Four Year Old Program
The Melrose School Pre-Kindergarten Program is academic, playful, and interactive. The program exposes and offers educational stimulation to children based on their developmental readiness and level of parental support. Flexibility within the program allows for introductory level academics for new learners as well as enrichment for children who already possess given skills.
The Pre-Kindergarten Program is unit-based and theme-oriented, and capitalizes on the curiosity and the interest of young children. It is important for the students in the program to experience success and to be proud of their achievements. The children develop an understanding of concepts about themselves, others, and the world around them through observation, interacting with people and real objects, and seeking solutions to concrete problems.
Social, emotional, linguistic, physical, creative, and cognitive growth is fostered, while accommodating the different developmental levels of each child. An integrated curriculum is used to emphasize all areas of the children’s development. Learning about self, family, and community while focusing on the seasons and holiday celebrations through the year is an example of such integration.
Please note that students must be 4 or turn 4 by December 1, of the year that they are applying for.
The Four Year Old Program Includes:
- Character Development- Focus on developing respect, cooperation, sharing, patience and being a good friend. Accepts responsibility for one’s actions. Demonstrates ability to function both as an individual and as a member of a group.
- Pre-Reading Skills- Skills reinforced through use of oral language, phonics and literature. Letter/sound of the week, songs, rhymes and games are utilized. Progression includes consonant-vowel blends, three letter words, sight words, short vowel books, as well as introduction to comprehension skills. Reinforcement of fine motor skills (cutting, letter formation) through daily craft and writing activities.
- Math- Skills are developed using math manipulatives, counting to 20, one-to-one correspondence, graphing and sorting. Recognizes and solves problems through active exploration.
- Physical Education- Develop large motor skills and coordination through locomotor exercise (walking, running, hopping) activities, that focus on eye-hand and eye-foot coordination using parachutes, hula-hoops, bean bags, etc.
- Music- Incorporates the use of new familiar songs, tunes and echo songs and the use of rhythm instruments (drums, bells, triangeles, wooden blocks, etc.) and movement.
- Art- Includes projects that are self-expressive and process oriented, including easel painting and collage, as well as teacher directed projects utilizing various mediums and resources.
- French- Counting, learning colors, names and family members, weather terms and other French terms through song, dance and games.
- Science- Opportunities to wonder, ask questions and seek answers through observation and exploration.
- Computer- Develop equipment familiarity through games, graphics and specific educational activities.
Schedule:
Program Hours:
8:30 a.m.- 3:15 p.m. Hot lunch is optional for Pre K 4 students and can be purchased daily. Families are provided with a menu each month.
Program Options:
- 3 full days per week: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
- 4 full days per week: Monday, Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday
- 5 full days per week: Monday – Friday
Before Care: Students may arrive as early as 8:00 a.m.
After School Care Program:
If your child will be attending After School every day of the week on a regular basis, there is a 10% discount off the total bill for the week. The Program is available from 3:15-6:00 p.m. and the fees are as follows: $8.00 per hour/ $4.00 per half hour for the first child, $5.00 per hour/$2.50 per half hour for each additional sibling, and after 5:30 p.m. – $8.00 per 15 minute segments. This Program is designed to be a convenient and helpful service to our parents and fun for our students. We offer a wide selection of activities for the students to engage in and these include: arts & crafts, coloring, play dough, computer and board games, gym time, and outside play.
For more information or to arrange a visit, please contact Tom Burns, Director of Admission at “tburns@melrose.edu
