Why Pre-Kindergarten?

Are you wondering if sending your child to Pre-K is the right thing to do? Are you wondering if you will be welcome to participate in your child's class? Well, the answer is simple. Pre-Kindergarten is fun, educational, and a great experience in socialization. Exposure to other children in a class setting is very helpful for your child and will allow him/her to better handle the transition into Kindergarten.

We believe in educating the "whole child" by focusing on intellectual, social, emotional, physical and creative growth. This approach lends value to the rich diversity of culture that children bring to the classroom. Our philosophy is to provide a stimulating environment in which activities are planned to meet the need of each child at his or her own level and rate of development .

Learning is spontaneous, children learn from each other and teachers act as facilitators in the learning process. We maintain a balance between child-initiated and teacher-directed activities. Most teacher-directed activities are open-ended, allowing students to work at his/her own pace and, for the more able student, to extend their thinking and achievement. Problem solving and creativity are readily encouraged, and children are also invited to work independently as well as cooperatively with other classmates. The classroom is designed to encourage play and exploration and includes centers for dramatic play, art, math, language arts, science, reading and writing; each center is stocked with stimulating hands-on materials. Children are free to experience, react, think and thus grow and change in their own way. Most importantly, we want to make the experience of school a positive one ensuring a smooth transition from home to school, making it a happy place to come to every day.

The program offers an exciting and challenging curriculum of Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Music, Art, Library, and Outdoor Gross Motor. All subject areas are covered using an integrated approach with themes that are based on curriculum requirements as well as individual needs and interests. There are also computers in the classroom available for use to enhance beginning technology skills.

The Pre-Kindergarten learning environment is caring, nurturing, culturally affirming and safe. It focuses on the development of a positive self-concept within each child. The Pre-K has an "open door" policy in which parents, caregivers, and extended family members are welcome to participate in all activities, creating an atmosphere where children can learn from family members as well as the Pre-Kindergarten staff. We believe that family must serve as partners with the child and his/her teachers in developing the child's physical, intellectual, emotional, and social potentials.

The focus on parent and family involvement in Pre-Kindergarten is important to the child's well-being and development. The benefits for children of parent involvement range from improved cognitive functioning to greater school success. Teachers benefit by gaining greater knowledge of the child, his or her family, and the community in which they reside. Parents and staff benefit by working together as role models and teachers to their children.

I am certain that you and your child will enjoy the Pre-Kindergarten program at Brock. Your child will leave my classroom on most days with a project or activity in his/her hand. He/She will leave my classroom every day having learned something new and with the secure feeling of knowing that he/she is loved.

You made a good choice when you enrolled your child in our Pre-Kindergarten program. This is not just your child's Pre-K class, parents are enrolled also. We are a family, these are not just your kids anymore; your kids have become our kids.