(307) 237-1952
Discover AppleTree Early Care & Education
Where Positive Connections Are Key To Successful Learning
AppleTree Early Care & Education
~Our Vision~
To foster the holistic growth of each child in a safe nurturing, and connected learning environment.
Our Mission Statement
Meaningful, Positive, & Genuine
*To nurture a love of learning by providing opportunities for exploratory play & discovery with an emphasis on encouraging personal growth, positive relationships, and connections with nature.
*To establish an optimal learning environment that encourages self-regulation in ways that help build positive, respectful relationships with self and others.
*To create a "school family" environment by forming positive and meaningful partnerships/relationships with families promoting a foundation for academic and life success.
Call to set up a tour
307-237-1952
Monday thru Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
About Us...
AppleTree is a family owned and operated early childhood care & educational center for children birth through 6 years. We are a smaller sized center with a "home-like feel" caring for and educating children based on their individual strengths and needs. We are able to cultivate an enriching learning environment of play by focusing on the whole-child while incorporating the Conscious Discipline curriculum, Reggio influence, and the AppleTree Approach, concentrating on positive relationships between children, teachers, families, neighborhoods, and community.
Outdoor Classroom
THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS BAD WEATHER....
ONLY UNSUITABLE CLOTHING CHOICES!
At AppleTree, we feel that nature and the environment are key elements that boost curiosity, exploration, investigations, and discovery in children's growth. We spend a great deal of time in the setting of our natural outdoor classroom area- snow, rain, or shine- which encourages a love & respect for nature and the great outdoors! (AND...we do have extra outerwear in the event someone forgets.)
Music Enrichment
BEYOND E-I-E-I-O
AppleTree contracts with VIBES Fine & Performing Arts year-round to provide all children (infants thru preK) with their award winning Kindermusik program. Children are able to experience and learn about different types of instruments as well as musical basics and beyond.
Teachers at AppleTree will also expand on topics and new concepts relating to music and different genre's of music. Providing more opportunities on a daily basis to instill a love of music and the arts.
Social-Emotional Guidance & Support
"Children do not enter this world with bad intentions. They do not come to wear us out, test our patience, or push us over the edge. They come to us with a need for love, connection, and belonging."
Rebecca Eanes
AppleTree uses "Conscious Discipline" as a significant component of our guidance and support philosophy. "Conscious Discipline" is 'an emotional intelligence and classroom management system that integrates all domains of learning (social, emotional, physical, cultural, & cognitive) into one seamless curriculum. It is based on the brain state model and uses the brain's three hierarchical needs: Safety, Connection, and Problem Solving.'
Along with CD, we have created "The AppleTree Approach", which is based on building positive and meaningful relationships - whether it be child-child; teacher-child; teacher-family; or family/child/teacher-community. It operates under the premise that positive connections are the foundation for successful early childhood experiences and learning. Giving the children the appropriate 'tools' to voice their opinions, feelings, and needs; handle problem solving, conflicts, peer interactions, conversations, co- and eventually self-regulaton, responsibility, and respect of materials and others is critical for this to happen. Based on this belief, AppleTree uses a positive and proactive approach to model for and guide children most effectively and authentically.
Community Outreach
It takes a village to raise a child....
AppleTree knows how important it is for children to feel a sense of community. Not only are we a small center and consider ourselves a "school family", we incorporate opportunities to provide children's books, pantry items, non-perishable foods, back-to-school supplies, and more to the neighborhood in our "Ali's Little Library & Pantry" just outside our gates.
We are in our 30th year of collaboration with our 'conflict resolution program' by Vic Orr from The Self Help Center. We work together to help the children gain the skills to solve problems and conflicts by being assertive and learning social skills to keep ourselves and others safe & healthy.
Infant Specific
Goals Including Baby Sign Language & Infant Massage
Reggio Inspired
Children learn from each other and from their direct experience and interaction in the world. Much of their learning begins with the seed of excitement & curiosity. When a child is genuinely interested in something, their learning is meaningful to them and they are more inclined to ask questions, dig deeper, and eventually understand. The idea that children are brilliant human beings, full of knowledge and potential is the center of the approach. Their learning is child led and considered emergent, with the teacher following the children's lead as they observe and reflect the interests of the children. The environment is considered the "third teacher" and therefore, we must create and design responsive environments that are engaging and reflect as well as honor that image of the child. A Reggio inspired teacher seeks to create space that supports children in all forms of development. Children are able to utilize their executive level functioning skills, enabling their learning to go beyond just a basic thought. Reggio is not a model or a system that can be replicated because it is a way of teaching and learning that is context specific- unique to it's own cultures, children, and geographical area. "Child-led meets teacher-guided learning." Each program who claim to be 'Reggio Inspired' looks different, no two are the same, only the basic concepts are somewhat parallel.
"Nothing without joy." Louis Malaguzzi
Meet Our Team
Passion drives our team. Together, we inspire, learn, and grow.
Wendee Webb
Owner/Director
PreK Teacher
Kristi Merrell
Asst. Director/CFO
0-3 Specialist
Junia Quinn
0-3 Lead Teacher
Our Team.
Behind every child who believes in themselves, is a teacher or care-giver who believed in them first.
Our Testimonials
Word on the Street-
From our parents - past & present
Contact Us
Interested in learning more about AppleTree Early Care & Education? Please feel free to get in touch, and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible.
1147 S Walnut St, Casper, WY 82601, USA
(307) 237-1952