Preschool Education and Care Program
Preschool children are exploring their environment, learning new skills, and beginning to develop friendships with their classmates. To stimulate their minds and keep them busy, our daily schedule is full of activities for preschool children.
Kindergarten readiness skills are a very important component of our program. We provide activities throughout the day that prepare children for successful learning upon entering school. Preschool screening with your local school district is required for all children prior to kindergarten entrance. We encourage you to have your child screened at three years of age.
Areas of educational programming include:
Social/Emotional:
We provide an environment that teaches preschoolers values and how to become a competent and confident individual. A violence prevention curriculum “Second Step” is utilized. This curriculum helps preschoolers learn about feelings and emotions, and how to express those feelings and emotions appropriately.
Physical:
Through daily motor activities (large motor/fine motor) preschoolers learn to gain personal responsibility for their own physical needs. Preschoolers are more willing to try new and challenging tasks as they master each new skill.
Cognitive:
Children’s minds develop through their daily experiences. Imagination and creativity are critical to a preschooler’s development. This is evident through dramatic play, art, sensory, science, music, math and literacy activities.
Language:
Literacy and language activities occur within all areas of the classroom. Listening skills, spoken words, written words, and group stories provide opportunities for children to develop a richer vocabulary and become better readers. Sign language and Spanish are utilized throughout the children’s daily program activities.
Nutrition
- Meals are served “family style” which allows children to develop independence by gathering their dishes, passing serving bowls, and assisting in clean up
- Staff are participating in meal service with the children, and facilitating appropriate manners, assisting with serving/clean up, and engaging in conversation with the children
Rest/Sleeping
- Each child is provided a cot. Cots are placed directly on the floor and not stacked when in use
- Each cot is placed so there are clear ailes and unimpeded access on at least one side of each cot
- A blanket needs to be provided by parents or guardians and must fit inside your child’s cubby
- Blankets must be taken home every Friday or when needed to be washed
- No stuffed animals/dolls or pillows
- Children rest quietly on cots after lunch. If they do not fall asleep during this time, they are allowed to engage in quiet activities within the classroom
- Children who have completes a nap or rested quietly for 30 minutes are not required to stay on a cot
Self Help
- We encourage children’s independence as much as possible. This includes washing hands, dressing/undressing for outdoors, assisting with various classroom tasks, etc.
- Independent toileting is not required for a child to attend our preschool program. Staff will work together with you and your child to help them be successful
- If needed, diapers are checked regularly and changed as needed. Parents supply diapers, wipes, cream, and/or powder, parents will be notified when their child is getting low on supplies and are required to replenish them
- Diaper supplies must be labeled with the child’s first and last name
Outdoor Play
- We go outside daily weather permitting when the real feel temperature is above 0 degrees and the heat index is below 95 degrees
- Outdoor opportunities assist children in their overall development by providing exploration with all of their senses
- Large motor equipment is provided. This includes climbing structures, riding toys, and sports accessories
Personal Belongings
- Shoes are required to be worn at all times
- Appropriate clothing for weather conditions is required. This includes snow pants, boots, mittens, a hat, a coat, etc. Children are not allowed to wear scarves for safety reasons
- At least one complete set of extra clothing needs to be available in your child’s cubby
- Sandals must have backstraps
