From Play to Purpose

Group of children wearing purple shirts standing outdoors, holding egg cartons filled with acorns, a large yellow-green fruit, and leaves, with a person in dark pants partially visible.

Preschool: Where Curiosity Takes Root

Our Preschool program embraces a holistic approach to early childhood education—one that honors the importance of relationships, exploration, and joyful discovery.

Children are deeply loved, nurtured, and supported as they grow intellectually, physically, socially, and emotionally. Learning unfolds at each child’s own pace and in their own way, fostering confidence, curiosity, and a sense of belonging within a caring community.

Our preschool building was thoughtfully designed to meet the unique needs of young learners. Spacious classrooms filled with natural light create inviting environments for play and learning, while a dedicated science room sparks creativity and wonder. A large gymnasium and a beautiful outdoor play area provide developmentally appropriate spaces for daily movement, exploration, and the development of gross motor skills—ensuring a balanced and enriching learning experience.

An adult woman with long brown hair in a ponytail and a young girl with blonde hair are working together at a table. The woman is wearing a tan striped shirt and the girl is wearing a striped shirt with a ghost and pumpkin design. They seem to be engaged in a crafting or baking activity, with a small metal cookie cutter and a plastic container on the table. The background shows shelves with storage bins and a few office supplies.

Transitional Kindergarten: A Thoughtful Bridge Forward

The Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program is intentionally designed for children with late summer and fall birthdays, offering a thoughtful bridge between preschool and kindergarten.

Blending the nurturing, play-based foundations of preschool with the growing structure of kindergarten, TK supports students as they develop greater independence, confidence, and academic readiness. Each day is filled with rich, engaging opportunities for growth, balancing exploration with purposeful instruction tailored to this unique stage of development.

A portion of each day is dedicated to direct instruction in reading, language, and math, delivered through whole-group, small-group, and individualized learning experiences. Students also explore social studies through theme-based units and engage in science learning guided by a science specialist, as well as inquiry-based exploration within their classrooms. Specialty classes—including art, music, and Spanish—ensure a well-rounded academic experience.

In addition to academic growth, TK students participate in daily gross motor play in our large multi-purpose room, on the playground, or at the park, supporting physical development and self-regulation. Social-emotional learning is intentionally woven throughout the program with the integration of the Second Step curriculum. Together, these experiences prepare students to transition confidently and successfully into Primary School.

Preschool

Academics

  • Our science program is designed to promote the development of scientific thinking through active involvement. Students don't learn science, they experience science through exploration and discovery. Our science specialist designs units of study to spark young children’s interest and curiosity about their world.

  • The music program exposes our students to a vast amount of music from around the world. This exposure positively impacts each student's development while simultaneously developing musical skills and a deep appreciation for the production and performance of music.  Each music lesson incorporates performing music (singing, playing, and dancing), listening to and discussing music, and developing music appreciation through fun and games.

  • The goal of the preschool Spanish program is to develop excitement towards learning the Spanish language while fostering a positive cross-cultural learning experience. In a lively and fun atmosphere, students acquire foundational vocabulary and language structure awareness that serves as the base for their language instruction in the primary school.

  • The fine arts program at Next Generation Preschool brings wonderful opportunities to young children through exploration of the world of fine arts.  The program is designed to introduce students to the elements of art and a variety of media. They learn to identify and use these elements and media while also learning about well-known artists. Students have many opportunities to practice techniques and create master studies of celebrated artworks.

  • In order to develop and encourage a love of reading, our preschool and transitional kindergarten students visit the Reading Room in small groups twice a week.  Children participate in phonemic awareness, letter and sound exercises, and practice word building, vocabulary, and comprehension skills through engaging activities. 

Transitional Kindergarten

  • In Transitional Kindergarten, science learning becomes more intentional as students begin to observe, question, and describe the world around them with growing purpose. Building on the natural curiosity fostered in preschool, TK students engage in guided exploration that encourages early scientific thinking and problem-solving.

    Through thoughtfully designed units led by the Primary science teachers in the Makers Lab, students investigate age-appropriate topics though hands-on, inquiry-based activities. Children are encouraged to make predictions, share observations, and draw simple conclusions—developing foundational skills that support scientific reasoning.

  • Our Transitional Kindergarten music curriculum, taught by the Primary and Middle School music teacher, offers engaging and age-appropriate musical experiences that are both joyful and intentional. Through singing, movement, rhythm activities, and listening, students begin to develop an understanding of basic musical concepts in a playful and supportive setting.

    These experiences help build listening skills, coordination, and self-expression while fostering an early appreciation for music. The program supports students as they grow in confidence and prepares them for continued music learning in Primary School.

  • The Spanish program, taught by the Primary and Middle School Spanish teacher, builds upon early language exposure with more intentional and structured experiences. In a lively and supportive setting, students expand their vocabulary and begin to develop awareness of simple language patterns through interactive activities, songs, and guided practice.

    As students grow in confidence, they strengthen listening and speaking skills that lay the foundation for continued Spanish instruction in Primary School—fostering both language readiness and an enthusiasm for learning a second language.

  • The art curriculum emphasizes both the joy of creating and the development of foundational skills through hands-on exploration. Designed by the Primary and Middle School art teacher, projects are thoughtfully planned to be developmentally appropriate and to strengthen both fine- and gross-motor skills.

    Students are encouraged to experiment with a variety of materials and techniques while learning to express ideas and make creative choices. As part of the program, children are also introduced to select artists and artistic styles, helping them build early visual awareness and an appreciation for art that supports continued learning in Primary School.

Two children playing on a wooden playground structure, with one child reaching down to help the other up the rope ladder, outdoors on a cloudy day.
A young child and a woman, likely a teacher or caregiver, are engaging in a craft activity at a classroom table. The child is wearing a blue shirt with yellow cars, and the woman is smiling and assisting. On the table, there is a blue sheet of paper with a red heart-shaped cutout and white handprints, along with a red bowl containing art supplies.