Our Pre-K/Kindergarten program serves 15-18 children ages 4-6 years. Two full-time teachers educate and care for our Pre-K/Kindergartners.

Our educational philosophy is to approach children as unique individuals. The focus is on observing the children and responding to their individual needs. In our Pre-K/Kindergarten classroom, we see the children as progressive and successful learners. This multi-age program offers opportunities for different ages and developmental levels for all children to be challenged. We do not label our children, so they are not discouraged but always feel accepted and challenged. They learn at their own rate. They make choices within a pre-set environment. The child spends 2 years with the same teachers, which allows the teachers to develop a portfolio of the child’s achievements, and be better in responding to his strengths and needs.

The Pre-K/Kindergarten program operates on a developmental philosophy aimed at learning and achieving. Our curriculum is based on our knowledge of child development and the careful observations our teachers make of the children at work and play. Language development is crucial for this age group. Through dramatic play, and by engaging the children in conversations as a group and one on one, the children’s vocabulary increases, they sharpen their listening skills, and ask questions which improve their reasoning and thinking skills. The children explore letters through different sensorial activities, and begin to identify these symbols by sight and phonetically. Our curriculum also offers Music and Movement and a strong science program that exceeds the Department of Education’s requirements in Math and Science.

Social and emotional strength are vital to confident learning and we help all children develop a positive self image and skills that they can use to play and work cooperatively with others. We want children to learn to respect each other but also to be confident in standing up for their own rights. Children learn to express anger and frustration verbally and to find solutions that will work for everyone involved.

Our Pre-Kindergarten Program provides our children with a solid foundation to start Kindergarten or 1st grade in private or public schools. Our curriculum covers Language, Mathematics, Science and Technology, Social Science, Music, Art, Health and Nutrition. We focus extensively on observation as a skill that informs all areas of the curriculum. Encouraging creativity and responding to the children’s curiosity is important in the way we approach learning and teaching. Our curriculum exceeds the Massachusetts Department of Education’s learning standards, and we follow the Groton Public Schools curriculum guidelines. 

Copyright 2011: The Children's Center at Groton