Preschool

The Well School’s two Preschool classes—called the Cubs (three- and four-year-olds) and Bears (four- and five-year-olds)—focus on the education of the whole child with an emphasis on nurturing each child’s self-esteem and promoting social development. Children learn to express their feelings and needs appropriately and to work toward creating a foundation of trusting relationships within their class and school community. Children are also given opportunities to make choices and practice skills that help to develop their sense of self.

Our preschool program emphasizes…

• A safe, nurturing, trusting environment and sense of community

• Emergent curriculum

  • Building trusting relationships

  • Cooperative play and learning through play

  • Imagination and creativity, open-ended materials

  • Embracing the curiosity of the child

• Spending at least two hours outside every day

The Preschool curriculum is guided by the children’s natural curiosity and sense of wonder about their world. The classroom provides open-ended materials for children to make discoveries, and our beautiful campus provides a variety of outdoor experiences to enhance the curriculum, including time outside in all kinds of weather, hikes in the woods, ice skating on our own rink, sledding, and more. Maintaining flexibility in the curriculum allows teachers, parents and children to share their special interests while adjusting activities to suit the emerging interests of the children. Being given the freedom to make choices within the framework of the classroom leads to a greater sense of autonomy. Math, science, literacy, art, music, and theater are woven into the year’s curriculum.

We encourage regular communication between teacher and parents, who work together to build the best possible preschool experience. Each parent has the opportunity to attend two official conferences with the child’s teacher, in fall and spring, and as needed throughout the year. We strive to stay attuned to the preschooler’s development and create a learning environment that is exciting, interesting, and fun!