Preschool Classes

Curriculum
We follow the Creative Curriculum as a back drop to match the way children develop and learn. The curriculum is child focused and encourages children to be active learners. We seek to find a balance between applying a general knowledge of child development with the particular knowledge a teacher gains by forming a relationship with each child and family. The learning takes place in the context of a community of parents and teachers where children are safe and valued, where their physical needs are met, and where they feel psychologically secure. Incorporated into our curriculum is content in literacy, math, science, social studies, and the arts.

Interest Centers
The physical space of The Creative Curriculum is organized into nine interest areas:

Dramatic Play
Toys and Games
Art
Library
Discovery/Science
Sensory Table
Music/ Movement
Cooking

The nine indoor interest areas plus the outdoor space offer multiple opportunities for children to explore, discover, and learn. Interest areas provide a setting for children to learn academic content and apply skills that matches the way children grow and develop.

Classes
All classes meet 9:00 a.m.—12:00 noon

Toddlers Class: Meets once a week on Mondays; one teacher and two coop parents with up to 12 children. Average number of coop days is 3 each semester.
Three-year-old Class: Meets twice a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays; one teacher and two coop parents with up to 12 children. Average number of coop days is 5-6 each semester.
Four-year-old Class: Meets three times a week on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays; one teacher and two coop parents with up to 15 children. Average number of coop days is 7-9 each semester.
Five-year-old Class: Meets four times a week on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; one teacher and two coop parents with up to 15 children. Average number of coop days is 10-12 each semester.
Friday Fun Day Class: Meets once a week on Fridays; two teachers and one coop parent with up to 15 children. Average number of coop days is 4-5 each semester. This is a mixed age class, 2 1/2-5 years old.
Connections Class: Meets three times a week Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. It is taught by two teachers and one co-op parent with up to 12 children. Average number of co-op days is 4-5 each semester. This is a mixed age class, 3-5 years old, subject to teacher and director approval.

The word co-op means that parents work in the classroom each semester as aides to the teacher. As part of the class, parents can see first-hand what their children are doing and gain an understanding of how their children socialize in a group. They can also expand their own approaches to child raising by observing the teachers and other parents sitting on the floor, observing typical peers, working and playing with the children. The Cooperative Preschool sets the stage for parents being involved in their child’s education as well as making friends in a safe community of parents of young children.

In addition, as part of the cooperative preschool, parents provide snacks for the class, perform “service days” each semester (e.g. baby-sit for a meeting, cleaning, prepare materials, repair toys) or parents may serve as a member of the Preschool Board or Committee. Parents also participate in our grocery support program.

While parents of young children are encouraged to co-op, we realize some parents simply cannot always participate. In that case, we provide for aides in the classroom with an increase in fees. (Check our half and non co-op fees on the enrollment form.)

Check us out! Contact Janet Madden at 303.402.6386/

Not sure which class is right for you and your child? Read on…

DIFFERENCES IN CLASSES

Threes, Fours, Connections and Fives

Many of you have asked us about the difference between our classes...Threes, Fours, Connections and Fives. First of all, we follow the Boulder Valley cut-off for our Threes and Fours classes. This means the child must be 3 or 4 by September 30^th of the school year. To be in the Fives classes, the child must be 5 years old by January 31^st of the school year. Children in the Connections Class may be 3, 4 or 5.

Our creative curriculum for all of our classes is developmentally appropriate & play-based. We share toys, puzzles, stories, songs and creative movement daily in all classes.

Our Threes class progresses to more art, science, and messy projects; we have a short, active circle time, and we sometimes have small group time: working on fine motor skills (e.g. cutting skills, drawing, painting), and, as always, social skills. Some of our units include: Colors, Nursery Rhymes, Numbers, Seasons, Circus, Friends, and Our Favorite Stories.

The Fours curriculum is based on units that include science & literacy each day. We do projects that support the unit of study. Some examples: Africa, Kids Around the World (e.g. Mexico, Germany, Russia), Favorite Books, Ocean Life, Dinosaurs, Farms, Seasons & Holidays. We also work with the children on Kindergarten readiness skills such as independence, listening, following directions, pre-math and pre-reading skills (such as sequencing, letter and name recognition and la lot of rhyming) and fine-motor skills. We also use personal journaling for further literacy and writing skills. We integrate field trips into the units we are studying, approximately 10 per year. Examples of field trips are: Moe's Bagel, Walden Ponds, Community Gardens, Butterfly Pavilion, Chatauqua (to see animals preparing for winter), Book Store, and more!

The Fives curriculum continues to emphasize play-based learning. Because the children are here four days, and because they are older, most of the children are ready for increased independence, responsibility, and longer, more formal circle time. We do more pre-reading and pre-math activities with these students (including "Letter of the Week", personal journals, Cuisenaire rods and a variety of counting activities). The fives also enjoy approximately 10 field trips a year, different from the Fours classes. Examples are: NCAR, Boulder Library, Omni Hotel, Colorado Train Museum, Local Helicopter Business, Cottonwood Kennels, and more.

Connections is a mixed age class, open to ages 3-5, taught by a certified early childhood special educator and a trained teacher. Connections provides an individualized learning environment for children of all abilities and helps build or strengthen key social skills for school and beyond.

For all classes, as the children mature through the year we offer more creative opportunities, more independence, and encourage thinking and reasoning skills. Throughout the year, we encourage and support the development of social skills required for working with others and being part of a group. Come visit a class!