Children's Cottage Preschool

• Preschool - 2 years until entry into 1st Grade

Children's Cottage provides a safe and challenging learning environment where children are encouraged to explore, imagine, & learn as they socialize with their diverse group, fostering independent thinking while promoting  self discipline, self esteem, and respect for others. Our experienced inspiring teachers strive to create a lifelong love of learning by interacting with the whole group, small groups, direct instruction, and hands-on techniques using developmentally appropriate curriculum.

 

Social Development - Children are taught through purposeful interaction between students and staff, resulting in cooperative play, empathy for others, and positive problem solving techniques.

 

Reading Readiness - Our Integrated Total Language Program helps children become effective readers, writers, and communicators and prepares them for a successful elementary experience.

 

Math Readiness - Children are exposed to the concepts of number recognition, difference in size/volume, sequencing, and sorting.  These concepts form the solid foundation to prepare for elementary school.

 

Science & Nature - Our activity-based program explores our environment as we recognize weather and seasonal changes around us.  We learn the responsibility of caring for and feeding our classrooms pets.

 

Art & Music- Crafts projects encourage fine motor skill development as children learn to cut with scissors, hold a pencil or crayon correctly, or color within boundries.  Music & movement expose children to fine arts and provide opportunities for self expression.

 

 

The large, light filled room divided into learning centers is easily the most beautiful pre-kindergarten environment in Napa County. There is a library loft, dramatic play area with playhouse, dolls, and dress up clothes. Often the dramatic play area becomes a castle or space ship to enhance themes and learning. The Math & Science area has manipulatives for math play and a pretend grocery store for practical math application. Science & Math themes such as outer and inner space as well as planting and growing a garden are some activities the children love. The Puzzle area and Cutting Station promote brain development through fine motor skills and discovery. The Art area always has easels, paint, scissors, paper, glue, markers, crayons, clay, glitter, and a plethora of "free art" available. Additionally, children often embark on an art activity that may last for months. Smooth glass collage and wire sculpture are art projects that the children continue working on as long as they are passionate about the project. The children become quite accomplished artists.

 Why should you invest in quality preschool?

There has been some discussion in about the long-term benefits of preschool. But let me be clear: There is no debate over the benefits of quality preschool. Extensive research has consistently shown that quality preschool programs, taught by well-trained teachers, improve not only readiness to learn, but also social skills that help children for a lifetime.  We know from decades of solid research and teacher observations that children who have been lucky enough to go to quality preschool enter kindergarten excited about learning, ready to share, communicate and cooperate with others. Perhaps most important, these lucky kids have a good foundation for learning to read -- the skill they will most need to thrive through high school and beyond. Let's agree that all California kids should be so lucky.  Former California Superintendent of Schools

How important is preschool?

"There's increasing evidence that children gain a lot from going to preschool," says Parents advisor Kathleen McCartney, PhD, dean of Harvard Graduate School of Education, in Cambridge, Massachusetts. "At preschool, they become exposed to numbers, letters, and shapes. And, more important, they learn how to socialize -- get along with other children, share, contribute to circle time."

Statistics show that a majority of kids attend at least one year of preschool: According to the National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER), more than two-thirds of 4-year-olds and more than 40 percent of 3-year-olds were enrolled in a preschool in 2005. "Children who attend high-quality preschool enter kindergarten with better pre-reading skills, richer vocabularies, and stronger basic math skills than those who do not," says NIEER director W. Steven Barnett, PhD.

"Every child should have some sort of group experience before he starts kindergarten," says Amy Flynn, director of New York City's Bank Street Family Center.

Your child will learn how to raise her hand, take turns, and share the teacher's attention. What's more, she'll learn how to separate from Mommy, who often stays in a music or gym class. All of this makes for an easier transition to kindergarten. "Kindergarten teachers will tell you that the students who are ready to learn are those who come into school with good social and behavior-management skills," Smith says.

In fact, educators have so recognized the importance of giving kids some form of quality early education that about 40 states now offer state-funded pre-K programs.

What will my child learn?

In addition to strengthening socialization skills -- how to compromise, be respectful of others, and problem-solve -- preschool provides a place where your child can gain a sense of self, explore, play with her peers, and build confidence. "Kids in preschool discover that they are capable and can do things for themselves -- from small tasks like pouring their own juice and helping set snack tables to tackling bigger issues like making decisions about how to spend their free time," says Angela Capone, PhD, senior program manager at Southwest Human Development's Arizona Institute for Childhood Development, in Phoenix. "Plus, 4- and 5-year-olds have begun asking some wonderful questions about the world around them -- what happens to the water after the rain? Do birds play? Quality preschools help children find answers through exploration, experimentation, and conversation."

Your child attending a quality preschool program such as Children's Cottage is really an investment in their future.  Quality early care & education helps socialize your child and make them better prepared for elementary school.  With that academic advantage, they are more likely to attend college and and find a satisfying, well paying career.  A wise investment in their future made in the preschool years will pay dividends for the rest of their lives.

 

 

Give your child the academic advantage with Children's Cottage!