Pre-Kindergarten Program

Hilldale School’s Pre-K program provides care, supervision, and academic instruction for 4- to 5-year-old children who will attend Kindergarten the following year. We believe that children’s cognitive, social, and physical growth is best accomplished in a setting where their interests and abilities are carefully nurtured by a mature and caring staff. At the same time, we aim to maximize each child’s personal growth and development.

This class focuses on advanced Kindergarten readiness with an emphasis on early childhood literacy, math, science, and social studies concepts, Spanish, music, art, and movement. The children participate in a variety of “hands-on” activities which provide challenge and encourage creativity and curiosity. Each week, your child will grow in all skill areas through exposure to: 

• Letters & Language Activities

• Numbers & Math Activities

• Science Explorations

• Geographical Awareness

• Circle Times, including Calendar, Reading, Show & Tell, Songs

• Arts & Crafts

• Music & Movement

• Dramatic & Creative Play

• Computer Activities

• Indoor & Outdoor Free Play Time

• Social Readiness Skills

Our curriculum encourages children to “Wonder, Discover, and Explore,” as well as to make the most of their talents and interests. In fact, most of our children will complete the program at the end of August knowing their numbers to at least 100 and beginning to read, all while having lots of fun. Come visit us and see for yourself why we have a superior program!

Sample Weekly Curriculum

Themes are the letter "T" and Insects

Oral Language--

• Introduce the letters "T" and "t"

• Teach sounds and sight words for letter "T"

• Talk about words beginning and ending in "T"

• Show and Tell; talk about our weekends

• Talk about insects--name our favorites

• Learn our full names and addresses

Math--

Science--

• Bug hunt! Make observations with a hand lens

• Observe plant growth

• Study the sounds that insects make

• Talk about the importance of bees

• Make a honeycomb with cereal and honey

• Go on a nature walk (hunt for bees and other insects!)

Fine Motor Skills--

• Trace letters "T" and "t," and write a word the with letter "T" in it

• Play with playdough, blocks, Legos, and puzzles

• Write the number "20"

• Trace and write whole name

• Draw lines to match objects and letters

Creative Arts--

• Create a ladybug garden

• Create a turtle

• Easel paint scenery with a tiger

• Make handprint butterflies

• Make a train

Music and Movement--

• "The Ants Go Marching"

• Count our friends

• Play musical instruments

Storybook Reading--

• "Big Bug Hunt"

• The Tortoise and the Hare"

• How the Rabbit Caught the Tiger"

Self-Help Skills--

• Teach manners when greeting someone

• Review clean-up skills

• Review safety habits, including knowing our names and phone numbers

• Review good play and conversation manners

Nursery Rhymes--

• "Ten Little Fingers"

• "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star"

• "Little Ms Ladybug"

The Daily Schedule (approximate)

7:30 – 8:30                  Indoor extended care

8:30 – 9:00                  Outdoor free play

9:00 – 9:55                  Circle time and language arts activities

9:55 -10:05                  Snack

10:05-11:00                  Math, Science, and/or Social Studies activities

11:30-12:00                  Lunch

12:00- 1:00                  Computer or Drama activities; indoor free play

1:00 – 1:30                   Outdoor free play

1:30 – 3:00                   Nap time

3:00 – 3:30                  Outdoor play and snack

3:30 – 4:30                  Art and/or Music & miscellaneous activities

4:30 – 6:00                  Indoor extended care