Preschool Program
Preschool
Program
About Our Preschool Program
Preschoolers are active learners. Providing them with opportunities to explore and discover, ask and answer questions, solve problems, and interact with classmates is essential for their development. Through a combination of teacher directed activities, large and small group activities, outdoor play, and child-centered free choice play, our students learn a variety of skills that prepare them for kindergarten and beyond. With the teacher’s guidance, our students gain skills by exploring topics through discovery and investigation, because learning is most meaningful when children are active participants in their learning.
Our Preschool Program is designed to encourage development of social and emotional skills such as making friends, playing cooperatively, and communicating with peers and adults. Colors, shapes, numbers and letters are integrated throughout the curriculum. Free-choice (work time) allows them to practice independence, decision-making, cooperation and problem-solving skills. Activity and art centers encourage imaginative play, exploration, creativity and development of fine motor skills. Daily Jobs are rotated to help the children build self-esteem and develop a sense of responsibility and control in the classroom.
Class Details
- Mix of 3 and 4 year old children
- Teacher to Student Ratio: 1:9 (Max 18 children)
- Staff: 1 Lead Teacher + 1 Teacher’s Assistant
- Age Requirement: Must be 3 years old by August 31st
- Hours: Part-time, Full-day, and Full-time options
- Days: 3, 4, and 5 day options
- Potty Training: Required
- Stay and Play Extended Care is available until 4:30pm
Work Time
(Free Choice Play)
Work Time (Free-choice Play) is integral to our program and encourages children to practice independence, decision-making, cooperation, conflict resolution, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with the guidance of skilled adults. Children also develop a love of learning when they are given ample opportunities to engage in free play. Children are intrinsically motivated to make sense of the world through play because it is meaningful.
Teachers engage children in conversations that promote higher order thinking during episodes of free-choice play, small groups, large groups, circle time, and outdoor play. These conversations are critical to helping children learn to create innovative ideas and concepts that are necessary for success in school and beyond.
Emotions play a big role in a young child’s capacity to learn. In the 3’s program, teachers help children develop emotional regulation, resiliency, self-control, and empathy; all of which help children develop social and emotional competence.
These skills are very important for predicting readiness for learning. Teachers help children use their words instead of their hands. They also help children develop methods for calming down, including taking deep breaths, counting to 10, or visiting quiet area in the classroom for a few minutes.
Calm Down Area
Safe Place
The Calm Down Area, also known as a SAFE SPACE, is a place in the classroom where the children can go when they are upset, want to be alone, or have a problem. It is a space to deal with strong emotions, calm down, engage in emotional regulation, and feel safe and understood.
It is a place where children can go to safely experience emotional upset or distress. It teaches children to safely deal with strong emotions through active calm-breathing, talking through it, soothing, etc. The Calm Down Area helps children make good choices, empathize with others, and develop internal control.
Explore Scholarship Programs at God's Garden
Discover the path to affordable early education with God’s Garden Scholarship Opportunities. Explore a variety of financial aid options tailored to meet diverse family needs, from state-funded programs to community-specific scholarships. Our dedicated page provides detailed eligibility criteria and application guides to help you secure the best support for your child’s educational journey.
Refer a Friend
God's Garden is excited to offer our current families a fantastic referral incentive! When you refer a friend to God's Garden and they enroll their child, you can earn $200 in GG Bucks. Your friend will also receive a 50% discount on their registration fee. This is our way of saying thank you for helping us grow our wonderful community.