Four Year Old Program

CURRICULUM The four year old curriculum offers a wide variety of age-appropriate activities and learning opportunities.  It provides a balance of self-selected and teacher-directed activities, individual and large group activities, as well as indoor and outdoor experiences.  Learning centers are provided that invite children to explore, experiment, create, and ask questions.  Our program is committed to providing an innovative and developmentally appropriate curriculum to help prepare each child for his/her next school experience. We use the Illinois Early Education Learning Standards and NAECY guidelines to validate our goals and targets for the students.

DAILY PROGRAM
There are two four year old classrooms:
Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings from 9-11:30 a.m.
Monday through Thursday afternoons from 12:30-3 p.m.

• Group times involving calendar & weather activities, reading & memory recall & sequencing, music & creative movement, language and math experiences, word wall words, graphing, and teacher motivation of themed lessons and projects.
• Daily activity or project to reinforce small motor skills, listening skills, cognitive skills, and independence.
• Center play where children choose their own activities: dramatic play, puzzles & books, blocks & math concepts, trucks & trains & legos, painting & free art projects, water table & science activities, writing & letter activities, and small manipulative play.
• Outdoor play on approved playground equipment in a park-like enclosed setting or indoor play on approved equipment in our gymnasium.
• Group snack time.

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OBJECTIVES
At age four to five, social cognition is becoming evident in the ability to make social judgments on the basis of prior experience.  Children at this age are able to use their observations of others, their own viewpoints, and their expectations of others to help shape their decision-making process.  Social cognition allows four and five year olds to learn by sharing their own experiences and relating them to the subject at hand.  Our preschool experience for this age group is still very ‘hands on’ allowing students to learn by involving themselves in exploring, discovering, and repeating lessons, ideas, and new concepts.  We encourage cognitive learning in the areas of early math & patterning, phonics & pre-literacy, writing, science, and music along with opportunities for small and large group interaction, classroom responsibility, independence, and self-confidence.

• Promote social skills such as respect, kindness, and empathy.
• Enhance self esteem through individual accomplishment.
• Learn how to value another person's rights by teaching respect for others.
• Encourage cognitive development and reasoning skills.
• Encourage pre-literacy and early math skills.
• Strengthen small motor skills using scissors and independent projects.
• Develop an appropriate pattern of dependence and independence.
• Foster a sense of continuity between school and the outside world.
• Create a place of community, teamwork, and friendship.
• Explore creativity and self-expression.

GOALS
We strive to nurture growth in the following areas:

• Self awareness
• Large motor skills
• Eye-hand coordination
• Social cooperation
• Personal independence
• Verbalizing thoughts into sentences
• Curiosity and awareness of the world
• Listening to and following directions
• Completing tasks
• Maintaining a positive self-image
• Accepting and managing responsibility
• Taking part in vocalization and rhythmical activities
• Experiencing original and creative self-expression
• Achieving self-discipline

REGISTRATION
Registration for each school year is open to alumni and church families in November.  Open registration for the public begins in January. Children entering the Four Year Old Program must be 4 years of age by September 1st of the current school year.

Application for the Four Year Old Program in Word or in Adobe Acrobat.

TUITION & FEES Tuition for the three-day morning class is $155 per month for 9 months. Tuition for four-day afternoon class is $187 per month for 9 months. The first monthly tuition payment is due on July 1st. Tuition payments may be made online using our Secure Transaction Form. A $15 activity fee is due in September to cover the cost of vision and hearing testing and field trips.

TRANSPORTATION
Parents are responsible for transporting their child to and from school.  In a designated loading area, teachers guide children as they enter and exit cars.

RELIGIOUS EMPHASIS
First Pres Preschool observes Christian holidays, sings a brief prayer before snack time, and fosters the kindness and community of Christian living.

LICENSING & POLICIES
First Pres Preschool is licensed by the Department of Children and Family Services of Illinois (DCFS).  It is in compliance with health and safety standards established by DCFS and the IL Department of Public Health.  Further policies are set by the Preschool Staff with the approval of the Session of First Presbyterian Church.