Raised in mother-led households, our founders knew firsthand the struggles that accompany single parenting. In 2005 the Watsons began The Restoration House, a nonprofit focused on walking alongside low income mother-led households. As the nonprofit grew, the need for excellent & affordable early childhood education became glaringly evident. Knowing Knox County has many census tracts that are considered childcare deserts, The Restoration House birthed a daughter nonprofit in Olive Tree Early Learning Academy to begin filling the gap in early childhood education in their community. Olive Tree opened its doors in early September of 2023 with capacity to serve 60 families.
Restoration: We value God’s desire for the complete restoration of all people.
Community: We value community, as demonstrated in God’s nature, life is less than what it could or should be when life is lived alone.
Reciprocity: We value reciprocity, because everyone should have the chance to work for their future.
Dignity: We value dignity, because being created in the image of God all are deserving of dignity.
Collaboration: We value partnership and cooperation over duplication and competition.
At Olive Tree Early Learning Academy, we believe that every child is a unique individual who deserves a safe, nurturing, and stimulating environment in which to grow and learn. Our philosophy is rooted in a whole-child approach that addresses the cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and creative development of each child. We are dedicated to creating a supportive community where children, families, and educators collaborate to foster a lifelong love of learning.
Recognizing the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), our trauma-responsive approach provides a safe and supportive environment where children can heal and grow. We employ strategies such as Conscious Discipline to help children develop self-regulation, emotional resilience, and positive relationships.
Olive Tree is committed to creating an inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and promotes equity. We strive to ensure that every child, regardless of their background or abilities, has access to high-quality early education. This includes supporting dual-language learners and children with special needs in inclusive settings.
We believe that parents and families are essential partners in the educational process. Our programs extend beyond the classroom to provide comprehensive support to families, including parent education workshops, family advocacy, and resources that empower parents to be active participants in their child’s development.
Building a strong, supportive community is at the heart of our mission. We collaborate with local organizations such as Harmony Family Center, the United Way’s East Tennessee Collaborative, and The Restoration House to offer a holistic support system that addresses the needs of both children and their families.
Our educators are the cornerstone of our programs. We invest in their continuous professional development through on-site coaching and training sessions focused on early childhood education, trauma-responsive care, and innovative teaching strategies. Our goal is to ensure that our staff is well-equipped to provide the highest quality care and education.
Our curriculum is grounded in the latest research and best practices in early childhood education. We utilize Creative Curriculum® and its suite of tools, including ReadyRosie®, and Teaching Strategies GOLD® assessments, to create engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences that promote exploration, discovery, and critical thinking.
We understand that learning is interconnected and that children thrive when their physical, emotional, social, and cognitive needs are met. Our programs are designed to support all aspects of a child’s development, ensuring they receive a balanced and comprehensive early education.
Olive Tree maintains a low teacher-child ratio of 1 teacher to 4-7 students in each classroom. research strongly supports the importance of maintaining low teacher-child ratios in early childhood settings to promote optimal development and well-being for young children.
Low teacher-child ratios are crucial for several reasons, contributing to better educational outcomes and overall well-being for children. Here are some key benefits:
Overall, low teacher-child ratios are fundamental in providing high-quality education and care, supporting the developmental needs of children, and creating a positive and effective learning atmosphere.
At Olive Tree we used both Creative Curriculum for Infant, Toddlers, Twos and Preschoolers.
The Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers & Twos is a research-based curriculum that helps teachers and caregivers plan learning experiences for young children. It’s designed to support the unique needs of infants, toddlers, and twos, and to help them develop and learn in all areas. The curriculum incorporates learning activities into daily routines and provides intentional support for caregivers. The curriculum helps children learn to trust and explore their surroundings, making discoveries and developing a sense of themselves as competent learners and caring human beings.
The curriculum includes three volumes that describe the curriculum foundation, routines and experiences, and objectives for development and learning. It also includes additional resources, such as activity cards, songs and rhymes, and books. The curriculum includes developmentally appropriate goals and objectives for children within all areas of their development and learning: social/emotional, physical, cognitive, language, literacy, and math.
The Creative Curriculum for Preschool empowers children to be confident, creative, and caring learners through play-based, hands-on investigations—a research-based approach that incorporates language, literacy, and mathematics throughout the day.
Differentiated instruction ensures all children leave ready to learn and thrive at kindergarten and in life. At Olive Tree we are committed to be the place where children grow to love Learning.
Conscious Discipline is an evidence-based trauma-informed social-emotional learning program designed to transform classrooms and other environments into communities where children and adults learn to regulate emotions, solve problems, and build meaningful relationships. Created by Dr. Becky Bailey, it integrates social-emotional learning, discipline, and self-regulation. The program emphasizes the development of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Key components include the Seven Powers for Conscious Adults, which focuses on changing perceptions and managing emotions, and the Seven Skills of Discipline, which provides practical strategies for teaching conflict resolution, communication, and empathy.
Olive Tree Early Learning Academy is a trauma responsive educational environment. Early childhood trauma is high on the list of social determinants impacting children’s health and future. According to a 2011 study in Journal of Traumatic Stress, 26% of children will witness or experience a traumatic event by age 4.
At Olive Tree, all teachers and staff receive ongoing training in trauma responsive teaching practices, creating a safe, supportive and healing environment where children can develop self-regulation and emotional resilience through safe caring relationships. As a trauma responsive school we “utilize the Conscious Discipline model. Additionally, Olive Tree is partnered with Harmony Family Center who works alongside the school to train staff and provide access to therapeutic services for Olive Tree children and families.
Olive Tree provides family support through a range of services designed to strengthen and empower families includes:
By addressing both the emotional and practical needs of families, Olive Tree aims to create a supportive environment where families can thrive and overcome challenges together.
