The children in these classrooms range from almost 4 to 5 years old. As they approach kindergarten, they are becoming more independent and are capable of taking on more responsibilities. While all of the classrooms at RSCC are structured to encourage learning and development, these classrooms are designed to prepare our children for kindergarten. Play-based learning continues to be a crucial part of their learning process, but the children in these classrooms also spend more time exposed to structured learning. If you have any questions about what we are doing in the classrooms or about your child’s development, please feel free to arrange a meeting with your child’s teaching team. We will also schedule parent-teacher conferences twice a year. Naptime (1-3 pm) is a wonderful time to call the classrooms with questions.

Children transition into the Pre-K rooms around their 4th birthday. These rooms are licensed for up to 20 children and have three teachers.

Each classroom has a clipboard with the class roster. When you drop your child off each morning and pick him/her up each afternoon/evening, you will need to write the time and initial the form.

Every child is assigned a cubby for extra clothes, diaper bags, hats and any other garments your child may need throughout the day. There is a refrigerator in each room for any food brought from home. All food should be labeled with your child’s name, and all bottles and/or sippy cups must have a lid. Breakfast and snack are included in tuition. Our optional school lunch program (catered by Mama Lucia’s Monday-Thursday and Ledo’s pizza on Friday) starts in the toddler room and is $75/month or $5/day. If you do not participate in the school lunch program, you will need to send lunch for your child.

At nap time the fours sleep on cots provided by the school. Parents are responsible for sending in a sheet, blanket or nap roll. Your child’s bedding will be sent home each Friday to be laundered for the following week.

Four-year-olds are an incredibly fascinating age. Now that they have mastered walking and running, their movements include more large muscle coordination, which in turn, leads to more refined and controlled small motor skills. Progress in cognitive development has sharpened perceptions, and their years of living, albeit few, have given them experiences upon which they have built observations and viewpoints. Although four-year-olds still rely on parents for security and comfort, the child’s social circle is expanding rapidly, and they actively seek interactions with others. In short, four-year-olds are transitioning from baby and toddler-like characteristics into tiny individuals. It is an exciting time!

1. Thematic Units/Studies: We generally teach by choosing fun and interesting thematic units/studies, such as dinosaurs or outer space, often taking cues from the children’s interests. We plan fun activities, projects, songs, etc. that center around the themes. To stimulate cognitive development, we read many books and ask thought-provoking questions. Language development is encouraged through discussions of our themes and remembering what we have learned on previous days.
2. Learning Through Play: A great deal of your child’s learning comes through play. For example, playing with manipulative toys helps build fine motor skills. Block building and puzzles help develop problem-solving skills. The dramatic play center fosters role playing and social development. Science materials encourage exploration and discovery. The math shelf encourages counting skills. The writing center helps build fine motor skills as well as letter recognition. The children become confident climbers, bike riders, ballplayers, etc. Free play gives the children opportunities and experiences to build social-emotional skills and gives their teachers time to observe and help adjust behaviors if needed. Learning through play also gives rise to many “teachable moments” when children’s interests are triggered and they are open to learning new things.
3. The Creative Curriculum: One of only six curriculum systems recommended by the Maryland State Department of Education, the Creative Curriculum is a comprehensive program designed with the whole child in mind. Its founders, former early childhood teachers and teacher educators, combine the work of early childhood theorists with the most current research in the field to create a system to help children learn and flourish in the areas of social-emotional, physical, cognitive and language development. The Creative Curriculum also emphasizes the importance of positive interactions between children and adults, having a quality environment that supports the goal of learning and strong teacher-family relationships.

• Daily Schedule:
• 7:00-8:00 am: Arrival
• 8:00-9:00 am: Outside play
• 9:00-9:15 am: Job chart and hand washing
• 9:15-9:45 am: Breakfast
• 9:45-10:45 am: Morning circle and Creative Curriculum activities (review homework, show & share, story time, songs, centers and crafts)
• 10:45-11:00 am: Bathroom and clean-up
• 11:00-11:50 am: Outside Play
• 11:50 am-12:00 pm: Wash hands
• 12:00-12:40 pm: Lunch
• 12:40-1:00 pm: Bathroom and story time
• 1:00-3:00 pm: Nap time
• 3:00-3:30 pm: Wash hands and snack
• 3:30-4:00 pm: Creative Curriculum review and number/letter exploration
• 4:00-4:15 pm: Clean-up
• 4:15-5:40 pm: Outside play
• 5:40-6:00 pm: Reading, puzzles and departure

Each of these classes are offered once a week. Registration forms can be retrieved from the school office.

Soccer: 30-minute classes offered by Total Soccer Development are a great way for the kids to work on coordination and agility while learning basic soccer skills.

Ballet: Classes are offered for twos and up. Sessions are typically 10 weeks and end with a parent observation.

JumpBunch: 30-minute physical movement classes that encourage kids to enjoy physical activity, feel confident about their abilities and develop a love for being active and healthy.

Please write your child’s name on his/her belongings such as food containers (each piece), blankets and shoes. Please provide us with a detailed note of any food allergies that your child has. Always fill out the medication form if your child needs to take medication at school (we are unable to give medication without written permission). If your child is given medicine at home, please warn us about any reaction that may occur. Please check to make sure there are extra clothes in his/her cubby. If you can, let us know if you plan to pick up your child early so we can reschedule his/her day accordingly.

1. Blanket or sheet
2. Extra clothes
3. Sunscreen
4. Water bottle/thermos for the playground
5. In summer: Water shoes or sandals, swimming diapers, bathing suit and towel