Play Based, Kindergarten prep, including math, music, science, art, imaginary jungle tours, fire fighter visits and good friends.
What do these all have in common?
These all happen in the daily preschool programming for children 3 months - 5 years. Still with all that, students are so excited for their daily adventures at school they celebrate when their friends arrive.
Each month our classrooms work on a storyline basis. Students at Cedar Rapids Preschool learn to work as a group, problem solving skills and concept development. This month we are traveling around the world. We are learning about camera's, taking pictures, eating foods varying from such countries Greece, Japan, China and England.
Child Care is often used to also describe preschool. In Iowa, Child Care is a program regulated by the State of Iowa. This would include Preschools that offer programming that is 4 plus hours per day, or full day programs. With Cedar Rapids Preschool, we offer full week or part week programming for students.
What makes Cedar Rapids Preschool unique?
At Cedar Rapids Preschool our focus is the child as a whole. Social Emotional development is a critical building block helping students through out their academic lives. Utilizing small group interactions, story telling, dealing with "hard things" like waiting for another child to finish play before beginning their play, learning to use words for our needs and desires- being in Preschool helps to develop the Social Emotional frame work our students need to be successful in their academic years.
Play has a vital role in our schools
Helping students problem solve by being available in "the moment" of of learning as moderators, enables students to feel confident and safe when traversing these new grounds with friends. Our teachers do not solve the problem for our students but help our students figure out what is needed in the moment of their learning.
Academics play a part during our morning activities
Students utilize Experience Early Learning curriculum (also known as Mother Goose Time, see link for more details). This is an outcomes based curriculum allowing teachers to scaffold learning based upon student needs.
Outdoor play is perhaps our favorite high light in all of our programs
Getting outside is vital to the mental health of our students... and gives everyone a chance to spend a little extra energy. Digging in the dirt, climbing a wall, negotiating rocks, passing through dark slides, picking blackberries, making mud pies -this is what childhood is about at Cedar Rapids Preschool. Students love to dig and plant gardens in the spring and enjoy the veggies grown by summer.
Here's what we pack into one day
AM Preschool : Aimed towards helping students progress to the next level of learning based upon where they are developmentally, working on fine motor skills, colors, numbers, letters, shapes, sequencing, language and interpersonal skills all through art. The children have no idea they are learning, the fun being had and giggles all around convince you this is just another form of play.
Art Station: Goal is self expression. Children work on following instructions as well as imagination. Students learn with different kinds of media from acrylics, watercolors, clay, color pencils, photography, sculptures, paper mac he', wall mural, finger pain, tempera paint, collage and much more!
Art: Self expression and creativity. Students are taught starting with the basics up through intermediate art theories and art expressions.
Solid Teachers: With Ms Ruth and Russ having dedicated 20 years to early childhood education, you are guaranteed to have consistent faces. We work to hire the best teachers in the industry with cutting edge pay and benefits. Teachers enjoy working with us and make this a career path.
Reach Your Teacher: Just pick up the phone and you can reach your child's teacher at any time. Rather text in, we can do that too. We also have an app to allow parents to message throughout the day if that is easier.
Music: Music time teaches counting, volume control, body movement/control, vocalization, acceptance and values. Music is played in every classroom all day long outside of preschool music time. Folk songs, swing, big band, children's hip hop and classical are all just a small sampling of the styles played at the child care. Summer school includes a special unit on musical instruments and rhythm.
Private Park Setting: The outdoor space at Cedar Rapids Preschool consists of nearly 1/4 acre of room for your baby. Shade trees, grass, fresh fruits and veggies in the garden and toddler friendly equipment. Your child can enjoy the sun and shade in the serene setting.
Parent Socials: twice a year Cedar Rapids Preschool has parent socials (when there are not COVID restrictions). This is a great way to meet other families in the Child Care and mingle.
Yearly Plays by Preschoolers: This is a great way to teach speaking skills, how truth and pretend relate to a preschoolers life, memorization and fun. After each skit is complete, parents have the option to purchase copies for keepsakes for friends and family.
Essential Oils: supporting play, learning and quiet time -all natural essential oil scents with one or two drops support the health and learning of our students as we transition to new activities through the day.
Teacher Lead Imaginary Play: safari's, submarine tours, Alaska iceberg tours, zoo visits and any where our imagination takes us.
Puppet Shows: Discussing the important issues for our students - sharing, caring, manners and our words.
Story Telling: Memorized stories teachers tell to students originating from Ireland, Africa, Scandinavia and personal experience. Students ask again and again for their personal favorites. New ones are introduced monthly.