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The LEAP School
376 Concord Rd
Bedford, MA 01730
Uber
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Mission Statement
Mission Statement
Our Mission is to foster positive growth in children, parents and teachers through caring, supportive and mutually respectful relationships within a safe, stimulating, child-centered environment. Children, Parents and Teachers represent the three "Seeds of LEAP." Every child is seen as a unique individual with gifts. We strive to nurture and develop the emotional, social, physical, and cognitive skills of every child. The Language Enrichment Arts Program® (LEAP) encourages self-awareness, self-expression and promotes self-confidence. The LEAP faculty is dedicated to establishing supportive relationships with parents. We believe in consistent, open and honest communication. We value parent education, provide parent resources and welcome parent involvement. As educators, we are committed to the professional and personal growth of our teaching team. The LEAP School strives to lay the foundation for thoughtful, compassionate, respectful, responsible, and creative lifelong learners.
LEAP Philosophy
Early Childhood Program
The Language Enrichment Arts Program®, the LEAP School, is a non-denominational private program founded in 1985 in Lexington, Massachusetts by Robin Shapiro, MA. It is uniquely designed to support the diverse needs of toddler, preschool, and kindergarten youngsters and their families. The LEAP environment is both dynamic and nurturing. Youngsters are inspired to develop their creative and intellectual abilities while having fun! The varied curriculum offers children a range of experiences that build positive self-esteem and stimulate excitement in learning. The small class size and low child/teacher ratio enables each child to be seen as a special individual.
A Balanced Approach To Nurturing Self-esteem
Early experiences in preschool lay the foundation for future learning. A developmental approach supports the needs of young children when provided in an environment that is stable, stimulating, safe, and nurturing. Building self-esteem in young children is achieved by: understanding and respecting each child's personality and temperament; providing opportunities for self-expression; validating a child's feelings; positively reinforcing abilities and accomplishments; allowing children to progress at their own pace. Continuous commitment to communication enables children, parents, and teachers to form strong and caring relationships.
Family-centered Philosophy
LEAP's family-centered approach to early childhood education seeks out, values, and supports parent communication and input. Consistent, effective and thoughtful communication is the core of the LEAP concept. The teaching team welcomes feedback through: parent conferences, email communication, teacher and program evaluations, home visits, daily conversations, and an open door policy. Administrative staff is always available to listen and respond to a parent's concern as well as provide ongoing information regarding his/her child or the program. Teachers take great care to ease children through the morning separation/transition of leaving mom, dad, or another caretaker. The school supports parent education through seminars and a variety of resources. Special events and holiday parties bring families together and strengthen the LEAP community. The LEAP team understands the challenges of parenting and functions as a support to both parents and children.
Small Group Design
LEAP maintains small class sizes throughout the program. The staffing pattern is designed to provide a high teacher/child ratio. Individualized attention allows each child the flexibility to develop at his/her own pace. Consistency in the classroom promotes the formation of positive relationships and provides youngsters and families with stability. A predictable environment fosters self-confidence in children.
The Leap Environment
The physical environment at each LEAP School supports the child's natural tendency to play. In each classroom, different areas are clearly defined for a broad range of activities. The teachers rotate equipment in and out of their classrooms to generate new interest and excitement. The LEAP administration maintains a sizable budget for new equipment and supplies. Teachers plan their curriculum needs in advance to insure classrooms are well-stocked and organized for each day of exploration and fun!
The Creative Curriculum Is Child's Play
A typical day offers children a combination of individual and group choices. Teachers strive to maintain a balance of structured and child-directed activities. For young children, learning takes place through hands-on exploration and play. The LEAP curriculum offers a variety of sensory-based activities and projects which support the emotional, social, physical, and cognitive needs of children. The literature-based curriculum fosters literacy development and a love of books. Specific goals are set for each area of development within each developmental grouping. Movement, music, visual arts, drama, play, literature, science, cooking, and nature are all a part of a child's week. Readiness skills in pre-math, language arts, and pre-reading areas are all introduced through playful games and daily activities such as "circle time." Curriculum boards in each classroom outline daily activities and weekly themes or units. Teachers build upon each child's strengths and inspire youngsters to attempt new challenges.
Team Teaching: Dedicated To Excellence In Education
The LEAP staff is dedicated to nurturing self-esteem in young children. They are sensitive to the individual needs of families. Team teaching, ongoing in-service training seminars, and weekly supervision meetings support and challenge teachers in their development as professionals. The LEAP School offers its staff an excellent training and benefits package. Teachers are encouraged to further their growth through continuing education. They are appreciated, valued, and stimulated at LEAP. They provide children and families with extraordinary care, education, and enrichment.
Specialists Facilitate Learning And Discovery
The LEAP School integrates a wide range of specialists and programs into the classroom. In addition to the core staff, experienced teachers in the fields of science, music, movement, storytelling, dramatic arts, visual arts, gymnastics, dance, nature, and the environment join the LEAP team on a regular basis. These individuals offer a fresh new perspective to the children and teaching staff. The Massachusetts Audubon Society introduces children to different animals, their habitats, and environmental issues. Police, firefighters, doctors, mail carriers, and other community helpers lead discussions and activities on their professions. Ongoing specialist participation in the classroom enriches the entire learning experience.
Calendar
The LEAP School is open year round. The Fall/Spring session is a ten-month program running September through June. The Summer Fun Session is in operation during the months of July and August (6 weeks).
Admissions
Enrollment is handled on a first-come, first-served basis with sibling preference. In-house registration is held each year in early November for the upcoming Summer Fun and Fall/Spring sessions. Once in-house parents have made their scheduling selections, new applicants are offered available openings. Open Houses are held regularly for prospective parents. Call the main admissions office at 781-861-1026 for more details of dates and times. The director(s) are available to answer questions. The LEAP staff encourages parents to visit the program while it is in session. The LEAP School maintains an ongoing waiting list for all its programs. Parents may call anytime throughout the year to place their child(ren) on the waiting list. The LEAP School does not discriminate based upon race, religion or creed, cultural heritage, political beliefs, marital status, national origin, sexual orientation, and/or disability.
Our Locations
Bedford
The LEAP School in Bedford is conveniently located at 376 Concord Road (rt. 62) near the Concord line. This state of the art facility has been designed specially to meet the needs of Children, Parents and Teachers. The building has a large gross motor room for indoor play, spacious well equipped classrooms, professional development spaces, and a library filled with children's literature and parent resources. Adjacent to the property in the rear is a bike path that connects the school to conservation land and nature. The playground includes an outdoor classroom, climbing and riding equipment, drama and science areas, gardens, sand and water play as well as a young toddler play area. The safe and stimulating facility supports ongoing professional trainings of the faculty, parent education seminars and social gatherings, and outstanding educational opportunities for young children.
Concord
The LEAP School in Concord is located in the recently renovated Trinitarian Congregational Church at 54 Walden Street. This beautiful facility has a large gross motor room, specialist spaces and sunny classrooms. The LEAP School teachers take advantage of the Concord Center location for walking field trips into town, library and the park.
Lexington
The LEAP School in Lexington is located on the old grounds of the Greenfield Farm at 210 Marrett Road. The Lower School is located in the back building and the Upper School is in the front building, both bordering conservation land. The buildings are spacious, inviting, and surrounded by nature. There are two fenced in play yards with climbing structures, sandboxes, and picnic areas.
Sudbury
The LEAP School at Dakin Farm is located at 123 Dakin Road in Sudbury. This LEAP School is in North Sudbury close to the Concord town line. This property dates back to Colonial times. The school's spacious "big hall" is used for gross motor activities, parent and teacher trainings, and all school meetings. The school is surrounding by nature and has an expansive play yard in the back with climbing structure, and fenced in courtyard in the front.
School Year Program
School Year Program
The School Year Program runs from September through June each year. LEAP stands for Language Enrichment Arts Program and our Fall/Spring program has its foundation in a Literature based curriculum with an emphasis in the creative arts, sciences, nature and play focusing on all developmental areas. Our small consistent class sizes are taught by experienced and well educated faculty. The curriculum is well thought out, developmentally appropriate and supports the whole child. Visiting art specialists enhance the creative curriculum throughout the school year as well. Weekly parent communication vehicles support the ongoing parent/teacher relationship and collaboration. Our calendar for the School Year program consists of a 46 week session, including vacations and planning days for our faculty, spread over the 10 month session.
Summer Camp In The Arts And Nature
This fun and exciting camp experience is a 6 week session taking place in the months of July and August. The summer curriculum centers around weekly themes such as, Olympics, Carnival, Oceans, Camping, Safari, Treasure Hunters, Jungle, etc. During the week, children will have a Spirit Days such as, Green day, Hat Day, Face Painting Day, Teddy Bear Picnic, Pajama Day, etc. Children enjoy an outdoor curriculum exploring nature and cooperative games, as well as regular picnics, sing-a-longs, arts and crafts projects, sand and water play, sprinklers and a various assortment of fun sprinklers. The summer session is a wonderful way to transition your child into the school with this relaxing program focused on building community, making friends and enjoying summer fun!
Summer Camp
Camp Overview
This fun and exciting camp experience is a six week session. Summer Camp is offered at our Lexington, Bedford, and Sudbury locations. Children enjoy an outdoor curriculum exploring nature and cooperative games, as well as regular picnics, sing-a-longs, arts and crafts projects, sand and water play, and a wide variety of fun sprinklers. The summer session is a wonderful way to transition your child into the school with this relaxing program focused on building community, making friends and enjoying the summer fun!
Camp Themes
Three themes are explored throughout the six week LEAP Camp and reflect experiences that are engaging to young children. Teachers will use these themes to inspire the whole camp experience. The entire team plans together to create fun and engaging activities that build School Spirit and a strong sense of community.
Camp Events And Spirit Days
During the theme weeks, we will hold an EVENT and a SPIRIT DAY. Our goal is to build school-wide community and create a “camp-like” atmosphere for the children. Events – These weekly events range from specialists, parties, or school-wide activities. Event Days: Treasure Hunt Day, Beach Party, LEAP Olympics, Barn Babies Day, LEAP Carnival Day, and Bubble Party! Spirit Days - On a Spirit Day, the children and teachers may come to school dressed-up to reflect a theme or participate in activities with their group. These days include: Dress-up Day, Hat Day, Olympic Colors Day, Teddy Bear Picnic, Face Painting, & LEAP Shirt Day!
Scheduling And Registration For Summer Camp at LEAP
For the six week Summer Session, we run half day through full day schedules; please contact the Admissions Office for the tuition & scheduling sheet to see the offerings at your LEAP School. We will register all In-house families in November and then go to the general waiting list to offer out the remaining spaces. If you have any particular questions regarding the registration process or the Summer Camp session at LEAP, please call our Admissions Office at 781-861-1026.
Parent Testimonials
Gretchen And Chris R.
"Deciding to send my three children to the LEAP school has been one of the best child rearing decisions my husband and I have made for our family. Every faculty member at LEAP has been supportive, kind, understanding and reassuring as we have worked our way through these important developmental preschool years. The skills my children have learned at LEAP, particularly through social interaction and encouraged imaginative play, have served them well and more than sufficiently prepared them for elementary school. My children have enjoyed their time at LEAP, sometimes wishing, even in fourth grade, that their new school would be more like LEAP! We are thankful for the time each child has had at LEAP, for their unique experiences there and for the wonderful way we have always been treated."
Michele F.
“Our son attended two years of the LEAP Summer Fun program in Bedford as well as the Transitional Kindergarten class. We could not be happier with the experience we had. We found that all of the teachers really spent the time to get to know our son and our family to make his time at LEAP a success! The curriculum was both fun and educational. Our son especially enjoyed activities LEAP offered such as yoga, drama, music and science. Although we have moved onto Kindergarten this year, our son still frequently recalls his favorite classroom memories with good friends and teachers he made at LEAP!”
Andrew And Liza C.
“Having watched our three children move from LEAP into Kindergarten with ease and confidence, we can say with certainty that the LEAP program provides children unparalleled growth – emotional, physical and intellectual. The breadth of the curriculum combined with caring teachers provides a unique atmosphere where children can be themselves while learning to thrive in a school setting. They are encouraged to explore new ideas, make new friends and develop personal awareness. Without reservation, we would recommend the LEAP program to parents looking for an exceptional pre-school experience.”
Jenna And Derek S.
“We sent our children to LEAP because we believe the school offers the best overall preschool experience. We have found the administrators, teachers and enrichment specialists (science, music, drama and yoga,) to be truly top-notch. They all are experts in their field and provide an energetic and nurturing environment where each child is made to feel special and encouraged to explore and learn new things. Our children made wonderful friends in the classroom. They were happy at LEAP and well prepared to enter kindergarten with a strong foundation for the love of school and learning. Thank you for making our boys’ first school experience so special.”
Sarah And Jay K.
"All three children in our family have loved LEAP. We've been at the Bedford and Concord sites, and we give both very high marks and would recommend them to anyone. We chose LEAP for its emphasis on the social/emotional growth of children, its structured day, and its committed and outstanding teachers and staff. The teachers are highly qualified and go through a rigorous screening before they are selected to work with our children. They are able to teach to a curriculum that prepares your children for entering kindergarten, but, even more important to us, they use every moment in the classroom as a "teaching moment" to help children sort out conflicts, learn how to be friends and share, and how to negotiate with each other. They provide a structured, predictable routine for the children so that they can feel comfortable anticipating what will happen next in the day. At the same time, the teachers are very flexible: they celebrate children's different learning styles, working with us, the parents, on any challenges we might be having. One of our children has some learning differences, and the director and teachers worked carefully with us to ensure we had the proper supports in place to make his years at LEAP very successful. We really liked a couple of key features of the program; the "home visit" in the beginning of the year, when the teachers come to our home before school start to make the transition to school easy, and the "weekly notes" that come home to parents explaining what is happening in the classroom as a whole, and individually, the child. The curriculum takes shape through stories that the children read every month, which provide a theme that they then learn about through art, dramatic play, song, and movement. As parents, we saw our children's love of learning take form at an early age. They love school!"
Leslie Z.
"Originally we chose the LEAP School for our daughters because we wanted them to have a strong social experience with other boys and girls. Our family put less emphasis on academic instruction and more on social health and overall happiness. The LEAP School really strives to create a balanced classroom with respect to genders, individual needs and strengths. Not only were we satisfied with our daughters' emotional and social growth while at LEAP, but also her personal development. The LEAP School exposes children to many different ideas, activities, programs and arts. The units and instruction that were based on different children's books were so creative, engaging and truly nurtured a love for reading books for the kids--and our whole family. And how fun for the kids to practice yoga, science, music and movement with visiting specialists! We received so much more than we anticipated. The teachers were energetic, engaging, fun and always interested in my child's experiences--both in and out of the classroom. LEAP teachers are well-trained professionals with pre-school age children and curriculum, yet, they demonstrate personal warmth with children--and parents. I always found the directors, to be resourceful as issues emerged and responsive to any feedback or suggestions I had as a parent. I truly felt like it was a partnership in raising our children to be successful and happy. Though our family graduated from the LEAP School a couple years ago, I still refer to the directors for child raising issues, and am warmly received. We always drive by the LEAP School with fond feelings, great memories and feeling we are still part of the LEAP Community."
Beth And Steve H.
"We have loved our time at the LEAP School. The overall school experience has been such a positive one for our family. The nurturing and caring nature at the school built great foundations for children as they entered kindergarten. The communication with the teachers and administration is very informative and helpful as our kids grew through the years. All three of our children attended LEAP (13, 10, 4 ½), both for the school year and summer programs. We will be sad to have our time end as a LEAP School family."
Sean And Lisa O.
"Our family is now in our sixth school year at the LEAP School. We love LEAP because of its program, people, and individual attention. The program is broad and multi-faceted: drama, science, yoga, and more. Our oldest child started kindergarten with a wonderful sense of self, which allowed her to quickly adapt to life beyond preschool. The teachers and administrators are warm, approachable, and accountable for our children’s’ learning and safety. One of our favorite things about LEAP is the personal email we receive every other week with updates on our child’s activities and development. Our children are always happy to get to school each morning, which is wonderful validation of our decision to send them to LEAP."
Liz C.
"After carefully considering many options for our daughter's preschool experience, we chose the LEAP School in Bedford. We were drawn to LEAP's commitment to provide a family centered education for our little one. And boy did they deliver: we enjoyed constant communication with our daughter's teachers, we were welcomed in to her classroom at drop-off and pick-up times as well as during holiday parties and special events, and we were given multiple opportunities to get to know her classmates and their parents. Knowing that the teachers so totally understand our child, and what happens during the year...at school and at home gives me much comfort as her mom, and makes me so happy for her. Their goals and objectives for the water play are perfect, and so eloquently stated in our communication it makes me want to fill a giant bucket and have the whole family join in on some quality water play! The close relationship between home and her first school helped our daughter to develop confidence in her abilities, and a deep and, we hope, abiding love for school and for learning. Thanks LEAP!"
Genevieve And John W.
"During her three years at LEAP, our daughter grew from a young toddler who spoke few words to a confident, competent four-year-old who loves going to school. LEAP teachers know their craft and their students. This combination allows the teachers to have high standards for the children, always within a developmentally appropriate framework. LEAP teachers are entirely dedicated to making every project or activity engaging and fun. The appreciation, respect and affection between teachers and students is palpable, all of which helped our daughter take risks and learn to nurture relationships with peers as well as adults. In an age when children are lead increasingly early to curriculum that emphasizes paper and pencil exercises, we are deeply grateful for LEAP’s commitment to hands-on learning and plenty of outdoor play. We feel sure that LEAP has inspired our daughter to a path of lifetime learning, as well as laying a strong foundation for her future academic endeavors. We cannot imagine having chosen a better preschool for our daughter or our family."
Lorraine W.
Our grandson James Peter has reveled in his school experiences at the LEAP School for the past two years, ready to launch into kindergarten in the fall, ably prepared by his loving and competent teachers for the learning and new experiences that lie ahead. For James, LEAP has been an oasis of calm predictability and exciting challenges socially, academically, physically, and emotionally. He loves the rhythm of the days, the chance to play freely, to talk about books, numbers, letters and words, to tell stories and to embrace the arts, and, most importantly, to laugh a lot. He has become a yoga aficionado, often showing the adults in his life how to stretch or do the downward dog. He loves that the teachers don’t disparage boy play—boys enacting superhero scenes and acts of valor outside or during free play time. He loves the fact that there are costumes and legos and building materials. He has learned as an only child through his LEAP education the give-and-take of sharing and not always getting what you want when you think you need it, but learning to figure out alternative choices. He loves that his teachers are kind and funny and talk to him about how they figure things out for themselves when they have challenges and choices. He loves that they talk about sports and the Boston sports teams with him. We as grandparents and career educators not only love the beautiful, orderly, light, physical spaces at the LEAP school in Bedford but the astute developmental fit between the children and their educational program. LEAP does not push children into developmentally inappropriate activities but rather lets each child learn as much as he can through the rich curricular offerings he encounters. When James applied to two Boston private schools this year for the next leg of his educational journey, both schools expressed admiration (and in one case astonishment) at how well versed he was in both pre-reading and math skills. They also talked about his ease in talking to teachers and answering the questions of the admissions officer. We know that LEAP is the central reason James is so at ease sharing what he knows and how much he enjoys school. James’s two years at LEAP have been a gift for him and his family--one that we will never forget and are eternally grateful for how it will influence his educational journey forever.
K. Tyson
"LEAP School has provided a safe and joyful space for our children to learn about their world and community. At LEAP Concord, our children have found a place where they can be themselves while learning the parameters of our culture - sharing, creative problem solving, conflict resolution and even the simple ability to take a breath before they reacts to the things that are challenging for them. The teachers do a tremendous job setting the tone in the classroom. Our children developed friendships, trust for their teacher and a feeling of security at school. Finally, I just wanted to say again how exceptional to a parent Paula is as a director. She has, again, guided us through not just our children's education, but has given us the perspective we have needed as parents. LEAP has been the best decision we have made for our children, and I look forward, with some sentimentality, to our final year. Thank you for continuing to keep the best talent at LEAP. The teachers make every dollar we spend feel appropriate and justified. "
Our Faculty
Our Faculty
The LEAP School prides itself on its outstanding teaching and directing teams. Each faculty member is chosen for his/her special gifts to the field of early childhood education. The school has a lengthy interview process to insure each qualified candidate is a great match with the philosophical orientation of the school. The program has experienced great longevity of faculty members. This consistency of staffing allows the culture of the school to remain consistent and the program to constantly strive for higher levels of excellence. Teachers are supported and challenged in a variety of ways. Each member of the team meets weekly for supervision and training that is individualized to their professional level. Teachers participate in weekly staff meetings, curriculum team meeting and participate in ongoing professional development both in and outside of the school. The school values autonomy, creativity and collaboration. Teachers are dedicated, committed and feel a strong sense of purpose is executing the mission of the school. Compensation is competitive and supports the school's ability to retain and attract excellent early childhood educators.
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General Info
About Us
Admissions: 781-861-1026
Bedford Location: 781-275-2010