Our preschool program offers a nurturing environment focusing on the social and academic development of each student utilizing a play-based curriculum. Our curriculum enhances the development of the whole child — cognitively, socially, physically, and emotionally. All of our classes are single-grade for optimal learning and social development. At The Metuchen Preschool students are placed in classes by age and we keep students together with their class for the entire school year. Movement to the next grade occurs in September.
Early Learners- Our Early Learners class (for students 2.5 years old, or close to it) is perfect for a child’s first school experience. The classroom routine and activities are designed to give children an opportunity to develop attachments to their teachers as they are adjusting to separating from family members and caregivers. The day provides time for teachers to support children as they learn self-care tasks like putting on jackets and using the bathroom while they are learning traditional school routines such as lining up, walking in the hallway and participating in group activities. As teachers build individual connections with each child, they facilitate the development of the social skills and emotional regulation necessary to forming friendships. These relationships provide the foundation for a comfortable, lively group of learners! Both indoor and outdoor play is part of the daily schedule (weather permitting).
Our classes are offered as a two day (Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday) or three-day (Monday/Wednesday/Friday or Tuesday/Thursday/Friday) program from 9:00-12:00, or 9:00-1:00. A daily snack is provided. Diapers are permitted in the Two and a Half class. An optional 8:00 drop off is available for an additional fee. The Early Learners class is for students 2 1/2 (or close to it) to 3 years old by October 1, 2024.
Preschool Three - The Preschool Three class continues to focus on a child’s social and emotional confidence essential for young minds to absorb academic information in the coming school years. Early academics such as letter recognition and number awareness are embedded in the classroom environment. Letter formation, patterning, imaginative play, independence skills, social development and fine motor skills activities are the foundations of the program. The Preschool Three class has daily circle time and small group instruction. Both indoor and outdoor play is part of the daily schedule. Children should be potty-trained, but we will accommodate students that are nearly there.
Classes for Preschool Three students are offered two-day, three-day or five-day a week from 9:00-1:00 or 9:00-3:00. A daily snack is provided. Students bring lunch. An optional 8:00 drop-off is available for an additional fee along with an optional 5:00 pick-up. Students must be three years old by October 1, 2024 to start. Additional story time, music, and gym time will be included for students staying until 3:00. Preschool Three students have a NJ State mandated 30 minute rest time for students under four years of age staying until 3:00. Students have the option of participating in Pizza Friday lunch including a vegetable, fruit, cookie and drink for a small additional fee.
Preschool Four - The focus of the Preschool Four class is getting students prepared for kindergarten by focusing on traditional academics in a nurturing, child centered, play based classroom. The students are provided with hands-on learning activities and use analytical skills like comparing/contrasting, making predictions, graphing, and sequencing in a developmentally appropriate manner. The curriculum integrates literacy, mathematics, science, art and social studies. Hands-on activities, such as block building, drawing, painting, and writing promote deeper discovery, fine- and gross-motor skills, and nurtures children’s natural curiosity. The Letter People curriculum is part of the Preschool Four program. As children show more independence, their responsibilities expand to include classroom jobs which nurture their perception of themselves as competent, capable members of a classroom community. Both indoor and outdoor play is part of the daily schedule.
Classes for Preschool Four students are offered three, four or five days a week from 9:00-1:00 or 9:00-3:00. An optional 8:00 drop-off is available for an additional fee along with an optional 5:00 pick-up. A daily snack is provided. Students bring lunch. Students have the option of participating in Pizza Friday lunch including a vegetable, fruit, cookie and drink for a small additional fee.
Students must be four years old by October 1, 2024 to start. Students in the Preschool Four class move on to kindergarten the following September.
Please see the Photo Gallery for pictures from our school day!
Afternoon Enrichment for Preschool Four students - Classes run from 1:00-3:00 and are included for the Preschool Four students staying until 3:00. Students can stay for the Afternoon Specials any or all days in a week. Each class will have additional time on the playground and/or in the gym. The Afternoon Enrichment classes are:
Adventures in Literacy - Using fun and creative tools such as puppets, felt board props, games and projects to explore different avenues of literacy from rhyming and letter sounds to dialogue and story comprehension.
Art - A fun class that will start with the color wheel and cover painting, sculpture, print making and other media. Brush strokes, lines, organic and inorganic shapes will be covered. The children also will be exposed to different styles of art through the works of Dali, Kandinsky, Monet, Laurel Burch, Keith Haring, and others.
Mindful Movement - A class that will have students thinking and moving. Students will play educational games, fun games, and games that focus on physical development. Music and Cosmic Yoga are part of the program. Class will be held in the classroom and in our large gym.
Spanish- A fun and interactive class where the children will learn beginning vocabulary (colors, numbers, etc.) in Spanish. The students in the class will also learn about the cultures of Spanish speaking countries. Art projects, playing games, and singing songs are part of the program.
STEM - Children will have the opportunity to explore interesting topics through age appropriate hands-on activities and experiments to help them build essential problem solving, logic and planning skills. The students will also be taught the science/technology/engineering/math behind each activity. Examples include making lava lamps, using catapults, sink or swim experiments, beginning coding, building bridges more!
After 3:00 Aftercare program: An option to stay from 3:00 - 5:00 is available for the Preschool Three, Preschool Four and Kindergarten Wrap students. Additional outside time, gym time and a snack are included. Please inquire when registering