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Please note the age requirements for each class. There are no exceptions to the age or toilet training requirements for the Early Pre-Kindergarten classes. Children turning four years by October 15, 2010, may be considered for early entrance into the 4-Day Pre-Kindergarten class (for an explanation of this option, please see the section which follows the class list).
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Early Pre-Kindergarten |
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Early Pre-Kindergarten I (toilet training not required) Maximum 12 children per class |
Must be 3 by March 1, 2011 |
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• 2-Day Morning Class Tuesday & Thursday |
9:30am-12:00 noon $180 per month |
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Early Pre-Kindergarten II (toilet training not required) Maximum 12 children per class |
Must be 3 by Dec. 31, 2010 |
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• 2-Day Afternoon Class Tuesday & Thursday |
12:30pm-3:00pm $180 per month |
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Early Pre-Kindergarten III |
Must be 3 by Sept. 1, 2010 |
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• 2-Day Morning Class Tuesday & Thursday |
Maximum 12 children per class 9:30am-12:00 noon $140 per month |
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• 2-Day Extended Morning Class Tuesday & Thursday |
Maximum 14 children per class 9:30am-1:30pm $205 per month |
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• 3-Day Morning Class (1 Day Extended) Monday & Wednesday Friday |
Maximum 12 children per class 9:30am-12:00 noon 9:30am-1:30pm $220 per month |
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Pre-Kindergarten |
Must be 4 by Sept. 1, 2010 |
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• 3-Day Extended Morning Class Monday, Wednesday & Friday (class ends at 12:00 noon one Wednesday per month) |
Maximum 12 to 14 children per class 9:30am-1:30pm $285 per month |
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• 4-Day Afternoon Class Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday (does not meet one Wednesday per month) |
Maximum 16 children per class 12:30pm-3:00pm $225 per month |
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• 5-Day Morning Class (1 Day Extended) Monday thru Thursday Friday |
Maximum 16 children per class 9:30am-12:00 noon 9:30am-1:30pm $330 per month |
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Lunch Plus Enrichment Program Optional Program for students enrolled in the Early Pre-Kindergarten III or the 5-Day Pre-Kindergarten classes. |
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• 2-Day Optional Extension Monday & Wednesday (Begins in October. Does not meet one Wednesday per month.) |
Maximum 12 children per class 12:00 noon-1:30pm $55 per month |
Early Entrance to Pre-Kindergarten
Students who turn four years of age between September 2, 2010 and October 15, 2010 AND whose parents plan to request early entrance into Kindergarten in Fall 2011 may be considered for early entrance to the 4-Day Pre-Kindergarten class. In accordance with state regulations, no child turning 4 years of age after October 15 will be considered for early entrance.
Parents interested in this option should schedule an appointment to have their child’s suitability for early entrance assessed by the Good Shepherd Director. Children accepted through the early entrance process must demonstrate above average performance in both academic and social-emotional development.
Early Pre-Kindergarten (Levels I, II & III)
Two and three year old students enter preschool exhibiting a wide range of abilities and needs. Recognizing that a student’s first experience in a formal school setting sets the stage for future learning, Early Pre-Kindergarten teachers create a warm and caring atmosphere where students can feel safe and secure while learning to separate from the home environment. Gentle guidance is used to develop independence and confidence. Learning class routines such as cleaning up after centers time, putting on coats, transitioning to the playground, and participating in music and chapel times are important steps in this development.
Teachers use the Creative Curriculum© in Early Pre-Kindergarten classes. This program follows a developmentally appropriate continuum that begins with expectations for very young children and continues through expectations for five year old students. The curriculum covers four domains:
• Social/Emotional--this domain includes learning to work in a class environment, taking care of self and being a friend, understanding personal needs, sharing and taking turns;
• Cognitive--this domain includes problem solving, developing math skills such as sorting, classifying, numeral identification, 1:1 correspondence, patterns and counting;
• Physical--this domain includes both gross motor development (large muscles used in running and hopping) and small motor development (muscles used in manipulating small toys and puzzle pieces, working with writing tools and other art equipment, and cutting with scissors);
• Language--this domain involves learning vocabulary and comprehension through songs, fingerplays, story time and conversation. Alphabet concepts are introduced in informal settings. The sounds of language are a major focus. Students’ listening and speaking skills receive special attention.
Monthly curriculum themes introduce students to new vocabulary and new learning experiences. Within each classroom, teachers create centers which provide opportunities to use a variety of equipment. Blocks, table toys, construction sets, art materials, a housekeeping center, and books and audio tapes are just a few of the materials which allow children to develop skills at their own pace. Teachers regularly assess children’s progress and work with both individuals and small groups.
Pre-Kindergarten Classes
Pre-Kindergarten students eagerly explore new concepts. The Building Language for Literacy© program captures this enthusiasm with themes that interest four and five year old students. During the course of the Pre-Kindergarten year, the classroom transforms into different learning environments, including a fire station, a farm, a store, a restaurant, a museum, and an aquarium. Through dramatic play, children develop theme-related vocabulary. Skill development in alphabet recognition, concepts of print, sounds of language, letter/sound relationships, and beginning writing is taught through theme-specific literature, music, poetry, and art activities.
Good Shepherd Preschool supplements the Building Language for Literacy© curriculum with the Growing with Mathematics© and the Harcourt Science programs. Children are naturally curious about mathematics and science. The Growing with Mathematics© program used in the Pre-Kindergarten classrooms provides hands-on learning experiences in sorting, spatial awareness, numbers and counting, ordering, creating patterns, sequencing, shape recognition and measurement. Music, art, literature, and movement activities are strong components of this program
The Harcourt Science program introduces children to the amazing world in which they live. Living organisms, the earth, and the properties of matter are just a few of the themes children study during the year. Cooking projects are frequently used to substantiate scientific concepts. Teacher-directed activities and individual investigations provide opportunities for scientific exploration that complements a variety of learning styles.
Teachers of Pre-Kindergarten classes take into account students’ individual skill levels when planning classroom activities. Thus, a student who is not fully ready for Kindergarten can return for a distinctive, second year of Pre-Kindergarten.
Lunch Plus Enrichment Program
Students in the 3-Day Early Pre-Kindergarten III class and the 5-Day Pre-Kindergarten class may choose to enroll for the Lunch Plus Enrichment Program. This program begins in October and extends the student’s day until 1:30pm on Mondays and Wednesdays. It does not meet one Wednesday per month due to staff meetings. On Lunch Plus Enrichment days, students in the Pre-Kindergarten class join the students in the Early Pre-Kindergarten classroom to enjoy lunches brought from home. After lunch, there is an outdoor time and a planned period of instruction, group, and centers time.
Please note that enrollment in the program is limited and not every student eligible for the program will be able to attend the program.
Last Updated: 01/19/10 11:16 PM