History/Philosophy

History & Philosophy

Established in 1973 as a preschool and kindergarten, My School continues to serve children 2.8 yrs. through 8 yrs. and their families in a warm, beautifully appointed Victorian, centrally located in Dover, New Hampshire. The 2013-2014 school year marked our 40 year anniversary. This same year, Sandra Proll, founder, owner & director, “passed the torch” to Kimberlee Rolon & Diane Bellington making them the new owners of My School. Kim has taken over as director and Diane as assistant director. Today we continue to offer an early childhood environment that invites children, families, educators & the community to collaborate in a rich and stimulating learning process.

Philosophy & Inspiration

Our Reggio-Emilia inspired philosophy is based on the following set of guiding principles:

  • The child as protagonist, collaborator, and communicator
  • The teacher as partner, nurturer, guide, and researcher
  • Collaboration as the foundation of the educational system
  • The parent as partner and advocate
  • Documentation as communication

The Reggio approach also includes using the environment as a “Third Teacher” and encouraging children to wonder & speculate on unlimited topics. Topics are explored through language and math, arts, science, and physical development. Learn more about our Programs here.

Environment as Third Teacher

At My School, our environments are organized, beautiful, warm, and homelike; offering a wealth of materials and equipment designed specifically to stimulate and provoke investigation. In our explorations and studies we have recognized the importance of the environment as the “third teacher”. It is the design and use of space that encourages, communicates, and relates to children’s natural curiosity and preparedness to learn.

Outside Environment

We value our outside space as part of our learning environment. A large component of children’s healthy development requires children spend plenty of time engaging in gross motor activities. Balance, coordination, risk taking, self-control, imagination are just some of the important skills children are building as they run, jump, swing, ride, climb on our large playground. With many different areas built into our outdoor space, children can find a quiet spot to play with 1 or 2 friends or engage in large group games, smell & taste plants from our herb garden or cook up some pretend dishes in our mud kitchen, enjoy painting at the outdoor easels or participate in dramatic play on our stage area. Teachers think of our outside space as an extension of their classroom, occasionally bringing the morning’s activities outside, making our playground their classroom for the day!

Morning Group- Outside

Preparing the Herb Garden

Enhancing Our Curriculum

My School is consistently reviewing and enhancing our list of goals and curriculum objectives for our students. Our research and experience, as well as standards from the National Council, guide us in these revisions. Our standards and objectives are available to families and will be shared with you at our family meetings, as well as part of your child’s assessment and portfolio evaluation.

Additional Offerings

My School provides many opportunities for enrichment. In addition to our integrated arts program and weekly sessions with our Art Studio teacher, students engage in many cooking activities & have various opportunities to connect with the Dover community.