Welcome to preschool!

Our preschool sessions meet 4 days a week, every day except for Wednesdays, for 2.5 hours. During our time together our goal is to help children develop a love of school and learning at an early age. We strive to make strong, loving and lasting connections with kids, creating a comfort equivalent to home. Our preschool model offers both age-based and multi-age, inclusive classrooms. Our classrooms are inclusive of all academic and behavioral needs. We are committed to a 2:1 ratio which is an evidence-based best practice. This means our classrooms have two typically developing peer models for every one student requiring specially designed instruction. Our class is designed to help foster social and emotional development, build empathy and compassion for all learning needs, and inspire creative, respectful, confident and independent learners that will transition into elementary school seamlessly. 

The AM Class at the Heights Learning Center meets from 8:40 AM to 11:10 AM

The PM Class at the Heights Learning Center meets from 12:20 PM to 2:50 PM

The AM Class at the Papermaker Branch meets from 8:30 AM to 11:00 AM

The PM Class at the Papermaker Branch meets from 12:30 - 3:00 PM

*Class times are subject to change.

Communication

Teachers will use the Brightwheel app to send classroom communication. This includes activity information, pictures, important dates and events throughout the year and any other important information that pertains to the entire classroom. 

Teachers will communicate specific information with parents about their individual student through confidential email. Feel free to message your child's  teacher with any questions you have about how your child is doing in class! 

Please download the Brightwheel app.

Assessment and Conferences

Teachers will conduct one social/emotional and skill assessment mid year and one at the end of the year. Assessments will be used to determine where kiddos need more love and support. The top priority will be on social/emotional and problem solving skills. 

One parent/teacher conference will be held following the completion of the spring assessment. Format and exact date of the conference will be determined by your child's teacher closer to the event. If your student receives specially designed instruction, their IEP review will be their opportunity for conference. You may request a conference with your child's teacher at any time of the year and they will be happy to schedule a time to check in. 

Preschool Scope and Sequence at a Glance

Our program serves students who are 3-5 years old in the same classroom. This model has many benefits for all students. In the Scope and Sequence document linked below you will find the learning continuum of skills. These were developed using the Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines. We want to stress that learning happens in stages, not ages. If your child is close to five years old, you should not expect them to be a Practitioner of a certain skill if they have not  first gone through the Novice and Emerging stages. All students develop at their own pace, and our classrooms are designed to promote engagement and learning for students at all stages, so they will be ready to transition to kindergarten when the time comes. We will use an A/B schedule of themes so that students who attend our preschool for multiple years will not repeat the same themes, arts/crafts, and theme related activities each year. Our learning guidelines will be consistent each year. The scope and sequence linked below is our A schedule. The themes for our B schedule (2025/2026) are still being refined and will be linked as soon as they are finalized.

Curriculum

We will be using Second Step for Early Learning curriculum in our multi-age classes.

Interested in more information about the curriculum? https://www.secondstep.org/early-learning-curriculum

Preschool Achievement Goals

Achievement Goals are milestones we hope to accomplishment by the time your student transitions to kindergarten. The highest priority in preschool is to prepare students by developing their social emotional skills, self regulation, and the characteristics of a successful learner. Students will also participate in early numeracy and literacy activities that will prepare them for the transition to kindergarten. If your child qualifies for specially designed instruction and have an Individual Education Plan (IEP), they will have individualized goals that are carefully monitored by the classroom team to measure growth. They will receive their related services as a seamless part of the classroom experience. The team will make accommodations and modifications as needed for all students so they can be successful in the classroom.

Priority Standards