Philosophy
We know that preschool children learn best by doing. They need to be active thinkers and experimenters, to learn how things work, and to find out about the world around them. Preschoolers explore their worlds by using all their senses; touching, tasting, listening, smelling and seeing. They really are busy bees! We believe it is our job as teachers to provide the children with the environment and materials to enable learning by doing. We use Creative Curriculum to help with this.
By the time the children are 4-5 years old, we believe the time is right to introduce some pre-academic experiences. We use the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum to help with the fundamentals and mechanics of handwriting. We use the ZooPhonics curriculum to help with pre-reading development. Finally, we use a more formal social skills curriculum called Second Step to help the children prepare for their expanding social world.
Our most important belief is that the preschool years should be fun, and remembered with affection by children and families.
By the time the children are 4-5 years old, we believe the time is right to introduce some pre-academic experiences. We use the Handwriting Without Tears curriculum to help with the fundamentals and mechanics of handwriting. We use the ZooPhonics curriculum to help with pre-reading development. Finally, we use a more formal social skills curriculum called Second Step to help the children prepare for their expanding social world.
Our most important belief is that the preschool years should be fun, and remembered with affection by children and families.
Preschool Programs
We offer a part-day schedule (9 AM to 3 PM) or a full-day schedule (open from 7 AM to 6 PM).
For our 2-year-old and 3-year old classes, families may enroll for 5 days per week, or 2 days (Tuesday/Thursday), or 3 days (Monday/Wednesday/Friday) attendance schedules .
Our Young 4s and PreK classes are Monday through Friday only.
| Sample Daily Schedule.pdf |
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Playful Pandas Class
For 2 to 3 year old children Two teachers & twelve children daily We learn to:
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Cuddly Tigers and Bouncy Bears Classes
For 3 to 4 year old children 2 classes, one teacher & twelve children daily in each class We learn to:
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Dolphin Pals, Awesome Owls, & Friendly Otters Classes
For 4 to 5 year old children 3 classes, one teacher & twelve children daily in each class We learn to:
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Sample Daily Schedule
7:00-8:00 AM Free play 8:00 Outside play - weather permitting 9:00 Part-time children arrive, restroom, wash hands 9:30 Morning snack 9:45 Circle time (songs, helpers, stories, letters & numbers) 10:00 Art, table toys, fine motor activities, dramatic play, blocks 10:40 Outside play 11:20 Transition to classroom, restroom, wash hands 11:30 Lunch 12:15 Restroom and transition to nap 12:30 Nap/rest time 2:00 Wake up time, table activities 2:20 Afternoon snack 2:40 Closing stories, part-day children go home 3:00 Table toys, restroom 3:30 Outside play 5:00 Audio books 5:15 Wash hands, nibbles 5:30 Play time, parent pick up 6:00 PM Preschool closed |
Chapel Time at St. Clare's
Once a week, the children have Chapel time with the Chaplain of St. Clare’s Preschool. This is a 20-minute story and song time, usually held in the Church. The focus is on how much God loves us, made us, and wants us to love our neighbors too. We welcome and respect all families, from many different faith traditions, at St. Clare’s.
Once a week, the children have Chapel time with the Chaplain of St. Clare’s Preschool. This is a 20-minute story and song time, usually held in the Church. The focus is on how much God loves us, made us, and wants us to love our neighbors too. We welcome and respect all families, from many different faith traditions, at St. Clare’s.