Pre-Kindergarten

Monday - Friday Half-Day Pre-Kindergarten
(For children age 4 and 5 years old in the fall)

We offer morning or afternoon Pre-K Classes for four-year-olds and five-year-olds who would benefit from the continuity of a five-day program.  Four-year-olds, who turn five in the fall (just missing the cut-off date for Kindergarten) are good candidates for Pre-K, and can then go off to Kindergarten the following year.  Some five-year-olds enjoy and benefit from another year of preschool before Kindergarten, and our Pre-K Program serves them well in all areas of their development.  Pre-K classes share similar goals with a three-day Preschool program geared to four-year-old and five-year-old children, which include increasing abilities with making transitions, working in a group, developing math concepts, learning literacy skills and experimenting with writing.  Children in our Pre-K Program participate in greater depth with our handwriting program, Handwriting Without Tears®, and also utilize the corresponding workbook.

A five-day schedule offers Pre-K children a continuity of structure and opportunities for increased exposure to curriculum areas.   Projects can be extended over time for in depth investigation and multiple opportunities to practice cognitive skills.  Five classes a week allow additional opportunities to tailor the curriculum to children’s needs.  Likewise, children tend to develop strong bonds with the group as they have ample opportunity to pursue friendships and learn skills in social interactions.  Fours and five-year-olds are beginning to function more independently than younger children, but still need practice in cooperation and group interactions.  Many projects are done with partners or in small groups where children can learn to cooperate and also become increasingly self-assured.

Although our Pre-Kindergarten is a Half-Day program, many Pre-Kindergarten families also take advantage of our Extended Day Program before and after class as well.