Preschool

The two-year-old class offers a flexible yet consistent program where children learn the life lessons of sharing, taking turns, and listening to others. These skills foster self-regulation, self-confidence, and empathy. CES teachers carefully help children build a sense of trust in new adult and peer relationships. Trusting relationships are essential for a happy and secure child.

In addition to supporting their social and emotional growth, teachers in this classroom work closely with the children to support their rapidly-developing receptive and expressive language. They also introduce the early stages of writing by allowing the children to practice creative representation. This practice happens in the art and housekeeping centers where there are a variety of materials and props. Using these tools, they can practice creating, role playing and storytelling. Mathematics instruction begins in this class, too. Children begin grouping and classifying objects using attributes such as color and texture. These lessons serve as the foundation for more advanced mathematics instruction in the preschool threes and prekindergarten classes.

Along with these classroom-based activities, the two-year-old children enjoy weekly visits from the music teacher, and engage in hands-on science activities in the preschool garden.  The outside playground offers lots of space for extending the indoor centers and allowing time for the children to use both their large and small motor skills.  Designed with a large sandbox, two playhouses, climbing equipment, riding toys, a garden and a large collection of other outdoor play equipment, the children spend a lot of time outdoors learning about the world in which they live.

Options:*

(Three - Five Day Options)

Half Day: Monday - Friday    8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Full Day: Monday - Friday    8:30 am - 3:00 pm

*Year-round options now available

The three-year-old class offers a consistent, structured program which promotes the child's positive sense of self while nurturing his or her growing independence. Skill based learning focuses on self-confidence, empathy, and the ability to share throughout daily activities. The term “teamwork” is emphasized throughout each day. CES teachers help children build a sense of trust with adults and peers.

Social and emotional skills are key elements in the growth and development of the young child. In addressing these skills on an ongoing basis helps with this age group to continue to foster receptive and expressive language. Teachers continue to pay special attention to each child's cognitive development through daily exposure to language arts (e.g., recognizing and writing letters and numbers using the Handwriting Without Tears early childhood program), attention abilities, turn-taking skills, math readiness (e.g., counting, developing one-to-one correspondence, sorting, recognizing shapes, developing spatial awareness), and inquiry-based thematic social studies and science.

We capitalize on the young child's imagination with creative art activities and hands-on learning centers.  Art projects and singing occur daily in this setting. In addition, the children receive weekly specials for art and music. Friday chapel, led by the Christ Episcopal Church Seminarian, includes songs and storytelling. The outside playground offers space for extending the indoor centers and allows time for the children to use both their large and small motor skills and learn about the world. Off-campus field trips begin at this age, building on the themes taught in the classroom.

Options:*

Half Day (MWF) 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
Full Day (MWF) 8:30 am - 3:00 pm
Half Day (Mon. - Fri.) 8:30 am - 12:00 pm

*Year-round option now available
Full Day (Mon. - Fri.) 8:30 am - 3:00 pm

The Christ Episcopal School (CES) PreKindergarten class continues instruction in handwriting, language arts, and reading readiness guided by each child’s developmental readiness and using specially designed programs such as Words Their Way and Handwriting Without Tears when appropriate. Mathematics instruction is based on the early childhood components of the Go Math! series and supports the development of conceptual skills by exploring topics such as numerals and numeration, data collection, patterns, measurement, money and time. In science and social studies, PreK children study a variety of topics:  from global cultures to their own communities, children learn about our large and diverse world. Children are given the responsibility of planting, raising and harvesting vegetables in our school's garden. A "grade-to-grade" partnership with the Christ Episcopal School Kindergarten students creates a special connection in PreK, which fosters community and creates a smooth transition for the PreKindergarten children as they move into the “Big School,” also known as Kindergarten!

The PreKindergarten class begins foreign language instruction with weekly lessons in Spanish. They continue to receive regular Music and Art instruction.  In addition to their regular morning and afternoon outdoor play time, the PreK class receives formal instruction with the CES physical education teacher once a week.

Some of the thematic units in the PreK class include exploring the tools of science such as magnets, prisms, magnifying glasses, and making observations. There are extensive studies on a wide range of plants and animals and their habitats.  Social studies units include learning how to read maps and globes, some of the symbols that represent the United States of America, and the importance of some of the most influential U.S. Presidents.

Options:*

Half Day: Monday - Friday    8:00 am - 12:00 pm
Full Day: Monday - Friday    8:00 am - 3:00 pm

*Year-round option now available