Preschool Open Registration is March 19, 2011 at 8:30 a.m. Doors will open at 8:00 a.m. for parents to complete paperwork. At 8:30 a.m. the registration process begins with a lottery in which names will be drawn at random to register. Parent must be present during the lottery.

Preschool Programs
Young children learn most effectively when they are engaged in an environment where teacher-child, child-child, and child-material interactions are all at high levels. Learning is seen as an active process where knowledge is constructed as well as acquired. Young children should be doing what best serves their development in the long term.

The curriculum and instructional strategies are based on developmentally appropriate practice for young children. These strategies provide a balance of child-initiated and teacher-initiated activities, which enhances the social, emotional, physical and intellectual development of each child. The curriculum is based upon emerging abilities in young children and is responsive to the differences in their levels of development.

The staff believes in a warm, nurturing environment that provides children physical and psychological safety. Teachers and parents working as a team provide the learning experiences and models, fostering positive attitudes and dispositions toward learning.

Three and Four Year Olds
Preschool classes for 3 and 4 year olds provide "hands-on" experiences such as:

• Art exploration

• Music and movement

• Science and nature study

• Oral language development

• Alphabetic principles

• Counting and number recognition

• Large and small muscle development

• Shared reading and writing

Children are encouraged to develop positive social habits such as:

• Sharing

• Good manners

• Self Control

• Recognizing the rights of others

• Learning to adapt to group situations

• Making new friends

Preschool classes are taught by certified teachers with an assistant. Parents are welcome to work in the classroom.

Classes are limited to 18 children in 4-year old classes and 16 in the 3-year old class.

Five Year Olds
The Pre-kindergarten class is geared to meet the needs of the "Young Fives" population, children who are old enough to go to kindergarten but need another year to develop. The class is limited to 18 children and meets four days per week for 2 1/2 hours per day.

Parent-Tot
In Parent-Tot classes, for children 2 to 3 1/2, parents and children learn to explore the beauty of art, the joy of story telling, positive socialization and healthy physical activities all led by an experienced teacher. Classes are limited to 12 children.