Kindergarten is special here at Spa Christian School!

Our Philosophy

Kindergarten is a foundational year that sets the pace for a child's educational future by providing a comfortable and stimulating experience. This is an affirming time, where success is easy to achieve and any small failures or struggles are such that children can cope with them and feel that they are a normal part of learning. Kindergarten is a year of discovery and hands-on learning as well as a time to focus on beginning academics; it is a year of preparation for the progressively more challenging academics of first grade and beyond.

Our Schedule

We begin the school year with a half-day program, easing children into the routine of school without causing fatigue or stress. We extend to a full day program for the second half of the school year when more children are ready and expand our curriculum to include enriching activities.

KinderCare

An extended day option is available during the first half of the year for parents who wish to keep their kindergartener at school until the end of the school day (2:00 p.m.).

Our Curriculum

Children learn at an age-appropriate level how to:

• Include others in activities
• Choose play activities
• Clean up after play
• Explore make-believe
• Use time well

During the school day social relationships are addressed:

• Choose friends
• Listen when others speak
• Take turns
• Choose to obey
• Share
• Tell stories

Academics include:

• Phonemic awareness
• Sound-symbol relationship
• Letter recognition and formation
• Sequencing
• Following directions

Appreciation for literature and language is enhanced through oral reading, Big Books, songs and poems.

Number concepts include counting, one-to-one correspondence, and relationships of size, space and quantity.

Science and social studies are included by expanding on topics children have been introduced to at home (animals, weather, community helpers, etc.) and by taking field trips to gain first-hand knowledge and experience (Brookside Museum, pumpkin patch, and in-house field trips that include a honeybee business and "Birds in Your Backyard").

Large and small motor activities are developed, and physical education, music, art and Spanish instruction enrich their education.

Kindergarten Readiness

Kindergarten is an important experience for children as they begin their formal education. It is a time of many new challenges, both in academics and in social relationships. These challenges are great fun if the child is ready to meet them, and they lay the foundation for all future education.

Research and our experience has shown that developmentally "older" children are more successful and happy during their kindergarten year. Therefore, we recommend that boys and girls be at least 5 years old by the beginning of September. Our screening process, teacher observations, and conferences with parents, teachers, and the administrator help us to come to a consensus regarding the readiness of a child for kindergarten.

We want your child's kindergarten year to be exciting and encouraging, an experience which will prepare him or her in a positive way for the next twelve or more years of schooling.