At Families First, every child has the opportunity to:
- Participate in activities that are both quiet and active, teacher-directed and child-initiated, and indoor and outdoor using a variety of equipment and materials
- Work and play in a safe, loving atmosphere with children of the same age, always under direct supervision
- Establish positive and caring relationships with both adults and other children
- Develop a curiosity for the world around them by asking questions, trying new ideas, providing input and feeling good about their efforts of response
- Develop a positive self-esteem which allows independence in the pursuit of learning through problem-solving and the confidence to try things on their own
- Challenge their physical and intellectual abilities
Welcome to Preschool!
Teacher/Child Ratio = 1:10
Age Range = 3-4 years
For our Preschoolers, we focus on:
Physical Development
Large muscle – climbing, riding, lifting, kicking, throwing balls, jump ropes, etc.
Balance – games through the above methods and the balance beam
Small muscle - manipulation of toys, craft projects, puppets
Emotional Development
Self-esteem – positive feedback and supportive environment, dramatic play, self-expression activities, body awareness and staff helpers
Independence – participation in class planning, making choices and self help
Intellectual Development
Language – encouraging speech, conversations, reading books, storytelling
Cognitive – problem solving, use of the alphabet, counting, colors, weights and measures, activities which use letters and numbers, calendar, time, nature and science activities, water and sand play, art and block play
Creativity – exploration of art mediums, art activities, music and dance
Social Development
Behavioral – discussion of rules, limits, and expectations through appropriate behavior in all aspects of the daily activities
Interaction skills – small and large group activities, understanding the rights and responsibilities of others, diplomatic mediation, music, dance
Our General Schedule
The following is a general guideline to how your child will spend his/her day. Obviously, the child’s needs (diaper changes or bathroom breaks, for example) are taken into consideration.
Open to 8:30 a.m. = Arrival: Children participate in child-initiated activities and eat breakfast. Breakfast is served at 8:00. As children finish breakfast, they can visit learning centers or participate in individual or small-group activities until most children have arrived or are finished eating.
8:30 a.m. to 9:25 a.m. = Group Time: Teacher brings the group together for morning routines, calendar, sharing, featured activity, literacy-building, and discussion of the day’s activities and themes.
9:25 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. = Learning Centers and Small-Group Activities: Children choose from activities in the creative arts, dramatic play, writing, library, blocks, manipulatives, math, science and sensory learning centers. Teachers implement small-group activities, focusing on skill-building activities and observational assessment.
10:00 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. = Snack
10:15 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. = Group Time: Children come together to listen to a daily read-aloud and/or to finish or repeat activities from the early morning group time.
10:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. = Reflection Time
11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. = Outdoor Play: Children select from a variety of outdoor activities.
11:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. = Lunch: Children wash hands, help set the tables, and prepare and eat lunch.
12:15 p.m. to 12:30 p.m. = Group Time: Teachers read aloud to the children as they settle down for naps.
12:45 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. = Rest Time and Quiet Work Time: Most children nap or rest quietly. As children wake from rest time, they can select from a variety of quiet choices, such as manipulatives, drawing and writing, books, or the listening center.
2:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. = Learning Centers: Children choose from activities in the learning centers.
3 p.m. to 3:15 p.m. = Snack
3:15 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. = Group Time: Children come together for an afternoon featured activity and closing routine.
3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. = Outdoor Play: Children select from a variety of outdoor activities.
4:15 p.m. to Close = Learning Centers or Small-Group Activities: Children select from a variety of activities that are easy to clean up, such as books, listening center, and manipulatives.