goal for our student’s in regards to math standards are to build a strong foundation of basic math concepts and skills they can use to solve problems.
  • Social and Emotional Development– This domain encompasses children’s ability to form close adult/peer relationships, regulate and express a full range of emotions in socially appropriate ways, and show interest in exploring the world around them. Student success in these standards are dependent on healthy and consistent positive interactions with parents/guardians, the teachers and other familiar adults.
  • Science– The standards within this domain address a child’s ability to use scientific methods such as observing, asking and answering questions, collecting and analyzing data, and using their senses to gain knowledge about the world around them.
  • Creative Arts– In this domain children will work on expressing their ideas and feelings through music, drama, and visual arts. The standards assess student’s willingness to participate in the arts, manipulate tools, and express meaning.
  • Physical Health and Motor Development-This domain is an essential part of children’s overall well-being. The standards address a child’s coordination, strength, gross and fine motor development, and health/safety practices.
  • Cognitive Development– In preschool the standards relating to cognitive development address the growth in a child’s ability to pay attention for increased periods of time, attend to tasks even when distractions are present, and understand how their actions affect others. A child’s kindergarten readiness is dependent on consistent practice and experience with the standards of this domain.

We offer a half (9am-12 pm) and full day program (9am-3pm) as well as an extended day. Our program is open from 7am until 5:30 pm. Our scheduling is flexible and affordable. Individual scholarships and financial aid is available and we accept DHS assistance. Please contact us to review our many options for your family’s needs for exceptional Early Education.

Our Education Coordinator Miss Shara, bachelor’s degree in Education from Mount Holyoke College and a masters’ degree from Saint Joseph’s College, and her assistant Miss Judi, Associates in Early Education from the Community College of Rhode Island teach our Preschool class. We are a Brightstars program and are licensed by the Department of Human Services of Rhode Island. Our teaching staff is committed to providing the best program for your child and one that families can be a partner in their child’s school experience.