Eagles Wing

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Philosophy

Eagle’s Wing programs emphasize child-initiated learning within a culturally diverse community.Our programs nurture and support the development of children throughout the day by providing:

  • Developmentally appropriate activities
  • Respect for each child’s culture and background
  • A program that addresses each child’s need for fun, creativity, active play, communication skills, problem-solving and decision-making skills, cognitive growth, social interaction, rest, and nutrition
  • An opportunity for family members to be actively involved in the center
  • A focus on anti-bias and peace education.

We recognize children as individuals and support each child in his or her unique developmental needs. At the same time, as part of a culturally diverse classroom in which mutual respect and understanding are emphasized, children at Eagle’s Wing are also encouraged to value teamwork, interdependence, and group harmony.

For the enrollment of children and the employment of staff, Eagle’s Wing does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sex, HIV status, national origin or ancestry, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, parental status, military status, or veteran status. We ensure equal rights for all children, families, and staff. The University of Wisconsin–Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Eagle's Wing Curriculum Guide (PDF)

Anti-Bias Education

We are all members of a quickly changing, vastly diverse society. We are seeing that even the most homogeneous communities are becoming more diverse. We have the responsibility to help prepare our children for this diversity. If they are to successfully function in their future society, they will need to develop the skills and strategies that will afford them this success.

Eagle’s Wing embraces the diverse community to which we belong, and is committed to supporting it in its diversity. We have a strong commitment to multi-cultural, anti-bias care and education that promotes respect for all people regardless of differences in race, culture, sexual orientation, language, socioeconomic level, age, health, physical and mental ability, religion, political views or family structure. As part of our educational philosophy of respecting each child’s culture and background, we have the wonderful opportunity to not only affirm children’s identities, but also to further explore and celebrate a wide variety of cultural, racial, and ethnic differences. We also recognize that not all families consist of only, or primarily, fathers and mothers. We respect all families and embrace family diversity. Gender equity and sensitivity are important values we try to put into practice. We actively work to promote prejudice reduction, and to provide a nurturing, safe, inclusive environment for all children and their families.

Respect is more than simply not tolerating name calling, intimidation, or exclusionary tactics. It is openly discussing and addressing issues that arise spontaneously in the classrooms or on the playground. If attacks of discrimination occur, and we just let them go by, then of course, the child who is overweight or Jewish or short or who has gay or lesbian parents, for example, is devalued little by little. In addition, the witnesses to this act are once again desensitized to the small acts of cruelty that can mount over time and ultimately create biased attitudes in adulthood.

We try not to infringe on anyone’s privately-held viewpoints, but in a public setting, the law and common decency provide for each child to have a nurturing and equitable education. The Anti-Bias Curriculum by Louise Derman Sparks is a cornerstone of our daily interactions in the classrooms. For more information, please speak with the Manager of Children’s Services.

Guidance Philosophy

The guidance philosophy at Eagle’s Wing is intended to nurture children as they work toward independence and responsibility; it encourages and supports them in developing their problem-solving abilities; and it promotes self-esteem, while instilling sincere respect for the rights of others. The philosophy is implemented in a variety of ways:

  • Problem-solving with the children
  • The modeling of appropriate behavior by teachers
  • The clear setting of reasonable, developmentally appropriate limits
  • The redirection of children’s behavior

The Eagle’s Wing staff is trained in the guidance philosophy during their orientation. Training includes an explanation of those practices which are prohibited at Eagle’s Wing, including, but not limited to:

  • Any form of physical punishment, including restraint or other corporal punishment
  • Any form of emotional punishment, including embarrassing, derogatory, or frightening remarks
  • Withholding of food
  • The use of “time-outs”

Handbook

For more complete information on Eagle's Wing philosophies, policies, and program information, please download our handbook (available in PDF format).