Childcare & Afterschool Center
"Where children learn through play, exploration, and hands-on activities."
Program Objective:
To provide a high quality program that challenges each child to grow academically and socially/emotionally. We aim to cultivate each child’s inner abilities through age appropriate instruction, structured play, and consistent care.
Program Philosophy:
At Little Scholars Journey, we believe that children learn a great deal of information via play, modeled behavior, and positive encouragement. As we know, play can be purely physical, like running, climbing, or throwing a ball. Otherwise, highly intellectual, like solving a complex puzzle, comprehending a math problem, or navigating through an unfamiliar town. When thinking about how children develop, we deem, it is experience that will have direct influence on how they grow and build their own knowledge. Children learn best when wanted behaviors are modeled and they are given the opportunity to actually do the work (or play) themselves. Rather than being simply told, shown, or explained how to do something, we highly encourage independence. Therefore, our program will offer an engaging environment for young children to autonomously learn. Our teachers will provide unconditional positive regard and constant support. As a result, children will be able to observe, think, and solve problems on their own.
At Little Scholars Journey, we build a stimulating environment that is safe for ALL children to explore, learn, and have fun. We realize that consistency, security, respect and team work are essential to a child’s growth. Ultimately, it is our understanding that every child will not prosper at the same rate nor will they have the same interest. Individualized plan and goals per child will allow each child to meet his/her needs. More importantly, we believe that with collaboration from parents, students, staff and all stakeholders EVERY child can reach their fullest potential.
Meet Our Staffs
Sandy Tan, Executive Director (Owner)
Sandy is passionated in teaching and values education. She taught high school math for over five years. She work with students one-on-one and in small groups. Sandy is very observant. She is able to differentiate her lessons to meet individual student's needs.
After having two children, Sandy has developed her love in working with young children. She decided to go back to school and study Early Childhood Education. Through her personal experiences in searching for a quality childcare center, that is when she decided to open her own center. Sandy is commited in making her childcare center a warm place for young children to grow, learn, and flourish. She believe all children can learn if the evironment is developmentally appropriate for the child.
Sandy holds a Master's Degree in Secondary Education from Quincy University and a Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from University of Illinois at Chicago.
Ms. Mykhanh, Lead Teacher (BlueDino Room)
Ms. Angelica, Assistant Teacher (BlueDino Room)
Ms. Shikira, Lead Teacher (RedButterfly Room)
Ms. Stephany, Assistant Teacher (RedButterfly Room)
Ms. Darina, Lead Teacher (Sunshine Room)
Ms. Darina is the Sunshine room lead teacher for our two-year-old classroom. Most of her students refer to her as Ms.D. Ms. Darina received her Associate of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from City Colleges of Chicago. She is pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education at National Louis University. Ms.Darina has been working with us since November of 2018 and has worked with children ages 2-12 years old.
Ms.Darina has always loved working with children, but her love for teaching emerged during her junior year of high school, where she worked with diverse learners creating lesson plans and activities to accommodate the needs of each child. From that moment on, she knew that she loved teaching, and that was what she wanted to do as far as a profession.
She believes that teaching is about creating a bond with the children that encourages them to love and be eager to learn while still reaching their developmental milestones.Ms.Darina thinks that with a well-balanced, creative curriculum that focuses on areas of play, reading, writing, math, and science, the students will be able to be engaged while still learning. Ms.Darina also understands that all children learn differently, and she works hard to accommodate the needs of each student. More than anything, her goal is to make sure the students and family feel welcomed and safe in her classroom.
When Ms.Darina isn't working, she is studying for her night classes or enjoying the outdoors
with her family and friends.