ABOUT THE CURRICULUM

One of our points of pride at Countryside Preschool is our curriculum which has a heavy emphasis on individualized instruction.

Each student is individually evaluated by the school's educational diagnostician. Students are tested for learning readiness using the K-SEALS: Kaufman Survey of Early Academic and Language Skills. The process usually requires 15 to 20 minutes to complete and measures three separate subtests in developing a student profile:

Vocabulary Subtest: The child identifies, by gesture or name, pictures of objects or actions and points to or names objects based on verbal descriptions of their attributes

Numbers, Letters & Words: The child selects or names numbers, letters, or words; counts; indicates knowledge of number concepts (smallest, half); and solves number problems

Articulation Survey: The child pronounces the names of common objects or actions and is assessed for correctness of pronunciation

Parents will be given a full written analysis of their child's scores.

The preschool curriculum will engage the children in age appropriate activities that will strengthen their cognitive skills and aid in their developmental progress. We strive to develop the whole child to his or her fullest potential.

* Pre-literacy, language development, and math readiness skills will be emphasized in order to prepare the children for success in kindergarten and later grades.

* Creativity and imaginative skills will be developed in the dramatic play, music, and art centers as well as during teacher led group activities and projects based on thematic units.

* Science and social studies projects will increase awareness and understanding of the environment.

* The development of fine motor skills will take place through activities such as cutting, pasting, drawing, coloring, and working with puzzles. Children will begin working on writing skills when they are developmentally ready for that step.

* Large motor skills will be developed with both indoor and outdoor activities. The children will do daily exercises especially designed for the preschool age group. In the large outdoor play area the children will learn basic sports skills and participate in organized activities as well as enjoy free play on our large shady playground.

* The Countryside staff works to develop each child to the fullest potential by building a strong foundation in social skills. Our beautiful country setting makes it easy to develop an appreciation and enjoyment of nature.

* Our preschool pets add great enjoyment to the children's day and teach the children responsibility. The children can observe, talk to, and feed the animals without being directly exposed to them. Right now we have a dog, cat, and a pony, but we are shopping around for some other fun animals. We have squirrels in the trees, and cows can be spotted and counted from the play area.

Lefty, the lovable

Ace, the puppy

One Spot, the boss

Penny the pony

The basic curriculum that we use at Countryside Preschool is the Star-Brite curriculum. That curriculum is then adapted and enriched to meet the needs of each child based on the test evaluation of the individual strengths and weaknesses of the child. The basic Star-Brite curriculum is professionally planned by educators to enhance a child's early educational development, but kids just think it's fun. The curriculum provides hands-on craft and learning activities that help preschoolers understand numbers, letters, colors, and shapes. Children will learn and grow as they enjoy poems, books, stories, games, finger-plays, arts and crafts, science projects and a variety of physical activities.

In addition to using the Star-Brite curriculum, the experienced Countryside staff will involve the children in many exciting learning projects and experiments.

Click here to compare the Star-Brite curriculum to the National Association of Education for Young Children Guidelines