Kindergarten This is a 4-5 day program intended for children from 4 to 6 years of age. Children will have a class visit to assess readiness and parents will interview with faculty prior to acceptance. Preference is given to siblings of older students and children who have participated in our Pre-K program. Children who will be 5 or older by June 1 are expected to attend 5 days per week. Children who reach 6 years of age by June 1 will be assessed for 1st grade readiness. More complex activities, circle time and stories are presented to this group of children. Great emphasis is placed on establishing a harmonious, cooperative classroom culture where children learn respect for themselves, others and their physical environment. Children’s readiness for abstract learning is prepared through imaginative, physical and experiential activities. A love of language and readiness for reading is consciously cultivated through the use of story, poetry, rhyme and song. Teachers and assistants lead their classes by example. Play is the work of preschool children. Imitation is their special talent and natural way of learning. The kindergarten teacher creates an environment where natural beauty and reverence for life abound, bringing warmth, security and cooperation to the child's world of constructive fantasy and imagination. The teacher participates in practical and artistic activities which the children imitate--baking, painting, drawing, modeling and handcrafts in weekly rhythm—coloring the work with seasonal rhythm—coloring the work with seasonal moods and festival celebrations. The children wholeheartedly reenact these guided activities in their free creative play. With joy and devotion they express wonder for life and enthusiasm for work, building a strong bridge to later academic learning. l moods and festival celebrations. Here the young child's imagination is nourished and encouraged to unfold, leading to an inner vitality out of which grows the capacity for dynamic, original thinking, and a readiness to embrace learning in the primary grades. Class time: Alternates between coming together for group activity and dispersing for free play. A Sample of Daily Activities Circle time Inside free play Rest Snack Outside play Group activity Story time Lunch Release to parent / guardian Circle time: Songs, gestures, finger plays, verses and games. Depending on the age group, these are designed to develop flexibility and coordination and vocabulary, they can introduce body parts, work with rhythm and counting, reflect the seasons – all in an active and fun way. Inside play: Children express their own creativity through unstructured interaction with their peers. As the adults go about their work, the children may choose to help them with ironing, cleaning, sewing, building, festival preparation, a craft activity or cooking. Story time: Teachers tell fairy tales, folk tales or sequential stories on successive days, then retell as a puppet show, or as a play with simple costumes acted out by the children with the teacher narrating. Outside play: Larger, more active movements that help the children become strong and well-coordinated as they expand their creative life in the world of nature. Wonderful playground equipment, a small stream, places to dig and play, as well as garden encourages exploration and enjoyment of the outdoors in all seasons and all weather. Snack and lunch: A wholesome snack is prepared and shared with the class. Lunch is brought from home.