Growing Minds
Early literacy, oral language, books, vocabulary, communication, phonological awareness, pre-writing and age-appropriate early learning experiences.
Our Curriculum
The G.R.A.D.E. Learning Framework™
Growing • Reaching • Achieving • Discovering • Exploring
The G.R.A.D.E. Learning Framework™ is Grade Club Preschool & Daycare's whole-child early learning approach, intentionally designed to help children grow with confidence, reach developmental milestones, achieve new skills, discover their abilities, and explore the world around them.
Grade Club is a private, small-group program. Every day is planned with purpose — this is intentional, developmentally appropriate early learning, not simply supervision.
Six Developmental Pillars
What we intentionally nurture every day
Each pillar is woven into daily routines, play and one-on-one interaction — adapted to every child's stage and readiness.
Reasoning & Discovery
Early math, numbers, patterns, classification, spatial thinking, STEM and science exploration, and problem-solving.
Active Bodies
Gross motor development, fine motor development, sensory integration, coordination, healthy habits and age-appropriate self-help skills.
Developing Hearts
Secure relationships, emotional literacy, self-regulation, confidence, empathy, friendship and positive social development.
Exploring Our World
Nature, community, culture, geography, sensory discovery and age-appropriate real-world exploration.
Expression & Language
Art, music, dramatic play, creative movement, communication and introductory world-language exposure.
G.R.A.D.E. Age Pathways
One framework, adapted to every stage
Activities and expectations are adapted to each child's developmental stage and individual readiness — never pushed ahead of it.
6 weeks – 12 months
G.R.A.D.E. Beginnings™
Responsive caregiving and secure attachment come first. Days are built around your baby's own rhythms with sensory exploration, language-rich narration, songs and books, tummy time, reaching, rolling, sitting, crawling, pulling up and early fine-motor practice.
Explore this pathway12 – 24 months
G.R.A.D.E. Explorers™
Emerging walkers and talkers explore with hands-on materials, simple problem-solving, music and movement, first words and picture books, and gentle routines that build confidence and independence.
Explore this pathway2 – 3 years
G.R.A.D.E. Discoverers™
Curiosity leads. Sorting and counting, sensory and science invitations, storytelling, pretend play, art and early self-help skills grow alongside friendship and self-regulation.
Explore this pathway3 – 5 years
G.R.A.D.E. Scholars™
Kindergarten readiness with depth — early literacy and pre-writing, early math and patterns, STEM exploration, creative expression, cooperation and confident communication.
Explore this pathway
A note about our infants
Infants are not in traditional classroom instruction. For our youngest learners, learning happens through responsive caregiving, secure attachment, sensory exploration, language-rich conversation, music, books, tummy time and joyful, unhurried practice of new motor skills.
The G.R.A.D.E. Learning Process
Connect → Invite → Teach → Explore → Observe → Reflect → Share
A repeating rhythm our educators follow so learning stays responsive to the child in front of them.
Connect
Educators meet the child where they are, warmly and one-on-one.
Invite
Materials and questions are set out to spark genuine curiosity.
Teach
A developmentally appropriate experience is introduced with intention.
Explore
Children lead the discovery at their own pace and readiness.
Observe
Educators watch for skills, interests and emerging milestones.
Reflect
Progress is considered and tomorrow's invitation is adapted.
Share
Meaningful updates and observations go home to families.
The Four-Day Learning Rhythm
Monday through Thursday, by design
Grade Club's regular care week is Monday – Thursday. Repetition, exploration and responsive interaction are intentional components of early childhood development — young children learn best when ideas return, deepen and are revisited.
Monday
Introduce
A new concept, story, sound or material is introduced gently.
Tuesday
Investigate
Children explore it hands-on — sensory, science, sorting, questions.
Wednesday
Create & Communicate
Art, music, movement, dramatic play and lots of language.
Thursday
Apply & Reflect
Skills are practiced and revisited, and progress is documented.
Expression & Language
Meet Gigi, our World Language Explorer
Gigi is Grade Club's animated World Language Explorer and the signature character of the Grade Club World Languages Academy™. She supports the Expression & Language, Exploring Our World and Growing Minds pillars through songs, movement, cultural awareness and playful curiosity — always alongside our educators, never in place of them.
General age-appropriate language exposure may occur within the core curriculum. Structured World Languages Academy™ programming is an optional premium enrichment service, separate from core tuition.
Family Communication
Brightwheel keeps you close to your child's day
Grade Club uses Brightwheel for ongoing family communication and daily operational updates. The G.R.A.D.E. Learning Framework™ determines our educational approach; Brightwheel supports documentation and communication with families.
- Meals and bottles
- Naps and rest
- Diapering and toileting
- Activities
- Learning experiences
- Developmental observations
- Photos or classroom updates when authorized
- Important reminders
Updates a family receives depend on their child's age and program. Photos and classroom updates are shared only when authorized.
Private · Small-Group · Intentional
Come see the G.R.A.D.E. Learning Framework™ in action
Tour our private, in-home program in Avondale, Arizona and see how personalized small-group early learning feels.