Pre-K, four to five: the skills and habits your child needs for a strong start.
What your child will learn
- Writing their first and last name on their own
- Recognizing and writing uppercase and lowercase letters
- Matching letters to their sounds and reading up to 20 sight words
- Beginning to read simple early reader books
- Counting, recognizing and writing numbers 1 to 20
- Adding and subtracting with hands-on materials
- Naming shapes and colors and following two- and three-step directions
- Speaking up for what they need and asking for help
What your child will practice
- Managing their time, with timed rotations through the learning centers
- Finishing their work and moving on with the group
- Listening to a teacher and following directions
- Writing, counting and working in small groups
- Taking care of themselves through a full school day
Still learning through the arts
Art, music and play remain at the center of your child’s day. Cutting, gluing, drawing and painting build the hand control your child needs for writing, and songs and rhythm build listening, memory and following directions. Pre-K adds more structure and more responsibility, so the move to kindergarten feels familiar.
A day in Pre-K
- Arrival and free play
- Breakfast
- Fine motor and math
- Circle time
- Indoor and outdoor play
- Lunch
- Nap time
- Afternoon snack
- Arts and crafts
- Free play, music and pickup
How you will follow your child’s progress
You receive an assessment of your child’s progress in the fall, winter and spring, and you meet with their teacher after each one. Before kindergarten, your child’s teacher shares a kindergarten readiness checklist with you and prepares information for you to pass on to your child’s new teacher.
Graduation
Each June, your family joins us for your child’s graduation from Pre-K. The class learns special songs with their teachers to perform for you, and every child receives a diploma along with awards and certificates celebrating their growth and achievements over the year. After the ceremony, everyone stays for treats, refreshments and music.
After Pre-K
Your child can stay with us once kindergarten begins, with before and after school care in our school-age classroom.
Starting Pre-K
Pre-K is for four- and five-year-olds who will start kindergarten the following school year. Your child is welcome whether they are new to our school or joining from our preschool classroom. Their teacher introduces the classroom and the routine and keeps you updated on how the first weeks are going.
Come see our Pre-K classroom
Visit during the day, meet the teacher and ask about the year ahead.