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Academic Overview

Our approach to a negotiated curriculum is a way of meeting children where they are at emotionally and psychologically. It is a way of considering children for their unique self, beliefs, skills and interests.  This approach demands a high level of teacher understanding, involvement and commitment.  Teachers respond to children’s interests and needs by providing an environment that is rich in materials and activities that specifically support those interests and needs.

A negotiated curriculum is one that builds upon the interests of children. Topics for study are drawn from the inspiration of the children, through community or family events, as well as the well-known interests of children (puddles, shadows, water, etc.). Team planning is an essential component for success. Teachers work together to formulate guidelines about the possible directions of a project, the materials needed, and possible parent and/or community support and involvement.

Explore Our Programs

As a school, our goal is to bring out the best in the children and allow them the opportunity to find their voice, and among all else find the rich potential and talent that each child possesses.

Mary Johnson's Children's Center

Mary Johnson's School Age Program

Middlebury Cooperative Nursery School

Orwell Early Education Program

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(802) 388-2853

81 Water Street
Middlebury, Vermont 05753

© 2023 Mary Johnsons Children's Center. All Rights Reserved. Website by SA Solutions.

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In accordance with federal civil rights law and U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) civil rights regulations and policies, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex (including gender identity and sexual orientation), disability, age, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil rights activity. Program information may be made available in languages other than English. Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of communication to obtain program information (e.g., Braille, large print, audiotape, American Sign Language), should contact the responsible state or local agency that administers the program or USDA’s TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. To file a program discrimination complaint, a Complainant should complete a Form AD-3027, USDA Program Discrimination Complaint Form which can be obtained online at: https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-3027.pdf, from any USDA office, by calling (866) 632-9992, or by writing a letter addressed to USDA. The letter must contain the complainant’s name, address, telephone number, and a written description of the alleged discriminatory action in sufficient detail to inform the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights (ASCR) about the nature and date of an alleged civil rights violation. The completed AD-3027 form or letter must be submitted to USDA by: mail: U.S. Department of Agriculture Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights 1400 Independence Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20250-9410; or fax: (833) 256-1665 or (202) 690-7442; or email: Program.Intake@usda.gov This institution is an equal opportunity provider.

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