Pre-K

Integrated within Preschool Classrooms | Kindergarten Preparation Focus

Our Pre-Kindergarten program represents the pinnacle of our early childhood curriculum, specifically designed for children in the year before kindergarten entry. This comprehensive program builds upon the foundation established in our preschool classrooms while intensifying focus on school readiness skills, academic concepts, and the social-emotional competencies essential for kindergarten success.

Program Philosophy: The Pre-K year is a critical bridge between early childhood and formal schooling. Our program recognizes that four and five-year-old children are capable, curious learners who thrive when provided with intentional instruction balanced with child-initiated exploration. We create a rich learning environment where children develop confidence as learners, build independence, and cultivate the joy of discovery that will serve them throughout their educational journey.

Our Pre-K program ensures that your child enters kindergarten confident, capable, and ready to thrive in the next chapter of their educational journey, while maintaining the nurturing, faith-filled environment that characterizes all North Hills programming.

Kindergarten Readiness Focus Areas:

  • Letter recognition and identification (uppercase and lowercase)

  • Letter-sound correspondence and phonological awareness

  • Print concepts and book handling skills

  • Name recognition and writing

  • Pre-writing skills and emergent writing

  • Vocabulary expansion through rich conversations and read-alouds

  • Comprehension skills through interactive storytelling

  • Recognition of environmental print and familiar words

  • Number recognition, counting, and one-to-one correspondence

  • Early addition and subtraction concepts

  • Pattern recognition and creation

  • Shape identification and geometric understanding

  • Measurement concepts (length, weight, capacity, time)

  • Data collection and simple graphing

  • Sorting, classifying, and comparing

  • Spatial reasoning and problem-solving

  • Observation and inquiry skills

  • Hypothesis formation and testing

  • Cause and effect exploration

  • Life science concepts (living things, growth, habitats)

  • Physical science exploration (properties of matter, force and motion)

  • Earth and space science awareness (weather, seasons, natural world)

  • Engineering design process introduction

  • Environmental stewardship and care for creation

  • Self-identity and family structures

  • Community helpers and occupations

  • Rules, responsibilities, and citizenship

  • Cultural awareness and diversity appreciation

  • Geography basics (maps, locations, environments)

  • Time concepts (yesterday, today, tomorrow; calendar skills)

  • Economic concepts (wants vs. needs, basic concepts of money)

  • Self-regulation and emotional management

  • Independence in self-care tasks (coat, shoes, bathroom, washing hands)

  • Following multi-step directions

  • Attention and focus during group instruction

  • Cooperation and collaborative problem-solving

  • Conflict resolution and peaceful problem-solving

  • Resilience and persistence through challenges

  • Positive self-concept and confidence as a learner

  • Empathy and perspective-taking

  • Classroom routines and expectations

  • Fine motor skills essential for writing (pencil grip, cutting, manipulating tools)

  • Gross motor coordination and body awareness

  • Healthy habits and self-care

  • Safety awareness and following safety rules

  • Outdoor play and physical activity

  • Visual arts exploration with various media

  • Music and rhythm activities

  • Dramatic play and role-playing

  • Creative problem-solving

  • Self-expression through multiple modalities

Our Pre-K program continues to integrate Christian values and biblical principles throughout all learning experiences. Children explore stories of faith, develop an understanding of God’s love for them, practice kindness and compassion modeled by Jesus, and celebrate their unique gifts as children of God.

Our Pre-K curriculum employs a balanced instructional model that includes:

  • Large Group Instruction: Morning meetings, story time, music and movement, and concept introduction

  • Small Group Learning: Targeted skill development, guided reading, math manipulatives, and collaborative projects

  • Learning Centers: Self-directed exploration in literacy, math, science, dramatic play, blocks, art, and sensory areas

  • One-on-One Support: Individualized attention addressing each child’s specific learning needs

  • Outdoor Learning: Nature exploration, gross motor development, and scientific observation

  • Project-Based Learning: In-depth investigations of topics of interest that integrate multiple content areas

We recognize that the transition to kindergarten is significant for both children and families. Our Pre-K program includes specific supports to ease this transition:

  • Kindergarten Readiness Assessments: Regular monitoring of skills development across all domains

  • Family-Teacher Conferences: Detailed discussions of your child’s readiness and next steps

  • Kindergarten Preparation Activities: Practice with routines, expectations, and skills needed for success

  • School Visit Coordination: When possible, connections with local elementary schools

  • Transition Resources for Families: Guides and tips for supporting your child through this change

  • Portfolio Development: Comprehensive documentation of your child’s learning and growth

  • Summer Bridge Activities: Suggested activities to maintain skills over the summer months

The Pre-K day includes longer periods of focused instruction while maintaining the play-based, child-centered approach that characterizes quality early childhood education. A typical day includes morning meeting/circle time, literacy instruction, mathematics exploration, choice/center time, outdoor play, rest/quiet time, science or social studies investigation, creative arts, and closing circle.

Family involvement remains central in the Pre-K year. We encourage families to:

  • Read with your child daily (20+ minutes)

  • Practice emerging skills at home (counting, letter identification, name writing)

  • Attend family engagement events and workshops

  • Communicate regularly with teachers about your child’s progress

  • Participate in classroom celebrations and special events

  • Share your child’s interests, strengths, and any concerns

We recognize that children develop at different rates and have unique learning profiles. Our Pre-K teachers differentiate instruction to meet each child where they are and provide appropriate challenges and support. Children who are ready for additional challenge receive enrichment opportunities, while those needing extra support receive targeted interventions within the regular classroom setting.

We use ongoing, authentic assessment to monitor each child’s development across all domains. Assessment methods include observation, work samples, developmental checklists, and documentation of learning. Families receive regular updates about their child’s progress and are partners in supporting continued growth.

By the end of the Pre-K year, children typically demonstrate readiness for kindergarten across multiple dimensions. While development varies by individual, most children will recognize and name most letters, understand letter-sound relationships, count to 20 or beyond, demonstrate one-to-one correspondence, write their name, follow classroom routines independently, engage cooperatively with peers, persist through challenging tasks, demonstrate self-regulation skills appropriate for kindergarten settings, and express enthusiasm for learning and school.