Our preschool program
Learn
The children work on daily writing, reading, phonics, and math activities catered to their individual needs. Each child works with a teacher, one-on-one on work that is specifically picked for them so that they feel challenged, and successful each day. They practice writing letters and numbers as well as hands on activities to teach letter sounds, reading, counting and adding. Each child goes to kindergarten well prepared for the year ahead with the confidence and enthusiasm to work hard and try new things!
Play
The children spend a good portion of their day at school playing and socializing. We have structured activities set up each day for the children to choose from, but they are free to explore and play with whatever they'd like. We encourage them to make independent decisions, be kind friends, work as a team, and clean up after themselves. The children at ACDS become amazing helpers to their teachers and friends and learn the value of being respectful and kind to those around them!
Create
We pride ourselves on our creativity! We have an amazing teacher directed, child-made art project on the agenda each day that the children LOVE to do. We also offer endless opportunities for the children to independently paint, color, cut, and get creative. We give each child a basic knowledge of drawing, painting, and doing collage work and inspire them to make unique, individual works of art. We truly get to watch little artists bloom!
Outside time
At ACDS we love outside time. We try to get the children outside every day, unless the weather prevents it. We WILL bundle up a class of 20 children in snowsuits to get even ten minutes of fresh air. Our playground is enormous. There is plenty of room for everyone to run, swing, slide, ride bikes, play Frisbee, sled and build snowmen. The yard is completely fenced in and is a preschooler’s dream come true!
Curriculum
We design our own curriculum based on classroom curiosity. We usually work on a theme for a week or two with a month-long unit in the Spring. We learn about a ‘letter of the week” each week and discuss our theme and letter at circle time each day along with reading stories and singing songs pertaining to our theme. We practice writing the letter of the week, learn about the letter sounds and we create an art project each day that corresponds with the curriculum. The children have a good balance of free play and structured learning time with endless opportunities to independently explore, create, experiment, and just have fun.