Preschool is a wonderful opportunity to allow children the freedom to develop and grow in independence and confidence.  The social skills necessary to succeed in a kindergarten environment begin to come into focus as children expand their ability to sit and listen for longer periods of time.  Little things mean alot, getting your own crayon box and using the bathroom “all by myself” are examples of how responsibility is instilled in this age group. 

The Seedlings Early Childhood Education Program includes a preschool curriculum, with enrichment programs for Reading Readiness, Spanish, Sign Language and Musical Beginnings.  It incorporates key elements from the Creative Curriculum for Preschool (approved by New Jersey Dept. of Education) which focuses on intentional teaching through small group interactions.  The preschool curriculum advances in learning objectives from Pre-K 3 and through Pre-K 4.

Developmental growth continues to be reinforced through teacher-led play.  For example, when focusing on a “Sensational Seed” theme featured activities and lessons could be:

Song of the Week: A Seed Song
Book: The Seasons of Johnny’s Apple Tree
Arts & Crafts: From Seed to Sprout fingerpainting
Math: Seed Packet Matching
Science: We eat seeds!

Our preschool curriculum is thematically based and geared toward large and small group activities which focus on each child's individual abilities and needs.  Children are divided into Pre-K 3 and 4 classrooms and learning objectives are advanced along with the child’s development.  There is ‘buzz in the air’ as constant hands-on and teacher-led activities encourage learning as fun, because preschoolers learn best when active participation is the focus.

Theme-based units and concepts become more complex as children advance from Pre-K 3 level into Pre-K 4.  Learning is brought to life under their teacher’s guidance such as “playing” post office and writing to pre-school pen pals in other states while learning about those states.

An important aspect of our curriculum is the exclusive Rainbow Academy Reading Readiness program. This begins in Pre-K 3 and continues to become more advanced through Pre-K 4.  This program is designed to give each child the opportunity to learn the skills that are key building blocks to becoming a strong reader. Unlike phonetic-based programs which focus on only one aspect of the reading process, our Reading Readiness program is a ‘whole language approach.”  Being literacy-based, the program motivates and encourages young children, while offering all of the opportunities they need to develop into life-long readers. 

The second aspect of the Pre-K curriculum - science, math, and social studies - is approached with hands-on activities that engage children’s curiosity through exploration. 

Lesson plans are designed to address each of the developmental areas including: Sensory & Perception, Language & Communication, Personal & Social, Creativity & Arts, Physical, and Cognitive. 

Our classrooms are center–based learning environments.  Children move through these areas as they explore, discover and expand their interests.  Examples of some areas are: Dramatic Play Center, Family Center, Transportation Center , Building Center, Reading Center and Computer Center.  These learning areas are filled with fun and age-appropriate puzzles, manipulatives, games and toys. 

The Pre-K program will help to ensure that when your child graduates from Rainbow Academy, they will love learning and easily and confidently assimilate into elementary school.