CURRICULUM

Our language arts curriculum builds and strengthens in word knowledge, language development, verbal expression and reasoning, social interaction and awareness. All of these are essential pre-reading skills. Children love to name and classify shapes, letters, numbers and natural forms such as shells, stones and leaves. Preschool gives children the opportunity to master specific words and concepts such as back, front, under, over, in, on, and up. Proficiency in these areas is achieved through circle time activities, finger play, story time, dramatic play, music, creative movement, free play both indoors and out and the use of specific software.

Our math curriculum exposes children to counting, numerical recognition nd reasoning, whole-part relationships, spatial relationships, and identifying and creating patterns. These skills are achieved through block-building, stringing beads, puzzle assembly, calendar activities and art activities. Manipulatives teach the children to sort, order and classify. Collecting, measuring and graphing are taught through cooking and nature activities.

The social studies curriculum is designed to open children to the world around them. We begin at the center of the child's experience -- themselves -- and spiral out to include the classroom community, the school community and the community beyond school. As we discuss, explore and experience the world, the children obtain information about themselves and their families. They mark change and growth from babyhood to the present. The children learn about difference thorough multicultural awareness and appreciation.

TEACHERS AND SPECIALISTS

Each classroom has a head teacher who is state certified and has a master's degree in early childhood education and two qualified assistant teachers. Specialists in art, music, technology, gymnastics, library and science work with all of the classes.

The role of the classroom teacher is to plan experiences for optimal cognitive development, to organize an environment rich in material resources and most importantly to help each child develop a positive self-image. The teacher has a directive role in which she defines activities for the children while helping them make their own choices. The teacher is a well-educated and caring person who respects the children's need for security while encouraging autonomy.

THE SCHEDULE

Our preschool program begins in September and ends in the middle of June

• 2's - The program for the two-year-olds is a half-day program from 8:45am to 11:45am. For this group we offer a choice of two or three mornings a week.
• 3's - The program for the three-year-olds is five mornings from 8:45am to 12:30pm.
• 4's - For children entering the four-year-old's program we offer a full day program from 8:30am to 2:30pm.