Welcome to the School Readiness Program. This classroom is unique in the center because it encompasses two different age groups - young four-year-olds and 4.5 to- 5-year olds not developmentally ready for kindergarten (Pre-Ks). The program is designed to keep an active explorer happily involved in a variety of hands-on experiences each day.

Curriculum
The curriculum in the School Readiness classroom integrates into the local and regional kindergarden curriculum and is based on accepted current early childhood education theory and methodology and is organized around the basic tenet that children learn first about themselves, their close environment and their families, and then build upon that learning to expand their horizons according to interests and experiential opportunities. The curriculum throughout the center, focuses on the developmental needs of the whole child, emphasizing the integration of themes and designed to include opportunities for children to develop in these areas through small and large group activities, self-selected and self-directed independent activities, teacher-initiated activities, time indoors and outdoors, quiet times and active times.
The variety of activites and materials used in the School Readiness classroom allows children to explore their environment through their senses. To encourage the development of the whole child, School Readiness teachers select developmentally (or age) appropriate activities from seven main areas of concentration – language arts and early literacy skills, fine motor, large motor, sensory experiences, science and pre-math, self-care and pre-school learning skills. The activities involve thinking, muscle coordination, imagination and problem solving skills which form the building blocks laid in preparation for formal education and higher reasoning used later in life.

Program Highlights
Computer Station – A personal computer is included as part of the daily learning station. As a free-choice activity, the computer includes educational games for skill building.

IBM Get Set for Writing to Read – A pre-reading program using pcjr computers. This is started when children move into the pre-kindergarten group.

Music & Movement Lab – School Readiness teachers utilize the lab to enhance their large motor and language arts curriculum. There are instruments to play, a keyboard and autoharp to use, tumbling tools (foam blocks, scarves, etc), extra-large balls, rings, and hula hoops.

Spanish – simple Spanish words (counting, colors, foods, objects, conversation and commands). Stories are read and the children sing and play games all in Spanish.