At Foundations, free play is at the heart of our approach. However, we also offer structured learning through Little Wonders Curriculum, a Reggio Emilia-friendly program that nurtures Pre-K readiness in three engaging modules:

• Pre-Literature – A weekly deep dive into a children's book, featuring daily readings, vocabulary discussions, and play-based group activities that bring the story to life.

• Block Play – A monthly book study combined with hands-on S.T.E.M. experiences, encouraging problem-solving, creativity, and spatial awareness.

• Little Masters Art – A monthly book study introducing a famous artist, followed by open-ended, process-focused art projects that inspire creative expression.Play Based Education (All Ages)

At Foundations, we blend the child-led philosophies of Montessori and Reggio Emilia into a play-based learning environment that values curiosity, independence, and exploration.

Unlike traditional methods, we don’t force children to sit for worksheets or memorize the alphabet. Instead, we scaffold learning through one-on-one interactions, following their natural excitement and interests. Our environments are designed to encourage:

• Freedom of choice – Children engage in activities at their own pace, guided by teachers who offer support and encouragement.

• Deep, meaningful learning – Through hands-on exploration, children develop critical thinking, creativity, and social-emotional skills.

• Developmentally appropriate practice – We respect the unique growth of each child, meeting them where they are and helping them flourish.

At Foundations, we believe that play is the work of childhood. When children play, they’re not just having fun—they’re learning essential skills that prepare them for school and for life.

🎶 Music & Movement
When children sing, dance, and explore rhythm, they’re developing language, memory, and coordination—all while expressing big feelings through joyful movement.

🎨 Process Art
We don’t focus on perfect crafts. Instead, children explore materials like paint, glue, and clay at their own pace. This open-ended creativity supports fine motor skills, self-confidence, and early math and literacy foundations.

🌳 Outdoor Play (Rain or Shine!)
Running, climbing, digging, and exploring the outdoors strengthens muscles and minds. It encourages risk assessment, problem-solving, and teamwork—especially in puddles and mud!

🧱 Blocks & Loose Parts
Building towers or inventing something with everyday objects teaches balance, cause and effect, early math, and spatial awareness. It also gives children a chance to collaborate and think like engineers.

🎭 Dramatic Play
When a child pretends to run a grocery store or go to the doctor, they’re making sense of the world around them. These role-play moments develop empathy, storytelling skills, and the ability to negotiate and cooperate with peers.

🌿 Independence Through Freedom
Children at Foundations are trusted to explore and make choices. That might mean getting messy—really messy! We embrace it, and offer on-site laundry support. Independence builds confidence and self-direction, which are crucial for lifelong learning.

At Foundations, we believe that childcare should feel like an extension of home. That’s why we offer resources and support to help ease the burden on families:

✔️ Laundry facilities – Available for families to save on laundromat costs.
✔️ Take-home meals – Leftovers from our hot lunches can be boxed up for dinner.
✔️ Little Free Pantry – Stocked with food staples, snacks, and household essentials.
✔️ Printing & Xeroxing – Free access for family needs.
✔️ Event space – Families can host birthday parties & gatherings in our facility at no cost.

At Foundations, we don’t just care for children—we care for families.

Foundations meets all Step Up to Quality requirements that are mandated by Nebraska law. At this time, we do not pursue additional voluntary levels. As a small, independent, community-focused program, we prioritize being fully present with the children and families we serve. The additional administrative work required for higher levels of SUTQ is something larger programs often have dedicated staff to manage. In smaller, more integrated programs like ours, those responsibilities would fall directly on teachers, which can create unnecessary stress and contribute to turnover.

One of the things we value most is consistency. Many of our teachers build relationships with children that last from toddlerhood through elementary school. Protecting that stability via low turnover is a core part of our mission.

We also believe strongly in maintaining a fully inclusive environment. After careful consideration of our peers’ experiences, some of the classroom management expectations within higher SUTQ levels can unintentionally push smaller, private programs toward making enrollment decisions that limit or exclude children with disabilities in order to meet certain criteria. That is not aligned with our values, and we do not believe families should have to choose between quality and inclusion.

We appreciate the importance of Step Up to Quality in Nebraska’s early childhood landscape. We also know that a scheduled observation day or a numerical score cannot fully capture the everyday interactions, inclusive practices, and child-led experiences that define our work.

We warmly encourage families to visit, meet our teachers, and see our play-based environment in action. Our quality is best understood through real relationships and the daily life of our classrooms, and we are always happy to talk with families about how we maintain high standards of care.