New for the 2014-2015 School Year!
Pre-Primary has a five-day option starting in the fall of 2014! Your 2-4 year old can sign up for three or five days.
Our Pre-Primary program is designed for children ages two and three. These are usually children who have not been away from home before, and who may need extra help becoming comfortable separating from their parents. The Pre-Primary program meets either 3 days (Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday) or 5 days from 8:30-3:30. It is limited to twelve children. Three, and sometimes four teachers provide support and guidance throughout the day.
The children in this class take small but regular steps toward independence. Often parents are unaware of what their children can do for themselves, and tend to jump in and “do” for them. At this age, it is very empowering to be able to put on a jacket employing the flip-method, clear a lunch plate, or successfully cut with scissors.
This is a full and busy day for a young child. The teachers make sure that the classroom materials are attractive, safe, and inviting. The children are drawn to them as well as to the daily art project. This helps ease separation anxiety for both child and parent. With a 4-1 student-teacher ratio, the teachers have the time to really get to know the children. They support, advise, and encourage them. There is a great deal of affection shared between child and adult, and this develops into trust. After the parent, the Pre-Primary teachers are these children’s first teachers. They set the standard. Our youngest students learn that teachers are kind and reliable, and they are a link to fun and exciting knowledge.
The Pre-Primary classroom is equipped with a rich collection of Montessori materials. Each child has a planned lesson one-on-one with a teacher at least once a day. Once a child has been introduced to a work, he may choose to return to it independently during the morning work time. In addition to work time, the day also includes Circle with singing and movement, story time, Show and Tell, three outside play times, two snacks as well as lunch, and the (usually) much needed nap. Teachers dim the lights, play soft music, and rub the children’s backs to help ease them into a restful sleep.
Children must be two by September 30th to enroll in this class, and, by law, cannot attend until their second birthday. Children do not need to be potty trained. The teachers will work with the family on encouraging the child to become successful transitioning out of diapers.
The teachers keep in regular contact with the parents, updating them on the day’s events. Of course, parents may call during the day if they need reassurance on how their child is doing.