PreK-3
Saplings (2.5-3.5 years) and PreK-3 (3+ years)
Children in this age group are naturally eager to explore the world around them, and our educators provide engaging, hands-on experiences that match their interests and developmental stage.
Through play, exploration, and guided discovery, our Pre-K students build the foundation for future academic learning while also developing important social, emotional, and physical skills. Each day is filled with opportunities to create, imagine, communicate, and grow—all while having fun and building confidence.
In our nurturing environment, your child will begin to develop early literacy and math skills, strengthen fine and gross motor abilities, and practice expressing thoughts and emotions. Most importantly, we nurture their growing independence and love of learning, helping them build the confidence they’ll carry with them into Pre-K 4 and beyond.
Individualized Instruction
Sproutlings staff members recognize that children develop at different levels, so our Preschool curriculum allows for individual differences – one child may be ready for early reading skills while another is still mastering the alphabet. We individualize instruction to make sure your child and every child is engaged and challenged and building on his or her skills during the year. Every child leaves the classroom well prepared for school success.
Studies
The Creative Curriculum® revolves around studies of topics that are relevant to preschool children. Children explore each study in depth, within learning centers, in hands-on activities and open-ended discussions. Much of the day is spent in child-selected activities, set up to promote specific skills and challenges. Studies are selected based on children’s interest to keep their attention. Studies can last for a month or just one week, depending on the students’ interests.
Time for Independence
We prepare your Preschooler for Kindergarten by making sure he or she can be completely independent in self-care routines. We work on making sure our students can use the bathroom, button or zip pants and jackets, and putting on shoes themselves. We help them understand how to be responsible for their belongings and how to keep track of their personal items within the classroom. We make sure they can unpack their lunch, open containers and ask for help when needed. These self-help skills are important as Preschoolers move on to Kindergarten.
Skill Development
- Social-emotional: Practicing problem-solving with support, learning classroom routines and expectations, building friendships, showing empathy, developing trust in adults and peers, building self-confidence, beginning to understand respect and kindness
- Language and Communication: Following 2–3 step directions, engaging in back-and-forth conversations, expanding vocabulary, recognizing some letters, beginning to write their name, exploring early literacy through songs and stories
- Fine Motor Skills: Strengthening pencil and crayon grip, using scissors with growing control, exploring painting and drawing with purpose, manipulating small tools and building materials
- Math Concepts: Recognizing and counting numbers through 10, sorting by size or color, exploring simple patterns, beginning to understand concepts like more/less and big/small, early exposure to basic addition through play
- Science Concepts: Exploring colors, seasons, and weather through hands-on activities, learning about healthy foods, engaging in simple cause-and-effect experiments, exploring the natural world and caring for the environment
- Music: Exploring rhythm with simple instruments, learning new songs, clapping and moving to music, participating in group music activities
- Large Motor Skills: Running, jumping, balancing, climbing, throwing and kicking balls, practicing coordinated movements and group games to develop strength and coordination
Environmentally Aware
In our PreK classes, we continue to foster a sense of community, both within our classroom and with the world outside our doors. Our PreK curriculum builds on the foundation of environmental awareness that has been fostered in our younger classroom by challenging the children to look for new ways to care for their environment. Children learn about recycling, conservation and have the opportunity to observe nature and plant life in our playground.
Cultural Experience
We help grow environmentally conscious children who have an understanding of other cultures and appreciate differences in people and communities. We not only expose children to other cultures, but let them experience as much as possible by tasting new foods, welcoming visitors to the classroom for special presentations, and practicing different customs within our classroom community.
Daily Routines
Our Pre-K 3 classrooms participate in a variety of enrichment activities, including music, Stretch-n-Grow, yoga, and ballet. Children also enjoy daily outdoor time on our playground (weather permitting), providing opportunities for physical activity and social interaction. These experiences extend learning beyond the classroom walls and connect students with the wider community.
Children can bring their own nut-free lunch or order meals (click here for more information).