Early Learning Curriculum in Indianapolis, Indiana
Building a Strong Foundation for Learning From Infancy Through Pre-K
At Education Depot, childcare is about more than providing a safe and nurturing place for children while their families are at work. We believe the early years are an important opportunity to encourage curiosity, build confidence and develop the foundational skills children will carry with them into school and beyond.
That’s why Education Depot implements the Early Learning Matters (ELM) Curriculum, a comprehensive, evidence-informed early learning curriculum developed by Purdue University for children from birth through five years of age.
Through intentional activities, purposeful play and responsive teaching, ELM helps our teachers provide meaningful learning experiences that support each stage of a child’s development.
The Early Learning Matters (ELM) Curriculum is an evidence-informed early childhood curriculum developed by Purdue University.
ELM provides developmentally sequenced learning experiences across 50 weeks, giving early childhood educators a structured framework while allowing teachers to adapt activities to the individual abilities, interests and developmental needs of the children in their classroom.
Rather than separating “learning” and “play,” ELM incorporates active learning, guided play, exploration, conversation and age-appropriate activities to help children develop important skills naturally.
For families at Education Depot, that means your child’s day includes more than activities designed simply to keep little hands busy. Learning experiences are selected and adapted with developmental goals in mind.
Learning That Grows With Your Child
hildren change tremendously between infancy and kindergarten. Their learning experiences should grow with them.
ELM is designed to support children from birth through age five, allowing Education Depot to build upon developing skills as children move through our early childhood programs.
Infants: Building the Earliest Foundations
During infancy, everyday interactions can become meaningful learning opportunities. ELM supports development through responsive, age-appropriate experiences that encourage early communication, cognitive development, physical development, self-regulation and social-emotional growth.
At Education Depot, these learning experiences complement the nurturing, individualized care babies need during their earliest months.
Explore Infant Care →
Pre-Toddlers: Exploring, Communicating & Growing
Between 12 and 24 months, children are rapidly developing language, mobility, curiosity and independence.
ELM provides opportunities for children to strengthen communication, cognitive, physical and social-emotional skills through exploration, interaction and developmentally appropriate activities.
Our teachers can adapt learning experiences based on each child’s emerging abilities, providing additional support or challenge as children grow.
Explore Pre-Toddler Care →
Toddlers: Learning Through Exploration
Toddlers learn by doing.
Purposeful play, movement, communication and hands-on exploration help children begin making connections about themselves and the world around them.
Through ELM and Education Depot’s educational approach, toddlers have opportunities to develop language, problem-solving, motor skills, self-regulation, independence and positive social interactions while still having plenty of room to explore and play.
Explore Our Toddler Program →
Preschool: Expanding Early Academic & Developmental Skills
As children enter the preschool years, ELM expands learning across eight developmental and academic areas.
Preschool learning experiences help build foundations in language and literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, creative expression, physical development, self-regulation and social-emotional development.
Activities are designed to be intentional while remaining engaging and developmentally appropriate for young learners.
At Education Depot, this helps children strengthen the academic, social and emotional skills that prepare them for the transition into Pre-K and eventually kindergarten.
Explore Preschool →
Pre-K: Preparing for Kindergarten & Beyond
Kindergarten readiness involves more than knowing letters and numbers.
Children also benefit from developing communication skills, independence, curiosity, self-regulation, problem-solving abilities and confidence in a classroom environment.
ELM provides structured learning opportunities across important developmental areas while allowing teachers to respond to each child's abilities and progress.
Combined with Education Depot’s hands-on approach to early childhood education, our Pre-K program helps children build a well-rounded foundation as they prepare for their next educational chapter.
Explore Our Pre-K Program →
Intentional Learning Through Purposeful Play
Young children learn differently than older students, which is why early childhood education shouldn’t simply look like a smaller version of an elementary school classroom.
ELM emphasizes active learning and guided play alongside intentional teacher-led experiences.
Activities have specific developmental goals, but teachers have flexibility in how they introduce and adapt them. Children can explore, ask questions, practice emerging skills, interact with classmates and build confidence while participating in experiences appropriate for their age and development.
This balance allows children to experience something incredibly important:
Learning can be fun.
Meeting Children Where They Are
Children don’t all develop the same skills at exactly the same time.
One of the strengths of the ELM Curriculum is its emphasis on responsive and individualized learning. Activity plans include strategies that allow teachers to provide additional support when a child needs it or introduce additional challenges when a child is ready.
ELM also includes tools for observing children’s progress so educators can use what they learn about each child to help guide future learning experiences.
At Education Depot, we believe this approach supports an environment where children can continue progressing without expecting every child in a classroom to learn in exactly the same way.
More Than Daycare: An Educational Foundation
Families need childcare they can trust, but they shouldn’t have to choose between quality care and meaningful early learning.
Education Depot combines a safe, nurturing childcare environment with intentional educational experiences designed to support children’s development from infancy through Pre-K.
Our implementation of the Early Learning Matters Curriculum strengthens the educational focus that has always been central to Education Depot.
From an infant’s earliest interactions to a Pre-K student’s preparation for kindergarten, our goal is to help children:
- Develop a positive relationship with learning
- Strengthen communication and language skills
- Explore early literacy, mathematics and other academic concepts
- Practice problem-solving and critical thinking
- Develop healthy social-emotional skills
- Build self-regulation and independence
- Strengthen fine and gross motor skills
- Explore creativity and curiosity
- Gain confidence as learners
Families can find Education Depot early childhood programs at our West Indianapolis and East Indianapolis childcare centers.
Early Learning Curriculum FAQs
What curriculum does Education Depot use?
Education Depot implements the Early Learning Matters (ELM) Curriculum, an evidence-informed early childhood curriculum developed by Purdue University. ELM provides developmentally sequenced learning activities and resources designed to support children’s learning and development from birth through five years of age.
What ages is the ELM Curriculum designed for?
The Early Learning Matters Curriculum is designed for children from birth through age five. Education Depot incorporates ELM into our early childhood programs, including infant, pre-toddler, toddler, preschool and Pre-K care.
What does the ELM Curriculum teach?
For infants and toddlers, ELM supports development across five broad areas, including communication and language, cognitive development, physical and health development, self-regulation and social-emotional development.
For preschool-age children, learning expands across eight areas, including language and literacy, mathematics, science, social studies, creative expression, physical and health development, self-regulation and social-emotional development.
Is ELM a play-based curriculum?
ELM incorporates active learning and guided play as important parts of children’s learning experiences. Activities are intentional and designed around developmental goals while giving children opportunities to explore, interact and learn in developmentally appropriate ways.
Can the curriculum be adapted for different children?
Yes. ELM is designed to help educators respond to differences in children’s abilities and development. Activity plans include strategies for providing additional support or additional challenge, helping teachers adapt learning experiences based on the needs of the children they serve.
How does Education Depot prepare children for kindergarten?
Education Depot combines intentional early learning with hands-on experiences, purposeful play and opportunities to develop academic, social, emotional and physical skills. As children progress into Preschool and Pre-K, learning experiences increasingly support areas such as early literacy, mathematics, science, self-regulation, communication, independence and problem-solving that contribute to kindergarten readiness.
Does Education Depot offer educational daycare in Indianapolis?
Yes. Education Depot provides education-focused childcare and early learning programs at two Indianapolis locations. Programs range from infant care through Pre-K, with additional programs available for school-age children.
Families can learn more about our West Indianapolis childcare center and East Indianapolis childcare center.
How can I learn more about enrolling my child at Education Depot?
Families interested in Education Depot can explore our age-specific programs, learn more about our Indianapolis locations and contact our team with questions about availability and enrollment.