Early Childhood: Toddlers - Prekindergarten

Parent Toddler Cooperative Program
The Children’s School Parent Toddler Cooperative program is designed to introduce young children to school and the world beyond family. Children attend classes either two or three times a week (see below) where they engage in hands-on exploration, indoor and outdoor play, and have myriad opportunities to learn about sharing, respecting others, building friendships and how to express their needs and desires. 

• A key focus of the toddler program is preparing children to separate from their parents. Our program minimizes the anxiety that separation can bring and fosters the joy and excitement of newfound independence. Children gain confidence in the classroom by sharing their experiences with a parent who initially stays with them in class. Through routines, consistency and supportive teachers, children become comfortable in their surroundings and open to separating from their parent for brief periods of time. These periods are gradually increased, developing children’s confidence and independence. In late fall, parents of children in the MWF program have one drop-off day; in winter, they have two drop-off days and one day of parent education.

• Recognizing the importance of this period in child development, our program includes a parent education component. Beginning in mid-fall, when children are ready, parents separate from their children during class to attend parent education classes in the Parent Meeting Room. Parent ed meetings cover a broad array of topics focusing on toddler growth and development, parenting issues and parenting strategies. Discussions range from potty training toddlers to how to positively redirect children’s behavior; guest speakers are occasionally invited to class to discuss particular topics.
• For more details about the toddler program, please click here. 

The Toddler Program is open to children aged 20-35 months by September 1 of the year of entry. For children 28-35 months, classes are offered Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. For children 20-27 months, classes are offered Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Preschool Program
Our preschool program builds on the social and learning skills introduced during the toddler years. Recognizing that children learn best by doing, our classrooms are rich hands-on environments where children explore activity centers and develop interests as they emerge. Children also participate in “have to” jobs (activity centers) as an introduction to the concept that some learning is essential.

• Our preschool teachers recognize that children embrace many different learning styles. They pay careful attention to the skills, knowledge and questions that each child brings to the classroom. Preschool students are introduced to letters, numbers, counting, music and writing using a variety of materials, subjects, and approaches.
• Recognizing that preschool is a time of enormous social development, our teachers work to support each child’s social growth through the school’s social curriculum. Through this program, children learn how to confidently and independently solve problems, to respect themselves and others, and to establish social relationships.
• Preschool students spend their days both inside and outside the classroom. Inside learning includes group or individual activity tables (such as tables set up for exploration, science investigation, art, writing, reading, mixing, cooking, dress-up). Outside play periods are generally unstructured; children are free to choose from numerous age-appropriate activities including tricycling, digging in the sand, tire swinging, sliding, climbing, or water play.
• Full-day preschool students have a scheduled nap time in the afternoon of approximately 1 1/2 hours. Children who do not nap may do quiet activities, such as looking at books, or other activities with a teacher.

Preschool classes are open to children who have reached their third birthday by Sept. 1 of the year of entry and are toilet trained. Classes meet two, three or five days a week, from 9 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for half-day students, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. for full-day students. Preschool morning drop off begins at 8:30 a.m. for both programs.

Prekindergarten Program
Our prekindergarten program advances children’s learning to new levels by giving children greater age-appropriate responsibilities and challenges. Children make connections through a hands-on curriculum that spans many subjects and topics of interest. Learning takes place through group projects, activity centers and “have to” jobs. Each child works toward individual goals set by their teachers.

• Learning takes place inside the classroom and out, and for the first time, children move about the school to attend specialty classes in Spanish, physical education, art and music.
• Prekindergarten students have a 45-minute rest period, “peaceful time”.

Prekindergarten classes are open to students who have reached their fourth birthday by Sept. 1 of the year of entry. Classes are Monday through-Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.