Curriculum

At Marine Drive Childcare, we are committed to delivering a high-quality early childhood education program that nurtures the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of every child in our care. To support this mission, we have adopted the Lillio FunShine Curriculum with our own touches to it. Our curriculum is a comprehensive, research-based framework designed for children from birth through kindergarten. Rooted in best practices and early learning research, this curriculum is child-centered, developmentally appropriate, play-based, and flexible, enabling us to create responsive learning experiences that reflect the unique needs, interests, and abilities of each child.

A key strength of the Lillio FunShine Curriculum is its focus on natural development. The curriculum integrates core content areas—language and literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, social-emotional learning, physical development and health, and the creative arts all while the child is playing, by creating daily hands-on activities that promote curiosity, exploration, and critical thinking. These experiences are aligned with the Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines, ensuring that all domains of early learning are addressed, including approaches to learning, social-emotional development, and physical well-being.

We place a strong emphasis on outdoor learning, taking lessons outside as often as possible to encourage children to engage with nature and develop a sense of wonder and discovery through active play. To support meaningful implementation, our educators engage in intentional lesson planning, cultivate inclusive and supportive classroom environments, and maintain open communication with families. We use various assessment methods, including ongoing observations, portfolios of children’s work, and standardized tools when appropriate, to monitor growth and guide instruction.

We are also excited to partner with Procare, a digital platform that allows us to share daily activities, photos, and updates with families in real time. This strengthens our home-school connection and ensures parents are active participants in their child’s learning journey.

Our team of dedicated educators participates in ongoing professional development to remain informed about current best practices in early childhood education and to continuously refine their teaching approaches. Each year, our curriculum policy is reviewed and revised to ensure it remains aligned with our program’s vision, values, and goals.

Through the thoughtful implementation of Curriculum and our commitment to family partnerships, Marine Drive Childcare is proud to foster a warm, enriching environment where every child is empowered to grow, learn, and thrive.