Sending your child to preschool is a big and exciting step! If you have a baby or a toddler, it’s never too early to start planning for Pre-K. In fact, early planning gives you more time to learn about different programs and educational approaches, talk to different schools, and even schedule tours of the preschools you’re most interested in.
But aren’t all preschools the same? We hear this question a lot, and the short answer is “no.” Some preschools take more of a daycare approach with little focus on academics. And even among schools with a more academic approach, there are many different teaching styles and philosophies.
At St. Barnabas Episcopal School, we offer a nurturing, Bible-based preschool program called K4. We’re really proud of our K4 program, and we believe it offers an incredible opportunity for students to grow academically and socially. But don’t just take our word for it! We encourage you to search broadly and also consider other preschools that align with your family’s needs and values.
The following are three questions we suggest asking when considering a Pre-K program.
How does the school approach academics?
Some preschools contrast plenty of loose playtime with very structured academic learning through traditional lectures, worksheets, and flashcards. Others seek to blend academics and play, incorporating more hands-on activities to teach students factual knowledge, problem solving, and social skills at the same time. You know your child best; what type of academic environment do you think they’ll thrive in?
At St. Barnabas in DeLand, our K4 program is more academically rigorous than most. However, we have a strong focus on hands-on, active learning. We apply this philosophy throughout our school, but especially with the littler ones!
To keep K4 students engaged and interested, we assign every week a theme. Students explore this theme through a range of subjects. We’ll find ways to weave it into math and science lessons, and even create related crafts. Some activities are done independently, and others are designed to help students learn teamwork and social skills.
Every student is an individual – even when they’re young! We suggest looking for a preschool that exposes students to many areas of study. You never know what lifelong passion just waits to be discovered in the classroom. At St. Barnabas, our K4 students attend one special area class each day. These classes include Library, Spanish, Physical Education, and Art. There’s nothing like watching a child’s eyes light up when they first discover they have a God-given gift for painting, music, or even storytelling.
Will your child learn skills to prepare them for kindergarten?
Entering kindergarten can be a big transition, so the best preschools aim to teach children skills to prepare them for kindergarten. If your child enters kindergarten with a strong foundation, they’ll have an easier time adjusting and learning the material.
Not only will a solid skill base make it easier for your child to “keep up” in class, but it will also help build their confidence. Your child will come to know, early on, that they are capable of learning and understanding new concepts. This confidence will continue to help them achieve throughout grade school, high school, and beyond.
St. Barnabas has a rigorous and well-rounded kindergarten curriculum, and our K4 program is uniquely designed to prepare children for that program. By the time they finish K4, your child will have been introduced to the foundations for writing, math, science, art, and even social studies. They’ll not just be prepared, but also excited, to keep learning more about these subjects next year.
We’re so confident in our K4 program that students who enter are also guaranteed a spot in kindergarten the following year. This is just one more reason to plan ahead!
What are the school’s standards?
Does the school have academic standards for their preschoolers, or do they take more of a daycare approach? Ask questions about how teachers are selected and how the school approaches education, in general.
We choose our K4 teachers just as carefully as our teachers for any other grade. Our teachers are not only experts in their fields, but also aligned with our values of Faith, Virtue, and Excellence.
In our K4 program and beyond, we aim to educate the whole child. We’re careful to balance academic rigor with opportunities for students to grow socially, emotionally, and in their faith.
If you keep these questions in mind while looking for a Pre-K program, we’re confident you’ll find the perfect place for your child to learn and grow. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any other questions about the K4 program at St. Barnabas. We look forward to meeting you and your family.
