Infants (birth to 1 year)
Infants, as many people know, follow their own schedules and need tailored care on demand. Teachers work closely with families to mirror home routines and celebrate milestones together. Even with on-demand schedules, teachers thoughtfully promote motor skill development and early communication through sign language, music, and books. Monthly developmental tracking helps identify concerns early, and with parental permission, referrals can be made to Birth to Three Resource Program for in-class support — no time off needed for families.
Toddlers (1 to 3 years)
At this stage, routines become more structured, independence blossoms, and learning happens through play. Teachers support self-help skills like dressing, encourage imaginative play, and guide early literacy through circle time and free exploration. Art becomes more expressive, and assessments advance at age two for colors, shapes, letters, and numbers. Social skills grow from parallel to interactive play, facilitated by deliberate and age-appropriate classrooms.
Preschool (3 to 4 years)
Play-based learning continues but gains academic focus to prepare for kindergarten. Circle time includes days of the week, letters, and name recognition. Art becomes more detailed, and science and sensory activities build curiosity. Children learn problem-solving, sharing, and communication through structured activities. At this age, teachers track academic and social-emotional growth regularly and partner with families and local school districts when additional support is needed.
Head Start (3 to 4 years)
Doorway to Learning partners with Family & Child Learning Centers to offer Head Start for income-eligible 3–4-year-olds. The program runs Monday–Thursday following the school district calendar, with year-round wraparound care available. This federally funded program supports school readiness, provides extensive family and health services, and ensures staff meet Head Start qualifications. Dual funding streams support both education and care access for families enrolled in this offering.
Social Emotional Intelligence Programming
Our Emotional Intelligence Coordinator partners with teachers and families to support children who struggle with sensory overload, emotional dysregulation, or interpreting social cues—often mislabeled as wild or problematic, when in fact they are facing developmental challenges. Using a custom data collection and scoring system, children receive personalized interventions based on their needs: Those with lower scores (indicating higher needs) receive targeted one-on-one support, while higher-scoring children engage in peer group activities that foster empathy, cooperation, and emotional control. The program addresses sensory regulation, emotional intelligence, neuroception, and interoceptive awareness to help children manage their environment, reduce stress, and stay engaged in learning.
Summer Camp
Our Egg Harbor Road campus offers a fun and educational summer camp for 60 school-age children. Weekly field trips include visits to local attractions like Cana Island, The Ridges, the Maritime Museum and more.
After School
Currently serving 17 children, this program provides snacks, homework help, and playtime. We plan to expand and add a morning before school option in the future.
Meals
Doorway to Learning serves nutritious breakfasts, lunches, and snacks, supported by a publicly funded program, ensuring balanced meals and helping reduce food insecurity.
Special Literacy Programs
Volunteers from the Bookworms program and Ms. Beth from the Door County Library visit monthly to read to students ages 2–4. Bookworms also gift each child a copy of the featured book to take home and read with their families to encourage literacy development in and out of the center.
YoungStar
We’re licensed by the Department of Children & Family and working toward the highest credentialed rating of a 5-star YoungStar by mid-2025. This rating assesses classroom materials, teacher engagement, and program quality through detailed checklists and classroom observations.