Preschool - The Dolphin Room
When a child reaches 3 years of age, he or she begins learning in new ways. A child needs a bigger world with greater intellectual, social and physical challenges. He or she develops greater mastery of language and begins to think symbolically and logically. The Dolphin Room is introduces new activities and learning materials that test children’s emerging abilities in a stimulating way. Our approach emphasizes language and literacy, early math, social relations and problem solving, science, art and music – all in the context of a warm classroom community.
Children choose from learning centers such as the writing center, math and manipulatives, block building, science and nature, art and construction, reading, dramatic play, etc. The room is rich in animal life: birds, guinea pigs, fish, frogs and more. Children learn great deal from the taking on the responsibility of caring for the animals, and keeping the classroom organized and beautiful. Outdoors the Preschool Play Yard offers an exciting climbing structure, with features of graduated difficulty, as well as wheel toys, balance beam, play houses, group games, etc. to develop the children’s physical skills and coordination.
Our curriculum includes a balance of teacher –directed and child initiated activities. Our low ratio of teachers to children (1 to 8) enables teachers to form close relationships with children, plan exciting activities, and truly support their learning. Every week the children have enrichment classes in music and movement education in addition to their daily classroom activities.
Our curriculum and our faculty meet the quality guidelines and standards of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the California Department of Education and the Early Childhood Environmental Rating scale.
Preschool Curriculum – Our Goals…
that each child will…
- form a warm, satisfying friendship with one or more teachers, and one or more children, at school.
- develop a love of learning, a belief that he or she has good ideas, and an ability to focus on a project until it is completed.
- use language and the visual arts to freely and flexibly communicate his or her thoughts and feelings.
- achieve a strong foundation for reading and writing.
- acquire a foundation in the key cognitive skills which lead to mathematical and logical thought: representation, number, classification, seriation, time, and spacial relations.
- begin to learn the arts of listening, empathy, cooperative play, conflict resolution and negotiation.
- master the gross motor, fine motor and self-help skills needed for success in Pre Kindergarten, and for physical, social and intellectual health and well-being.
- develop a positive sense of cultural identity and respect for the cultures and traditions of others.
Commonly Asked Questions
Must my child be potty trained before he starts in the Dolphin Room? If not, is there an extra charge?
No and no. If a child is ready for Preschool in every other way, he or she can join the Dolphins, before toilet training is complete. Our experience is that very soon, with the help of teachers, and the example of other children, a child will decide to start using the toilet. We will keep you informed as to how it is going and may make suggestions from time to time.
How will I know if my child is learning?
Parents attend Preschool Orientation to meet the Lead Teacher, explore the classroom and hear about the daily routine and curriculum. To follow each child’s progress and place emphasis where it is needed, teachers perform a preschool developmental assessment ( Desired Results Developmental Profile) that will be shared with parents at conference time. A periodic “Dolphin Letter” keeps parents informed of the children’s activities and accomplishments. At parent conferences, teachers and parents share information that helps both to understand each child’s learning style, strengths and challenges. We also welcome parents to participate in the classrooms! And we hold two Preschool Parent /Staff Meetings each to showcase the children’s work and to advise you about Pre Kindergarten issues.
What about meals?
A morning snack, hot lunch and afternoon snack are provided family style. Children learn to serve and pass, to say please and thank you, and to clean up. Children staying into the evening have dinner together (provided by each family) and an evening snack.
The Staff
The Dolphin Room is staffed by group of educators with many years of combined experience and education in Child Development and Early Childhood Education. A Lead Teacher, 3 Teachers and 2 Assistant Teachers make up the team that spans the entire day into the evening with a teacher /child ratio of 1 to 8. We are blessed that so many members of this team have 6 to 12 years of experience here at Palcare. The faculty is committed to the idea that young children learn best when they feel strongly connected to their teachers and their classroom community.
Daily Schedule
Children experience several special periods during their day, no matter what their schedule.
Circle Time, the children come together in a small group to hear what is planned for the day, to share stories, read a story, sing songs, create music or dance.
Work Time, when the various learning centers around the classroom are available to the children to work alone or in small groups. Teachers station themselves around the room to help children find the materials they need to accomplish their goals, to help them negotiate with other children during play and to surprise the children with ideas they may not have considered. The learning centers include the library, dramatic play, art and construction, computer, blocks, manipulatives and puzzles, science and natural history, language and music.
Small Group Time, when teachers invite a small group of children to work together on a small project or discovery for 30 to 45 minutes in the morning and afternoon. For example, you might find a group of children and their teacher measuring the heights of the bean seedlings planted several weeks before, making collages of objects found on a walk, or writing and acting out a fairy tale.
Menagerie, when the care, handling and feeding of small animals and plants is part of daily life.
Outside Play, several times during the day for really active play.
Enrichment Classes in music and movement education every week in addition to their classroom daily activities.