Kindergarten Program
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Kindergarten Bridge Class (for TK and Kindergarten age)
Why Under the Oaks Kindergarten May be the Best Alternative for Your Child.
We know that at the age of 5 and 6 social and emotional development is at least as important as learning ABCs. To prepare children for their next step into our academic world, Under the Oaks has created a bridge class to introduce the world of learning as children begin to emerge from the play land of early childhood.
Teaching children at this age to be test takers can lead to frustration and poor self esteem. Nurturing a creative learning environment provides a pathway for developing children’s natural excitement about learning.
Under the Oaks Kindergarden offers a Whole Child approach. Subjects are taught with hands on activities and in small groups. We use our natural canyon and organic garden outdoor spaces as a second classroom and will be taking field trips throughout the year. The emphasis is on discovery, conversation, collaboration, creativity and play.
Fridays will be our Immersion classes rotating every 6 weeks. Subjects will include Organic Gardening Spanish Immersion Maker Ceramics Yoga Tidepool Beach Oceanography
PreKindergarten Program for children 4 to 5 yrs old
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Pre Kindergarten
For children age 4-5 We offer classes from 4-5 days a week. This class will have up to 16 children with one teacher and one assistant. This class is from 8:30-2:30 with early care from 8:00 and after care available until 3:30pm.
Early in life, children learn from the inside out, using their senses, from doing, feeling and experiencing the natural world. Learning here takes place through imitation and example rather than through instruction. As they are rapidly changing, young children thrive on having a consistent and predictable rhythm of activities. There is a consistent flow of the day, the week and the seasons. The classroom is warm and inviting, providing a secure home like setting for a gentle transition to school. On a daily basis children have time for music, arts and crafts, circle time activities and time for free creative play. Our curriculum is inspired by Waldorf education.
Sequencing, sensory integration, eye-hand coordination tracking, appreciating the beauty of language and other basic skills necessary for the foundation of academic excellence are fostered in the kindergarten. In this natural, loving and creative environment, the children are given a range of activities and the structure that help prepare them for the next phase of school life. The teachers follow each child’s progress and interests to provide activities to continue the development of each child while allowing them to build a strong foundation and a sense of self.
Foundation
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The foundation of a child’s early years that preschool lays is now considered to be an important part of how a child sees life and builds character. It is through play that the expression of the child emerges. Nourishing the creative spirit, learning becomes a living force inside the children. This is about the soil of the child, building a sense of self and self esteem. Then, when the child gets into the later grades, the soil of their character is fertile.
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Our school is about building the foundations of a sense of self and building a place in the world.
Work
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Work is an important part of each day. Whether caring for the garden, baking bread or cleaning up after free play. They are working together or alongside peers to accomplish goals. They learn the value of each other’s contribution, a sense of responsibility and their own significance in the community.
Community Experience
We are creating a community that will deepen the connection of the world and the children. Visiting farms, local artists, and community landmarks.
Rhythm Of The Day
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Outside Time
There is time for expanding outward to develop the physical body, develop imaginative skills and deepen the connection with nature…. run, climb, build, explore and create!
Inside Time
Coming inside is a time for focusing activities such as artistic fine motor projects or listening to a story.
Circle Time
Circle time is a time for gathering together, for song, dance movement and language games.
