Early Childhood

Early Childhood (EC) Program

Ages 3 – 6 years
Monday through Thursday or Monday through Friday
8:30 or 8:45am – 11:30 or 11:45am, depending upon class assignment

This three-year program allows the child to focus upon ordering their environment and to become familiar with academic concepts through concrete manipulation of the finely crafted didactic materials. This results in a love of learning which prepares the child for a lifetime of education. The typical Early Childhood graduate is fully prepared to move onto our Elementary program.

EC + Elementary Prep Program

Ages 3 – 6 years
Monday through Thursday or Monday through Friday
8:45 or 8:30am – 2:30 or 2:45pm, depending on class assignment

We offer this program to children who are no longer napping and ready socially and emotionally for a longer day and the challenges of a full day in school. Students participate in a typical morning Early Childhood class. In the afternoon, emphasis is placed on lunch etiquette, practical life, care of self and environment and independence. Following lunch students spend about an hour outside in unstructured activities with peers allowing for guided social development. Students return to class ready for an afternoon work period.

What is Elementary Prep?

Elementary Prep is the afternoon portion of our early childhood classes. After the morning work period, lunch and outside time, students return to class for a lesson in any of a broad range of topics from ordering materials by size to researching the poisonous frogs of the Amazon rainforest. Teachers present the lesson toward the mid-level of the class then offer follow-up activities at each student’s own level. A 3-year-old might complete a frog puzzle, a 4-year-old might trace and color pictures of a variety of frogs, while the 5- and 6-year-olds could research frog species, write a short report on their findings and draw a picture to go with it. This part of the day is for children to practice their academic skills in preparation for our elementary class. Typically, with consistent attendance, Elementary Prep students emerge with a 1st or 2nd grade level understanding of the subjects on the KSAT.