Early Childhood Education

Young boys and girls are outside, and one girl is pointing to a floating bubble.

The early childhood education (ECE) program welcomes our youngest learners to wonder. Pre- and junior kindergarten are often a student’s first experience of school and at KIS we start as we intend to go on, cultivating a rich environment that encourages inquiry. Everything is new at this age! There is joy and excitement in learning.

Early Childhood Grades PK & JK

ECE learning is child led and play-based. This is because children engage through play. And we all learn when we are interested in a task or question. What this looks like in an early childhood classroom is a teacher who observes, listens, and creates ways for students to explore.

Like this – a read aloud about birds sparks a question about nests which becomes a game of making a nest. Someone decides to make a nest for their stuffed parrot – but what kind of nests do parrots make? You know there are more questions! This approach to learning is wild and meaningful – and integrated with art, design, language, math literacy, and science.

There is a natural, expected progression of skills in children. Our teachers understand the developmental continuum of this age group and purposefully add activities that support growth. So the entire time the class is learning about what kinds of families parrots have and the food they eat, each child is also practicing social-emotional and motor skills.

Kindergarten as Bridge

Kindergarten establishes more structured subject area learning. Phonics, reading, writing, and math lessons reinforce earlier learning and give students a solid foundation for continued academic growth. Skills are scaffolded and developmentally appropriate. Discovery and connection are important. We want students to learn how to learn – individually and collaboratively. Understanding how our minds work empowers us to learn.

Kindergarteners continue learning through play too. Each school day includes unstructured time for students to play. The classroom environment invites student curiosity – teachers respond to student interest or extend subject area learning with sensory and dramatic play stations. Movement breaks and outdoor play are part of each day too.

These formative years are marked by the most developmental growth in the life of a child. Ensuring student well-being and safety at each stage of learning is our first priority. We work with intention and purpose to help every child grow in every way, every day.

Taryn Pereira

Elementary School Principal

Your Family's Early Childhood Education Experience

Day at a glance

Community and routine start the day. Pre- and junior kindergarteners benefit from play after their ride to school. Morning circle gives the class a chance to welcome each other and talk about the day and learning ahead. Teachers help students practice strategies to manage transitions between activities. Specialist teachers often join pre- and junior kindergarteners in their classroom while kindergarteners walk to specialist classrooms. Outdoor or forest play is part of each day through kindergarten.

Parent Partnership

School-home communication is essential. ECE and kindergarten teachers use Seesaw to share updates and photos. Class newsletters offers an overview of learning and resources families can use at home. Parents are invited to campus for learning showcases, activities, and performances. Parents are also welcome to join field trips throughout the school year. A strong school-home relationship supports student growth.

Well-being

Your child’s social-emotional growth is a big part of their early education. Each school day is full of opportunities to practice skills like listening, speaking, agreeing or disagreeing, sharing, problem solving, offering or accepting help, and self-regulation. Elementary school counselors routinely co-teach to support individual and collective growth. During these first school years your child is learning how friendship works too.