Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten

Where children are known, loved, challenged and inspired for the future.

We believe that children learn best in a nurturing environment focused on whole child development.

• Our teachers cherish each student’s unique personality and interests, and they are skilled at designing activities to engage children’s innate curiosity about the world. Our faculty extend and differentiate curriculum to allow children to develop at their own pace as they make connections between their lived experiences and larger academic concepts. 

We know that children must feel connected with the adults in their environment in order to develop to their fullest potential.

• We understand that the partnership between home and school is fundamental to these early years of wonder and exploration and our teachers work to develop positive and strong relationships with all families.

We promote meaningful connections in a community grounded by our faith and core values of respect, responsibility and compassion.

• Our teachers model empathy and respect and take a positive approach to discipline.
• We provide explicit instruction for our youngest students in social emotional learning, self-regulation, friendship and prosocial skills. Our mornings begin with practice daily devotions and breathing techniques as part of our focus on mindfulness. We work to create an environment that provides children with independence along with responsibility by involving children in the care of classroom materials and through specific classroom jobs. We also promote children’s understanding of topics of identity, diversity, justice and activism on a developmentally appropriate level.

We believe that children learn best through natural, play-based, hands-on experiences.

• Our goal is to provide an educational experience for each child that fosters a passion for discovery and exploration and guides them on a path to lifelong learning. Beyond active engagement in their classroom, students in the primary school are introduced to age-appropriate experiences in our STEM lab, library, music room, gymnasium, Spanish and religion classes, and our 125 acre outdoor campus. Teachers promote fine motor development through tinkering, sensory exploration, and the introduction of the Handwriting Without Tears program to support early handwriting skills. In Pre-kindergarten, students will also develop a love of reading through the Happily Ever After literacy program, and explore foundational math concepts through the PreK Developing Roots math program. 

We feel strongly about the benefits of outdoor education for the cognitive, social-emotional, language and physical development of young children.

• Our preschool and pre-Kindergarten students spend time every day outdoors, regardless of the weather. In fact we often find that rainy days provide some of our most magical experiences. You will find our youngest learners climbing trees, splashing in the creek, exploring in the outdoor mud kitchen, playing imaginary games, building obstacle courses, measuring and pouring liquids, using hammers and nails, and partaking in real life skills within nature. Students put what they learn about science into practice as they turn over stumps to observe insects, or work to identify plants or animals. These outdoor experiences increase children’s physical strength and self confidence and provide opportunities for practicing problem solving, teamwork and cooperation.

We help students realize their potential for good as citizens of local and world communities.

• This mission begins even with our youngest students as they learn to engage with the environment in deep and meaningful ways, using all of their senses. We feel certain that this unstructured time immersed in nature in early childhood will ultimately enable them to become more committed and sophisticated caretakers and citizens of the world.

Why Outdoor Education?

What are the benefits of outdoor play?

1. It invites children to learn science

2. It creates opportunities for social interaction and collaboration

3. It promotes physical health

4. It invites new contexts for learning

5. It promotes better sleep

6. It gives children a chance to take appropriate risks

7. It may lead to better learning outcomes once children return to other activities

8. It supports STEM skills

9. It anchors children to the real world

From Kinser, Kathy. HomeResources / Publications / Young Children / May 2019 / Rocking and Rolling. Fresh Air, Fun, and Exploration: Why Outdoor Play Is Essential for Healthy Development

https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/yc/may2019/outdoor-play-is-essential

Preschool (Five or Three Day Options Available)

Pre-Kindergarten (Five Full or Half Day Options Available)

Full-day Program:  8:30am to 3:30pm

 Half-day Program:  8:30am to 1:00 pm

Sample Daily Schedule:

Preschool 3 full or half days; 5 full or half days

Pre-K 5 full or half days

Full Day: 8:30-3:30    Half Day 8:30-1:00

Welcome, Tabletop Learning Centers & Morning Meeting/Devotions

Outdoor Exploration/Learning Time (approx. 2 hours)

Snack

Circle Time (stories, singing, early- learning activities)

Related arts classes including STEM, Spanish, Religion, Chapel, Music, Movement and Wellness and Library