Preschool Program
Our preschool program (ages 3-5) is designed to support the whole child.
Preschool Program Highlights
- Children have many of opportunities to play outdoors and explore nature
- Morning half-day and full-day programs available
- Small class sizes to offer individual attention
- Curriculum is designed to meet your child’s interests and needs
- Master-level teachers provide developmentally appropriate learning activities throughout the day
OUR CHILD-CENTERED PHILOSOPHY
In our preschool, we embrace a child-centered philosophy that supports social and intellectual development through a balance of structure and play. Our teachers, all with degrees in education, facilitate learning through inquiry-based approaches. We encourage critical thinking by providing children with materials to explore and discover.
Inquiry-Based Learning
Our inquiry-based approach is dynamic and responsive to children’s interests. Teachers select topics that invite exploration and provide gateways for students to explore their world. You may catch us studying the life-cycles of butterflies or visiting the College’s kitchen to launch a dramatic play unit on cooking . Our approach supports learning that is engaging and relevant..
Arts Integration
We place a strong emphasis on arts integration throughout our curriculum. This includes incorporating dance and song based on current topics of study, using visual arts as a means to explore and understand various subjects, and teaching writing skills alongside artistic expression. This comprehensive approach to arts integration helps children engage with learning materials through multiple modalities, enhancing their understanding and creativity.
Creative Expression
Our curriculum integrates open-ended and process-oriented art activities, fostering creativity and self-expression. We believe that allowing children to explore art without predetermined outcomes encourages innovative thinking and builds confidence.
Social-Emotional Development
Social-emotional development is a key focus in our program. We work to provide children with tools to understand and manage their feelings. Our approach includes helping students learn to identify and talk about their emotions, laying a foundation for emotional intelligence and healthy interpersonal relationships.
Child-Directed Learning
Throughout the day, children engage in choice-driven work time, allowing them to pursue their interests while teachers introduce educational goals through play. This approach respects children’s autonomy while ensuring they meet important developmental milestones.
Multi-age Classes
We believe in the power of multi-age learning environments. Rather than grouping children strictly by age, we create groups based on interests and abilities. This approach allows for peer learning, where younger children can be inspired by older ones, and older children can reinforce their knowledge by helping younger peers. It also recognizes that children develop at different rates in different areas, allowing teachers to present students with the right challenges at the right time.
Daily Schedule: Half and Full Day Options
Our schedule is designed to provide a mix of activities that support all areas of development. This includes personalized sign-ins to practice writing, lively opening circles with singing and movement, choice-driven work time, and arts integration activities.
Families may elect for morning (8:30 am – 11:30 am) or full day (8:30 am – 3:30 pm) preschool, and before and after school options are available [linked to before and after school]..
Assessment and Parent Involvement
We believe in ongoing assessment to track each child’s progress and tailor our approach to their needs. Our methods include teacher-created assessments based on developmentally appropriate goals and the High/Scope approach to early childhood assessment.
We keep parents informed about their child’s progress, recognizing the crucial role of family involvement in early education. Conferences occur each October and April but we invite families to reach out if they would like to meet more frequently about specific concerns.
CSSC hosts several events for families each year and has an active Family Association.
Contact Us
The Children’s SChool
Chelsae Cordia, Administrative Assistant
(573) 876-7260
childrenschool@stephens.edu1200 E. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65215