Pre-Kindergarten Program

Ages & Adult-to-Child Ratios

Incredible Teachers & Staff

The YMCA teachers and staff are the kindest people you’ll ever meet. Your child is important to every single one of them. We’re committed to giving your child an enriching experience that sets them up for success for years to come. 

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Developmental Focus

We partner with you when it comes to helping your child thrive. Your observations, concerns and ideas help us provide developmental opportunities your child needs to:

• Embrace a passion for learning
• Experience a true sense of achievement
• Expand on pre-writing and reading skills
• Build on math and science concepts
• Explore solutions to conflicts, recognize feelings and relationships
• Develop large and fine motor skills
• Develop social-emotional skills needed for self-regulation

Your Child’s Day

Arrival, Drop-Off and Sign In

Ease into the day with free play while socializing with friends and staff

Breakfast

Get ready for a day of learning with a nutritious breakfast to fuel the mind and body

Morning Meeting

Share stories from our time away, welcome children to the classroom, introduce learning topic of the day

Active Learning

Learning in large groups to explore areas of daily life, weather, letters, numbers and patterns

Small Group

Expand on concepts shared in the large group to serve more individual needs

Social & Emotional

Engage with friends and teachers, swaying, making noise and showing silly faces 

Enrichment Activities

Participate in Kids’ Fitness, foreign language learning, Music and Movement and more

Large Motor/Outdoor Exploration

Run, play with friends, dance and sing while exploring different activities, building relationships with schoolmates

Lunch

Nourish the mind, body and wind down for rest time

Rest Time

Rest the mind and relax the body from a day of learning

Snack

Refueling the body while learning more about healthy foods and eating habits

Active Learning/Outside Exploration

Learning in large groups to explore nature, weather, animals, outdoor games etc.

Summary Circle

Share with friends and staff what you learned today, practice speaking, listening and taking turns

Departure

Pick up and transition from child care classroom to home with parents

Core Learning Areas

We work every day to make each interaction a learning moment for your child. Our core curriculum areas for pre-kindergarteners include: 

• Literacy Pre-Writing Skills: Expand vocabulary, model writing and letter practice
• Literacy Pre-Reading Skills: Learn interactive reading, book knowledge, print knowledge and take home family activities
• Mathematics: Understand number concepts of addition, subtraction and classification, structured activities and math games
• Science: Understand physical, life and environments
• Social Studies: Explore people, places and environments
• Arts: Learn dance moves, music, drama and visual arts
• Technology: Begin the basics of tools and technology
• Social and Emotional Development: Solve problems with peers, build relationships, develop self-regulation and understand social cues
• Physical Development: Practice large and fine motor skills by running, jumping and playing
• Healthy Habits: Understand healthy eating and personal safety, while building lifelong enjoyment of physical activities
• Body, Mind and Spirit: Develop social skills, core values and a foundation for social responsibility

Policies

Providing a safe, secure and predictable environment is a top priority for every YMCA Early Childhood Learning Center. Learn more about how we provide:

• Nap and rest time
• Food and nutrition
• Behavior guidance
• Accommodation and individual care plans
• Child illness policy

Our Pre-Kindergarten Classrooms

Playsets and learning activities with daily fitness and free time are all features in your pre-kindergartener’s cornerstones for growth. Learning through play and structured activities help build on accomplishments and master new, age-appropriate skills.