Curriculum

About Our Curriculum

We aim to ensure children feel safe and secure, recognizing their need to depend on adults and a stable environment before developing independence. Respecting each child's unique development and interests, we use small groups and suitable teacher-child ratios to address individual needs. 

Wishing Well Preschool implements an Emergent Curriculum designed to engage active learners. This approach to curriculum development is grounded in the children's current interests and passions. Research indicates that children thrive and achieve optimal learning outcomes when their interests are integrated into the educational process, facilitating natural and meaningful learning experiences. The planning of an emergent curriculum requires educators to employ careful observation, thorough documentation, innovative collaboration, adaptability, and patience. 

Emergent Curriculum is a child-initiated and teacher facilitated approach to learning. Using emerging interests of the children, teachers plan multiple ways for the children to study the topic of interest. This way of planning responds to children's interests to create a more meaningful learning experience. Emergent curriculum involves the whole child, meaning the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical realms of development and learning. 

We use developmentally appropriate practices (DAP) in our daily routines and planning, drawing on research from experts like Dewey, Plaget, and Erickson. DAP guides us to respect each child's individuality and stage of development, creating environments that support healthy, holistic learning. 

As part of our curriculum, each student will compile a portfolio that features various samples of their work during their time with us. These portfolios enable educators to thoughtfully reflect on students' experiences and establish developmental goals. They serve as a systematic means for teachers to document academic growth and development, as well as to inform ongoing program planning and implementation. Portfolios are also used to communicate important information about each student's progress and learning experiences with families throughout the year.

Classes List

  • Classroom composition, staffing, and activities.

    Infants thrive in a caring, accepting, and loving environment. Our infant teachers understand the importance of developing a bond with your child. Infant daily schedules are very individualized and infant teachers develop strong relationships with family members and caregivers in order to provide and maintain a stable, nurturing environment for your child. Many meaningful interactions are conducted while teachers perform routine tasks, such as diapering and feeding. Our teachers celebrate the many milestones children achieve in their first year. They utilize these achievements to plan and implement activities to help your child reach their next level of personal development. As your child learns to trust the adults who provide for their needs, they will be able to acquire their own sense of self-esteem and self-worth.


  • Classroom composition, staffing, and activities.

    The primary focus of the Toddler Room is to provide an environment that is warm, caring, and accepting to each child’s individual needs. Our toddler program is a flexible hands-on program that fosters the physical, cognitive, social, and emotional growth of the children. A consistent routine, with a flexible schedule, provides a balance of activities designed to meet the individual needs of growing toddlers. Our toddler curriculum is guided by the developmental expectations outlined in the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards (WMELS), which support early learning across key developmental domains. Toddler teachers implement WMELS as a means to develop goals and plan individualized activities for the children in their care. These activities are developmentally appropriate, yet can accommodate the varying abilities of busy toddlers.

  • Our goal is to provide developmentally appropriate opportunities throughout the day based on your child’s individual needs. We strive to develop the foundations for future academic learning, wholesome social relationships and emotional health.

    Two-year-old children are highly active as they begin to explore and interact with their surroundings. Within a safe environment, they engage enthusiastically in structured activities. The curriculum implemented by teachers establishes a foundation for the development of essential pre-academic skills. A hands-on approach to learning fosters early readiness skills including color and shape recognition, self-concept, fine and gross motor control, socialization, and creative expression. Responsive caregivers guide children toward developing self-awareness and learning empathy and cooperation with peers. Furthermore, two-year-olds are encouraged to practice self-help tasks independently, many of which are refined prior to transitioning into the preschool program.

  • During the preschool years, children embark on a journey of learning and exploration.

    The Creative Curriculum® is purposefully constructed to provide your child with a variety of academic experiences promoting problem solving, persistence, and a passion for lifelong learning. Preschool teachers structure play activities to teach academic concepts which may include math, language, and fine motor skills. Preschool teachers place a strong emphasis on self-help skills and social interactions with peers. Our teachers modify education experiences based on children’s interests and strengths while recognizing each child as an individual. Your child’s teacher will track his or her progress through our child assessment portfolio system based on Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards. Teachers use this information to plan weekly activities for the children. Our classrooms display a balance between teacher-directed and child-directed activities. Integrated curriculum through themes allows children to investigate areas of interest from multiple perspectives.

  • Our 4K program follows the district approved curriculum.


  • Wishing Well 2.0 is a 5-star Nationally Accredited program committed to providing high-quality care and enrichment for school-age children. We offer a warm, welcoming environment where school-age children thrive before and after school, on early release days, and during school breaks. Our program is designed to foster friendships, encourage teamwork, and provide a fun, safe place for kids to be themselves.

    With a focus on social-emotional development, our educators use Conscious Discipline® strategies to help children build self-awareness, solve problems peacefully, and form meaningful connections with others. Whether it’s sharing laughter during group games, creating together in the art area, or teaming up for outdoor challenges, every day is filled with opportunities to build strong relationships.

    At Wishing Well 2.0, we’re proud to be a place where children belong, friendships grow, and families feel confident in the care their children receive.