2 Year Olds

For many children entering the 2 Year Old program, this is their first group experience with same-age peers. We focus on social skills and on helping the child feel safe and comfortable when they are away from parents and home. Emphasis is placed on using words rather than acting out, and problem-solving tools are taught and modeled. We support children as they move from an egocentric orientation to an awareness of self in relation to others. This transition focuses on the development of socialization skills, including solitary, parallel and cooperative play. Through interaction with others, children practice problem-solving and language skills. Children begin to make individual choices while functioning with guidelines in a community of others their age.

At CCPS, many options help to stimulate and to expand all areas of development, including daily opportunities for children to make choices within learning centers. In addition, our program includes circle time, Bible stories, songs, arts and crafts and science, along with music and movement through fun, stimulating activities. An emphasis on building strong gross motor skills is also part of growing at this age, and is supported through physical actions designed to encourage this development. Exposure to library time, field trips, large motor activities and chapel are all a part of the 2 Year Old experience. While children in this age group are encouraged to be potty trained, this is not a requirement for enrollment, and our staff will work together with parents to provide the best environment for success in this area. The teacher-to-student ratio at this age is 1:8.

3 Year Olds

For children entering the 3 Year Old program at CCPS, there is an ever enlarging view of the world around them, with less egocentricity and more awareness of the people and things they encounter. As the community experience increases, social communication begins to play a larger role in children’s days. Whenever possible, children are encouraged to work together as team members, developing expressions of wants, needs and words of friendship, along with negotiation skills. They question the environment around them, make predictions, seek solutions and draw conclusions. As children’s attention spans increase, the complexity of work in learning centers is more extensive. Classroom projects reflect children’s interests as well as their innate curiosity. The structured curriculum includes Bible stories, phonics, math, language, science, music and movement. Chapel is provided to meet the developmental needs of the children. Circle and center times are critical in developing fine and gross motor skills. A wide variety of playtime activities which foster ideas of sharing, collaboration and teamwork are emphasized. Children enjoy library time, computer skills development and Spanish as enrichment opportunities. The teacher-to-student ratio at this age is 1:10.

Pre-Kindergarten

As children continue their kindergarten preparation and readiness, we stress our belief that it is the development of the child’s potential, their individuality and creativity within a loving and accepting atmosphere, which is most important. These children are given the opportunity to further increase their skills in language, math, science and the creative arts. Field trips are an integral part of the pre-kindergarten experience.

Each year, teachers select a variety of units critical to the growth of a four-year-old. Activities to support the curriculum include cooking; painting with hands, feet, brushes, sponges and other techniques; acting out stories; caring for pets; running and climbing; puzzles and games; singing; and learning about each other, their community, country and world.

Kindergarten preparation includes becoming more comfortable with a computer, developing complex logical patterns and handwriting practice. Pre-kindergarteners become aware of themselves as learners and begin to develop strategies for expressing their ideas in both spoken and written forms. Children develop multi-tasking skills, hand-eye coordination, rhythm, and tempo through lots of singing, dancing and rhyming. Enrichment continues in the areas of Spanish, library and computer skills. Our teacher-to- student ratio at the pre-kindergarten level is 1:12.

Daily Schedule

In an effort to accommodate a variety of learning needs and family schedules, CCPS provides full-time and part-time options for children. Flexible scheduling options include 2 days, 3 days, and 4-5 days per week. Support is available for children not yet potty trained.

Half-day programs: Monday - Friday, 7:00am-12:00pm

Full-day programs: Monday - Friday, 7:00am-6:00pm.

Normal Preschool office hours:
Monday 7:00am - 4:30pm
Tuesday-Thursday 7:00am - 6:00 pm
Friday 7:30am - 6:00 pm

Technology

Our goal is for your children to become familiar and comfortable with using computer hardware and software. The children learn basic mouse control skills, how to work with a partner and take turns, how to follow directions, and how to use basic tools using a drawing program. This is done through small group tutoring sessions in the classroom and monthly hands-on learning labs. The pre-kindergarten classes have the opportunity to work in the elementary computer lab in the spring.

Spanish

Children’s minds are wired to learn language at an early age. Our Spanish program includes vocabulary building as well as conversational exercises. These program themes incorporate different concepts such as colors, numbers, shapes, naming common objects, and animals using a variety of instructional materials including puppets, computer software, and songs.

P.E.

P.E. meets every Monday in the Activity Center. The goal is to provide purposeful physical activities for the children with lots of fun and joyful movement. We have monthly themes and use different types of equipment such as hoops, ropes, beams, balance beams, and balls.

Field Trips

Each classroom at CCPS takes advantage of at least two field trips per year. These trips are designed to provide fun and enriching opportunities for our children. The Pumpkin Patch, Fairytale Town, the Sacramento Zoo and Technique Gymnastics are examples of exciting locations where our preschoolers have traveled. Opening the classroom to the world around us gives our children the chance to expand their own horizons while learning about interesting places and people.