Looking for a Good Pre-k Program That Will Prepare Daughter for Kindergarten

I would suggest you google "kindergarten readiness" and see how you daughter falls under the general requirements listed. Does she know her numbers, letter, and colors? Can she try to write her name?

Hi G.,
We are in the Methacton School District. I have a daughter in 1st grade and one in preschool. I agree with the others that preschool is a time to learn social skills, not so much academic. With Methacton, after you sign your child up for Kindergarten, she will be assigned a day to come in for an assessment. Based on the assessment, the classes are chosen. We had an am and pm kindergarten and was told that they would try to mix up the abilities of the students so that it was a group of diverse abilities rather than a large group that was more proficient in reading, say. Even Kindergarten is more of a social learning experience. Our teacher spent most of the first part of the year just teaching the kids about expectations and routine (like coming in to class, hanging up your coat...)

So, I guess you should just go with your gut. My 1st daughter's preschool teacher did tell me that she would be ready for kindergarten and even though I knew she would be, it made me more comfortable to hear it from her. My other daughter is in a different program and is only 3, but I'll be curious to compare the two. This one seems much more laid back, but my daughter is doing well there.

Good Luck!
Jen

You have already received good feedback. I would like to add my 2 cents.. :D As an Early Childhood Educator we should know what the expectations of our local School Dirstrict (Kindergarten's)are. I do know from speaking with teachers in MY local district that they are more concerned about self help skills, and motor control as top on the list. When you have a group of 20-30 children it truly helps that they know how to at least put on their own coats, hats, boots, etc. Holding a scissors, pencil and sharing are also top on the list. Focused listening skills/following directions and managing bathroom needs are all as important as cognitive skills - recognizing shapes, colors and numbers. I own a a multi-age level Child Care.
Multi-age levels CAN work as long as the teacher is aware of the developmental needs of the children and the activities reflect that. I would question if she has any type of assessment tool that she uses to develop her activities for the children in her group. Does she send home reports on what your child is doing in class and how she is doing. Her strengths or areas that she needs help in? This is something that you would want to evaluate when deciding whether or not to change pre-school's.

I may be a little biased, but I would definitely recommend a Goddard School. I am a Pre-K assistant teacher and my son is in the 2 year old class. All teachers in the preschool classes have degrees in education or something comparable. The classes are separated by age according to when they'll be entering kindergarten so everyone in my class will be 5 before sept 31 of this year. We have an education based program and we include spanish, sign language, yoga, a guide for getting along, and a phys ed program of sorts in each week. Each school is individually owned, but we are overseen by a corporate office who does routine, surprise inspections that keep everyone in check. We're worth looking into if you want a program that will ensure your children are ready for kindergarten. As I said, my son is in the 2 year old program and he can currently count to 30, he knows all his colors in english and spanish, he knows all his shapes, he recognizes letters from A-K, and he's starting to learn many of his animals in spanish as well.

Hi,

I used to live in the Collegeville area - small world. Anyway, my kids went to a preschool that had different ages separated which worked out well. Unless, your school separates them in groups, I don't see how they can get age appropriate activities b/w 3 and 5 yrs. That can be a big difference. My kids were learning alphabet, shapes, word recognition to name some activities, but just the social aspect of 3 to 5 yrs. is huge. Not sure if your Kdgtn. program is 1/2 day or full, but ours was full and the preschool did help with that some academically, but a lot concerning social skills. 3 year olds are on a different level of socializing. Good luck and if they are separated in groups at least to some degree would be helpful.
L.

most important is socialization is the child able to seperate from the mother/father for long periods of time.

do they have full or 1/2 day kindergarten

,ost schools do screeening, basically to see if kid can go off on own and they ask simple questions, name, age, some abc's colors they look to see if speech or any other big problem.

Some kids will know how to write some won't and sometimes best when they don't

follow simple directions don't fret too much, not all kids go to preschool.

some of mine have and some haven't and really not much of a difference at all academically.

Hey G. -

I agree with some of the other responses - you need to go through the kindergarten readiness checklist...but she is only 3.5...so it is a little early yet.

When I was working full-time - my sons attended Goddard. My oldest is now in Kindergarten and is doing well. His teacher said he is up to speed on all the basics (colors, numbers, shapes. He is working on reading words and writing. My youngest just turned 3...and we now have him at Trinity County Nursery School off of 363. I am VERY happy with it. Not too intense at this age...but he is learning the basics (as well as how to follow direction from a teacher). Good luck with your decision. There are a lot of great schools in the area.

HI G., First you should call your local elementary school (the one your child will attend in the fall) and find out if there are any requirements for entering their kindergarden program. Some schools have no requirements some schools test for readiness. Your school secertary (always the single most knowledgable person in the school) will be able to answer any of your questions and if you are really worried about it may be able to suggest a good pre-K program in your area. It's been my experience that as long as your child can write her first name, recite her address and phone number and knows how to behave in a classroom type setting she is ready to go! Hopefully you have a full day Kindergarden program in your school district, in my own experience they are far better than half-day programs. Best wishes.

Have you tried your local Headstart programs they are excellent they know what your school district expects of our little ones and really helps give tham a head star . thats what the program is all about.

i have heard chesterbrook is good..we go to the movie church but they arent learning alot..they do have fun tho

I have taught before in a mixed age group setting. From the teacher's perspective it can be a real challenge but the children learn so much from each other. There is alot of confidence building when an older child can "help" a younger one. And the younger ones are eager to do what the older kids do. It can be a real positive experience just as far as the emotional, social, self-esteem aspect goes.
If you are concerned about kindergarten readiness, then follow the advice you've been given to call the district or check on line- scholastic.com has some good info. Keep in mind that alot of what prepares a child for kindergarten is their ability to follow directions, the ability to sit and listen to a story or stay on task for an activity, being comfortable in a group, having group social skills etc etc. It isn't all abc's and 123's. And to be perfectly honest unless this preschool program is just a free for all romper room, I would imagine your daughter knows quite a bit about letter names, and sorting, and group sets of objects and even quantifing or will by the end of the year.
It is unfortunate that the teacher wasn't able to give you information about kindergarten readiness. maybe you could print something off and give it to her. If she is a decent teacher she is probably already doing alot to prepare the kids even if she doesn't actually realize what your particular district is saying they want the children to be able to do. I would imagine that she should have some sort of guidelines or goals if not a set out curriculumm.
Finally, it never hurts to compare other preschools. Take a look around and see if you can find one that gives you a better vibe. But it should be less about the acedemics at this age and more about exploring the world and asking questions and have experiences (which is really acedemics just disguised as fun- shhh don't tell the kids)

Good luck!

Your best bet is to call your school district and they will let you know what to prepare for.

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets

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Hi G.,

I am in agrteement with most of the people who already wrote to you. While preschool is where the children learn through play it needs to be a structured play. A good preschool has a curriculum/outline on what is taught. A good preschool will partner with the local school districts to make sure they are teaching the skills to get your child ready for kindergarden. A good preschool can answer these questions. Id doesn't sound like your preschool can even answer your questions.

A structured curriculum creates well-balanced learning. Imagine working out only your legs and not the rest of your body. You now have fantastic legs but everything else is out of shape.

Goodluck in your quest!!

Kids enter kindergarten at all different skill levels. Some can read, count, know colors and shapes. And some will enter kindergarten not knowing some or all of these things. It is the kindergarten teachers job to make sure that all the kids are brought up to speed by the time they finish kindergarten. If you are still unsure, call your local school district and speak to one of the kindergarten teachers. They will be more than willing to answer your questions or concerns.

I had my 1st daughter in a program that wasn't very academic and thought the same, it's about socialization. I regret not looking around more b/c she struggled in Kindergarten. There was nothing wrong w/ the school but it wasn't what I wanted I just didn't know it yet w/ my 1st one.

When we moved, I put my other daughter in a Montessori pre-school with all the ages together and my only regret is that I didn't do it for the first one.(each program is only as good as the teachers of course)

My 4yr old is actually reading some!!! She's light years ahead of my oldest at the same age and I've watched, they have plenty of fun it isn't work work work at the school.

Trust your gut, if you're wondering, there is a reason why you are...

If you contact the school district, or stop by, they should have a brochure with info re kindergarten readiness; our district has brochures for every grade. Preschool isn't for academics, it's to learn to be a social, emotional member of the community...learning through play.

Chances are the things on the kindergarten readiness list are skills you already are teaching your child at home, through everyday living and learning...the alphabet and minor reading, perhaps, as she "reads" the cereal box or books or street signs; colors as she points to anything in the home; how to write her own name; etc.

I am surprsied that the preschool teacher is not aware of the kindergarten readiness requirements.

Good luck!

I do not live in your district so can not properly advise a pre k program but I am a kindergarten teacher. I do have a handful of children each year that come to me with very little kindergarten skills. There are some simple things you can work with her and ask her school if they do: recognize and write her first name, identify simple shapes(circles, squares, rectangles, triangles), identify simple colors, count 0 - 10, recognize a majority of letters and some letter sounds.
I recommend reading short stories each day, this helps the child learn to sit and listen for a period of time, ask some simple questions about the story. I have two young children and I take opportunities to point things out when we are outside or wathcing tv (pointing out colors and shapes, counting, singing).
I really hope this helps you.
A.

You sound like you are concerned most about kindergarten readiness/preparedness. I think if you have a good pre-school, you would already know - you wouldn't need to worry about it. I agree the pre-school teacher should know what is expected of them when they leave to enter kindergarten.

At my granddaughter's pre-school, we can see what she is learning. Each week has a number and letter recognition program. They write it, bring in items starting with the letter. I can really say that the 4 year olds know their letters and numbers. They all write their own name on papers and crafts they do each day. The three year olds concentrated on learning colors, shapes, sitting quietly for stories, classroom rules. There is a parent teacher conference every year that goes over the child's socialization and academic progress, and shows where they are on a kindergarten readiness scale.

Most important is a clean, happy room. But it will make kindergarten so much easier if the children have a foundation of basic knowledge. Ask any kindergarten teacher who is trying to teach kids entering with all different abilities when they arrive, trying to get them all to the same place by the end of the year, when they have to write a sentence by themselves, count to 100 by 2's, 5's and 10's, etc. This will be so difficult for them if they can't even recognize their letters or numbers or write their own name when they arrive.

Check on-line for kindergarten readiness tests. If your child can do most of what is listed I wouldn't worry. You may be able to fill in the gaps at home. But if the child is way below the listed skills, I might consider a different pre-school to make kindergarten a wonderful, rewarding experience for your child, instead of a frustrating one because he/she can't do what the others can.