St. Charles Preschool

St. Charles Preschool provides educational curricula for kindergarten readiness. Teachers assist in nurturing your child’s social, emotional, physical and cognitive development through aged-based activities and imaginative, free play. Children will socialize with peers, learn respect and cooperation, acquire independence, build self-esteem and develop problem-solving skills.

Classes fill up quickly!

Staff encourages you to place your name on a wait list because some openings may become available throughout the school year.

Traditional Module

stcparks.org/preschool

• A structured environment with classroom activities focusing on academic concepts
• 2:12–2:18 teacher/student ratio, based on class level ages
• Co-teachers with education degrees and/or extensive experience in early childhood settings
• Practice fine motor skills by squishing playdough, lacing cards, stringing beads, using scissors and doing puzzles
• Promote gross motor skills with physical activities, such as running, climbing, riding a tricycle and kicking a ball
• Gain exposure to the alphabet, numbers and early math concepts
• Foster an inspired passion for literacy and expand vocabulary
• Explore creative awareness through music, art and science

Pottawatomie Community Center Centrally-located downtown Use outdoor playground structure for gross motor play Explore adjacent Native Plant Garden and park area on gravel and paved pathways Access to indoor gymnasium

Hickory Knolls Discovery Center West side location (not Nature-Based Approach Program) Use outdoor natural play area for gross motor play Explore adjacent natural area on grassy and gravel pathways Access to live critter exhibits and scheduled visits

Summer Preschool: Pottawatomie Community Center A great way to keep children engaged all year round Similar to traditional module format Prepares children for fall preschool or kindergarten

Nature-Based Approach

Acorns to Oaks

stcnature.org/preschool

• Spend the majority of time exploring the outdoors; program will be held in the nature-inspired, indoor classroom during severe weather conditions
• 2:14 teacher/student ratio
• Co-teachers with education/science degrees and/or extensive experience in early childhood settings
• Daily schedule provides predictable routines while allowing opportunities for spontaneity and child-led interests
• Science, math, literacy and gross motor skills included in activities such as discovering insects under logs, finding animal tracks, observing songbirds, measuring tree trunks, weighing rocks and studying flowers and snowflakes
• Cultivate a profound connection to nature to become a lifelong steward of the environment expressing compassion toward plants, animals and the natural world