Program Description
Mission Statement
Our commitment for the Transitional Kindergarten is based on our belief that children are natural learners born with a curiosity which encourages them to question, explore and discover the world around them. We recognize the teacher as a facilitator, honoring children’s inquiry and providing time and space for deep thinking and connections.
Children are empowered everyday while seeing themselves as “problem solvers” encompassing a growth mindset, while fostering resilience and critical thinking skills. This intentional teaching and relationship building provides a solid foundation for children’s transition into larger, diverse schools.
Our partnership with families is a primary ingredient in building community and creating a sense of belonging.
Transitional Kindergarten Daily Schedule
The overall goals and objectives of the Transitional Kindergarten day is to provide unique opportunities, that address the child’s readiness, to prepare for formal instruction in future academic settings.
8:30 AM
Arrival and greetings. All Areas, including the outdoor space are available for child- directed free play. Time for transitions and goodbyes.
9:30 AM
Morning Meeting A time to prepare for the day and reflect as a whole group. Children practice listening skills and group participation.
9:45 AM
Small group time. Children move into small groups with indoor and outdoor space utilized. Children are grouped to optimize social and learning potential. Children will rotate between groups which offer different approaches to learning concepts (this includes language arts, mathematics, art, science and cooking projects).
10:30 AM
Snack Healthy nutritious snacks are served family style.
10:45 AM
Recess Opportunities for active play, supporting gross motor development and sensory exploration, including climbing, running, jumping, sand and dirt play, water play, outdoor art, woodworking and gardening.
11:30 AM
Circle Time A time to practice participating in a large group and develop listening skills as peers share in conversation. Activities include, stories, music, singing, calendar and graphing. Twice a month our music specialist leads circle.
12:00 PM
Lunch Children bring lunch from home and eat together enhancing social and learning opportunities.
12:45 PM
Rest Time A time to practice self regulation by slowing down and resting. Stories and books are available for children.
1:15 PM
Additional group activities are planned around themes and areas of study that emerge from the children’s and teachers interest (science, art, social studies, drama, celebrations).
2:00 PM
Recess Similar activities available as 10:45 AM recess
2:30 PM
Clean-up, closing circle with a snack. Preparation to go home.
3:00 PM
Class Dismissed
3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Optional Extended Day Enrichment The program will be small in size, allowing children an enhanced social experience with a more intensive focus on topics of interest. Enrichment curricula that we have enjoyed in the past are cooking, drama, book making, science exploration and art.
Throughout the day, at all times, there is en emphasis on flexibility.
Teachers are taking their cues from the children and changing and or adjusting as necessary. Neighborhood walks and field trips are integrated into the curriculum providing opportunities to enhance and extend classroom experiences by giving children real context for learning.
Curriculum
The curriculum at Eureka Learning Center is driven by our values of, Time, Experience and Acceptance. These three core values allow us to create individual learning plans for children. The teacher’s intentional observations and reflective teaching ensures that each child is recognized for their strengths and creates opportunity to work on areas of growth.
The curriculum is colored with many curriculum models that are developmentally appropriate, and inspiring to our teaching practice. The integration of these models has produced a curriculum with a primary focus on social and emotional growth and academic skills that will help prepare children for formal schooling.
The Transitional Kindergarten provides a full academic curriculum that emphasizes flexibility and takes into account diverse learning and developmental needs.
The curriculum provides opportunity for children and teachers to think and learn together. Children see themselves as active in the learning process with their thoughts and ideas helping to guide the experience. This process is the foundation for developing a true joy and delight of learning.
Teachers engage in deep thinking and reflective practice with the children allowing learning and relationships to develop.
Our curriculum provides ongoing opportunities to help prepare children for formal instruction with an appropriate academic program offering language arts, reading readiness and mathematics. Other areas include music, art, science, social studies, dramatic play, cooking, block play and field trips.
Highlights
Peaceful Conflict Resolution
We anticipate and embrace conflicts amongst children and view them as teachable moments with opportunity to engage in conflict resolution. Children work together, with the support of a teacher, deciding on an agreed upon working plan. The curriculum supports children’s developing social competence, with emphasis on empathy development, perspective taking, and self- discipline.
Community Building
The social justice component of the curriculum expands children’s thinking and understanding of their worlds while helping them recognize their potential. The goal is to create a climate of respect for diversity through students learning to listen with kindness and empathy to the experiences of their peers and others.
Proactive work reinforces the potential we all have to be helpful, kind and caring individuals within a community. Here at Eureka Learning Center they have the opportunity to practice this on a daily basis in the classroom and through our community outreach activities.
