Overview of Our Programs

We Are Proudly a Level 3 Early Achievers Program 

Early Achievers is bringing families, early learning professionals, supports and resources together to enhance the quality of early learning in Washington state and ensure that:

  • Early learning professionals have access to the resources and supports they need to provide quality care that supports each child’s development.
  • Children have access to high-quality early learning experiences.
  • Families can find high-quality childcare and early learning programs that fit their needs.

Together, we are creating a statewide system of high-quality early learning settings that meet the needs of children and families in Washington. Because every child should have the chance for a strong start.

Our Training and Experience

Birth to Five Early Learning Center is part of a larger non-profit organization, Birth to Three Developmental Center.  Birth to Three has been serving children and their families living in South King and Pierce Counties since 1966. Our mission is “to support and nurture the development of infants, toddlers, young children, and their families, through early intervention, childcare, and family support services, promoting the development of skills to last a lifetime.”

Our Executive Director, Maryanne Barnes, holds a master’s degree in Education from the University of Washington.  She has served as the Executive Director of Birth to Three since 2000.  Our Center Director, Rose Beech, has thirty years of experience in childcare center administration. She has directed creative programming and administrative staff for childcare centers serving up to 100 children.The state of Washington requires that Birth to Five Early Learning Center’s director and staff take on-going training on topics related to caring for young children, safety and leadership practices. Feel free to ask about our staff training opportunities and contact our Center Director, to review staff Training Records.

Our Program Philosophy and Curriculum

(WAC 110-300-0305)

Language education and play are the major components of our program. Enough time, material and space will be provided for children of all ages to actively explore the world around them. Children will have the opportunity to use a variety of art material, manipulative, and housekeeping equipment.

Infants and Waddlers (children under the age of two) will have flexible schedules which reflect each child’s individual needs. They will be given individual attention including lots of time for talking. The body position of non-mobile infants and their location in their classroom will be changed frequently. We will provide a safe, open space for babies who are creeping and crawling. Infants and toddlers will be encouraged to play with a variety of safe toys. We enjoy activities that are planned to provide children with a variety of developmental experiences, the majority of which focus on learning[KB3] ! 

Preschoolers and Pre-K children have structured schedules that follow Mother[CC4]  Goose Time Early Learning Curriculum. This curriculum ties to the State of  Washington’s Early Learning Standards for Kindergarten Readiness[KB5] [CC6] . There are new themes each month. Lessons and corresponding materials are provided for each day of the week including learning materials for parents.

The areas of focus in this curriculum include:

  • letters and phonics,
  • concepts of print and reading comprehension,
  • communication and vocabulary,
  • emergent writing,
  • counting and number concepts,
  • reasoning and logic,
  • music,
  • rhythm,
  • dance and movement,
  • creative thinking and artistic expression, and 
  • STEAM materials (STEAM: science, technology, engineering, art, math).

Activities for all children (modified to be developmentally appropriate) include: 

  • Language Development: books, music, modeling of communication, new vocabulary, story time
  • Large Muscle Skills: outdoor play, riding toys, climbing, and balls
  • Small Muscle Skills: putting things in and out of containers, coloring, stringing beads, arts and crafts, building with blocks
  • Self-Help Skills: skills such as eating, dressing and handwashing
  • Literacy Skills: books, stories, alphabet and writing games