Appletree Preschool Program Overview
The preschool day at the Appletree School begins at 9am with circle time activities such as the Pledge of Allegiance, calendar discussions, weather observations, stories, show and tell, or other thematic topics. Our preschool curriculum revolves around specific monthly themes that the children may be experiencing outside of school, to widen their perspective of the world. By focusing on each child as an individual, our teachers give each child time to master skills at their own pace. With small class sizes in each age group classroom, we can tailor learning to each student’s strengths and target areas for personal growth.
With cozy classrooms and ample outdoor adventure space, our campus offers each child opportunities to explore and experience learning with all five senses. Appletree provides a language-rich environment for all students with older students in preschool and the Academy sharing in the joy of learning through specially planned events and informal interactions.
Appletree takes a unique approach for preschool fours, based on the Dutch model. Students rotate among classrooms to work with different fours team teachers, each teaching in their field of expertise to all four-year-old program students. This core instruction led by teachers trained and experienced in their specializations helps preschool fours, known as Birds, prepare for a strong start in kindergarten and beyond.
All students in the twos, threes and fours receive snacks and daily lunch which is included with included with their tuition. Students eat lunch in their classroom.
Appletree emphasizes outdoor time and students love playing outside all through the seasons. Students attending for the full day will participate in outdoor time three times daily. Parents are encouraged to send their students to school in comfortable clothing and sneakers, or other proper footwear, for the day’s weather forecast. Appletree students will play outside in light rain and snow gear is needed for lucky days when we find snowflakes falling. Appletree will adjust recess plans in case of extreme cold or heat.
The Four-Year-Old Program-Birds
Appletree’s fours program takes a unique approach to preschool education, providing students with an instructional experience more like a primary school class. To foster students’ love of learning and build a solid foundation in core curricular areas each homeroom teacher has an area of specialization and instructs in one subject area.
Birds begin in homeroom class “nest” with a teacher who supports their daily needs for snacks, lunch and rest and serves as parent contact. Appletree Birds students then migrate during their academic day to the other classrooms for thirty-minute lessons in pre-reading/literacy skills, math, science, social studies, art, technology, and character education. Students gain exposure to a rich array of cognitive skill areas as they move around to each different classroom. Each teacher focuses on a different subject, helping Appletree students develop a foundation for academic success before moving up to the Academy. Each afternoon, parents receive a daily report about their child’s day.
Beyond the Birds rotation of core classes, specialty classes enjoyed in this age group include:
- Health is offered to the Four-Year-Old Program students once a week.
- Physical Education is offered three times a week for Four-Year-Old Program students. These classes include planned group and individual skill-building activities to foster muscle development and coordination.
- Music delights students with twice-weekly classes. Students sing, dance, and laugh while learning traditional songs and new favorites.
- Spanish taught twice a week builds on classroom concepts through songs and fun activities.
- Technology integrates into our fours program as a daily rotation. Students receive instruction on personal computers in our Computer Lab or on classroom iPads with their math and technology teacher. Appletree emphasizes the introduction of basic computer functions while integrating all curricular areas to reinforce program concepts. Our computer teacher also works with our threes in their classroom using select iPad applications to reinforce classroom curricular concepts.
Birds Sample Schedule
7:00 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Teacher greets and welcomes children for free choice activities
Outdoor recess
9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Morning snack
Four-Year-Old signature program rotation of classes
Specialty Classes
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Lunch
1:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Outdoor recess
1:30 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Nap/rest
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Clean-up and classroom activity
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Afternoon snack
Outdoor recess
Open play and free choice of centers
Optional afternoon activities (added sign-up and fee)
Pick up
Schedule Options
While all twos, threes and fours classrooms are five-day programs you may choose from full service or academic day to meet your family’s needs:
7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Full-Service Hours
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Academic Day Hours
