Program Description

Kindergarten Enrichment Program

5 days/week – supplement to “Regular Kindergarten”

Transitional Kindergarten Program

5 days/week – for children who would benefit from an extra year before Kindergarten

Four Year Old Program

4 or 5 days/week

Science & Math Academy

1 day/week

Three Year Old Program

2, 3 or 4 days/week

Literacy Lab

1 day/week

Toddler Program

2 ½ year olds – 2 days/week

Mother’s Morning Out

2 year olds – 1 day/week

Parent Toddler Program

18 – 35 months with a caring adult – 1 day/week

Kindergarten Enrichment Program

The Kindergarten Enrichment Program is designed for children who are enrolled in a half day public/private school Kindergarten Class. During the other half day session, your child may attend the Kindergarten Enrichment Program at St. Andrew’s. Our program reinforces academic skills but also includes the forgotten “fun” part of Kindergarten. This class will enhance your child’s regular Kindergarten by adding experiences that will enrich his/her skills – academically, emotionally, physically and socially. It is not intended to provide duplication or acceleration of your child’s “Regular Kindergarten” program. The daily themes and activities include lots of hands-on fun!! Low teacher/child ratio and small class size allow greater personal attention for each child. The Kindergarten Enrichment Program includes math, reading readiness, language arts, science, physical activities, music and creative arts. It encourages the development of positive self-esteem as children see themselves as readers, writers, artists, dancers and singers…and so much more!

Transitional Kindergarten Program

The Transitional Kindergarten Program provides a continuing creative and challenging program for children who would benefit from additional time before entering Kindergarten. Emphasis is on first hand experience and discovery through individual involvement. A child who is five by October 31st is eligible for the class. The class is directed by two teachers and meets five half days each week. The class provides the extra needed time that some children require for growth in any one or more of the following developmental areas: intellectual, emotional, social or physical. The aim of the class is to develop the whole child, which is imperative for success in future schooling. The recommendations of the Camden County Superintendent of Schools and the Director of Special Services of the Cherry Hill School System have been incorporated in the planning of the program. Many townships provide financial reimbursement to qualified children, as the class is a licensed private Kindergarten class. The program is planned to emphasize exploration in the fields of reading readiness, language arts, number concepts, science, fine and gross motor activities, music and art.

Reading Readiness:

Language Arts: encouraging children to verbalize thoughts in a group, writing stories (child dictating-teacher transcribing), making story scrapbooks, story telling Left to right progression Auditory Discrimination: hearing likenesses of and differences in common sounds and rhythms; beginning sounds of words, rhyming Visual Discrimination: seeking likenesses and differences in pictures, geometric designs, letters and words Phonics: identifying letters and their sounds Listening Comprehension: sequencing, following directions, sharing facts from a story read and answering questions such as “why” and “how”

Mathematics and Science:

Organizing, classifying, measuring, theorizing, evaluating evidence and concluding; number concepts and set orientation

Creative Arts:

Utilization of a variety of media with emphasis on self-expression and creativity

Four Year Old Program

Classes for four year old children are available morning or afternoon and meet four or five days each week. Children who are four by October 1st and indicate a readiness to benefit from a group experience are eligible for this program. Our four year old classes are geared toward Kindergarten preparation, and requests from public school Kindergarten teachers have been incorporated into our curriculum. Some of the skills and activities we strengthen and encourage through play and hands-on experiences are: Cognitive: Recognition of upper and lower case letters Rhyming words Beginning word sounds Recognition of shapes Recognition of numbers, counting in order, 1:1 correspondence, adding to and taking away from, fractions (whole unit, half, quarter, parts of) Physical: Gross motor skills – running, hopping, jumping, climbing, sliding, balancing, begin skipping, coordination, alternating feet on stairs Fine motor skills – stacking, balancing, patterning with manipulatives, cutting with scissors, tracing, painting, gluing, working on zippers, buttons, boots, etc. Emotional: Self-assurance Independence Positive self-image (“I can do it myself”) Desire to help, to volunteer Being responsible Social: Cooperative play – sharing, taking turns Listening, increasing attention span Following directions Fine Arts: Music, poetry, stories and fingerplays Science and Math Academy – Special Four Year Old Program on Friday The Science and Math Academy is designed to introduce and explore science and math in the world around us. Concepts will be introduced in an interactive way using the “hands on” approach and multisensory experiences!! Early exposure to math concepts can help children learn to organize thought processes through prediction, reasoning and discovery. Children will also explore the natural world of science. This program extends the preschool experience with an opportunity to take part in many experiments. There is an opportunity to learn, in-depth, about the way our world works and to discover facts about the life that exists within. There is always an adventure waiting to happen as we explore and discover our natural world!

Three Year Old Program

Classes for three year old children are available morning or afternoon with a choice of a two, three or four day program. The four day group meets Monday through Thursday. The three day group meets Monday through Wednesday, and the two day group meets Thursday and Friday. (Research indicates that the children retain more information if classes are on consecutive days.) Children must be three years old by October 1st, be toilet trained and indicate a readiness to benefit from a group experience. Our three year old classes are geared toward socialization skills and early school routines. Some of the skills and activities we strengthen and encourage through play and hands-on experiences are: Social-Emotional: Learn to separate happily from parents Have fun at school Cooperative play – sharing, taking turns Learn to identify their own possession Develop positive self-image by “doing” for themselves Physical: Gross motor skills are developed through outside play equipment and indoor playroom and gymnasium equipment Fine motor skills are developed by art activities, manipulatives and play dough Eye/hand coordination and eye/foot coordination skills Language Development: Fingerplays, stories and songs are used to help develop language skills in a fun way Learn to verbalize needs and frustrations Cognitive: Shapes, colors, numbers and letters are presented and reinforced through toys, games and circle time discussions Literacy Lab – Special Three Year Old Program on Thursday Afternoon The Literacy Lab is designed to introduce and reinforce letters and other early literacy skills in a fun and engaging way! Research has shown that children start on the path to learning to read and write very early in life. During Literacy Lab, children will explore and become more familiar with print and print-related activities. This program extends the preschool experience with an emphasis on listening to and talking about stories, beginning to identify letters and letter sounds, and it provides each child with opportunities to explore print in a playful way!

Toddler Program

Classes designed especially for children who are 2½ by October 1st (2 years by April 1st) are available in the afternoon session. The classes meet two days each week and are comprised of children who indicate a readiness to benefit from a group experience. The children are not required to be toilet trained. Two teachers guide the children through the two and a half hour session in either the Tuesday/Wednesday class or the Thursday/Friday class. Our 2½ year old classes are geared toward the development of a positive self-image, socialization skills and early school routines. The children enjoy a wide range of activities that include creative crafts (fine motor development), imaginative play (socialization and language development), imaginative play (socialization and language development), gymnasium and playground experiences (gross motor development) and stories and songs (listening skills and increased attention span). All of these skills are strengthened and encouraged through play and hands-on experiences.

Mother’s Morning Out

Classes designed especially for children who are two by October 1st are available in the morning session. The classes meet one day each week and are comprised of children who indicate a readiness to benefit from a group experience. The children are not required to be toilet trained. Two teachers guide the children through the two and a half hour session. Our two year old classes are geared toward the development of a positive self-image, socialization skills and early school routines. The children enjoy a wide range of activities that include creative crafts (fine motor development), imaginative play (socialization and language development), gymnasium and playground experiences (gross motor development) and stories and songs (listening skills and increased attention span). All of these skills are strengthened and encouraged through play and hands-on experiences.

Parent Toddler Program

The Parent Toddler Program is for a parent(or other caring adult) with toddler who is 18-35 months by October 1st. Each class meets one morning a week. The Parent Toddler class is the highlight of the week for many of the adults and children who participate. It not only helps parents spend quality time with their child on a regular basis, but it also gives them a chance to be with other parents who have children the same age. It is an ideal opportunity to share ideas and exchange information. The atmosphere in the Parent Toddler classroom is a warm and accepting one. The children have fun being together, but above all, they develop a positive attitude about themselves. Two teachers guide the students through the two hour session. The children enjoy a wide range of activities that includes creative crafts (fine motor development), imaginative play (socialization and language development), gymnasium and playground experiences (gross motor development) and stories and songs (listening skills and increased attention span). Every opportunity is taken to stimulate the children’s interest in their ever-growing world. Even snack time is a time for discovery, as teachers, parents and children work together. The teachers give parents insight into the child’s development at this stage. They also keep parents informed of safety issues, helpful reference books and worthwhile places to visit with their toddlers. Truly, this program is a benefit and learning experience for both the toddlers as well as the adults.