Our Preschool programs, from our infant program through our Pre-K program, are Reggio inspired.
Children learn in aesthetically beautiful environments that are designed specifically to draw out the potential of each individual. Activities are hands on, ensuring that children learn in the modality that is most suited to their developmental level. Since activities are open-ended, each child engages in them according to their own interests, preferences, and abilities. Open-ended activities do not have a right or wrong way to approach them, engendering an experience that is both satisfying and successful for every child. Children have an opportunity to grow in an environment that fosters independence, creativity, success, and self-esteem.
We embrace our relationship with parents and families and consider our relationship with them integral to the success of our children. We maintain open communication through our weekly spotlights and create an environment that fosters free exchange of ideas. We create opportunities for parents to become part of our community through many shared experiences, including a parent social in the beginning of the year, My Favorite Guy Day, My Favorite Gal Day, Grandparent Seder, and art gallery shows. We invite parents, grandparents, and other extended family to read books to our children as well as to share their areas of expertise with them.
A deep respect for children’s capabilities and ideas informs the work we do every day. Each of our programs is age-appropriate and fosters children’s social/emotional growth and academic success through an integrated approach and experiential learning. Children are taught and are given opportunities to practice the skills they need, like patience, turn-taking, and collaboration, in order for learning to naturally take place. Teachers present children with interesting provocations and materials to spark creativity, engagement and positivity towards learning and school.
Children new to POTA will be visited at home by their teachers before the start of the school year. All of the children enrolled will have an opportunity to meet and engage with their classmates and teachers on a fun playdate in the park prior to beginning school. Each group has a phase-in schedule geared specifically to their age to help children acclimate to the classroom and separate from their parent or caregiver through an intentional and gentle process.
4-5 years old
Our Pre-k children grow and learn in a print and literacy rich environment which has been thoughtfully designed to ignite their passion for reading, writing, and learning. Our individualized approach to literacy allows children to develop their language, literacy, and writing skills with an experience designed especially for them.
