OUR CLASSROOMS
We are currently at capacity in all classrooms for the 2023-2024 school year. We encourage prospective families to sign up for our waitlist so that we can notify you quickly if we have an opening.
1’s | Pioneer Classroom
(Full)
In the Pioneers classroom, toddlers engage in a lot of independent play. Students typically have multiple opportunities each day for gross motor play, outside playtime, and music and movement. The goal is to give them exposure to various textures & materials, help them develop social skills, and support them as they interact with other children. Typically, at this age, solitary or independent play is developmentally appropriate. As the year progresses, they learn social skills that enable them to participate in parallel play where two friends may play side by side and/or they watch & observe others friends who are also playing independently – which is the next step for this age. Students leave this class with the skills they need to engage in parallel play with their peers confidently and consistently.
2’s | Investigators Classroom
(Full)
Older toddlers enjoy structure and thrive on consistency and routine, so the Investigators classroom has a more structured playtime and intentional schedule. There are still multiple opportunities for gross motor play, outside playtime, and music & movement. In this room, they get a lot of choice and ownership over their playtime and begin developing skills for the collaborative stage of play where they learn to play alongside others by sharing materials and/or inviting friends to play with them.
Many students at this age may begin their potty training journey, and we partner with parents to support them in this effort. The classroom is strategically located across from a child-friendly toilet for easy access. Teachers communicate openly with parents to understand the family’s potty training methods, and as much as possible, work to reinforce those efforts at school.
We believe that all students develop at their own pace, so we have flexible potty training requirements so that we can support each family’s goal along with the child’s individual needs.
If your child wears pullups to school, we require the pullups that have velcro sides so that teachers can quickly support students in changing without having to completely undress your child during potty time.
2’s & 3’s | Mixed Age
Explorers Classroom
(Full)
Between the ages of 2 and 3 so much development occurs. Students grow physically, academically, and emotionally. In order to best meet the needs of these students, we offer a blended age classroom that focuses on assisting our students in developing socially and emotionally through purposeful play and carefully chosen activities including gross motor play, music and movement, and collaborative play.
The Explorers class slowly introduces Centers which helps students build the stamina to engage in focused learning and imaginative play through deeper critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Explorers are also developmentally prepared to begin potty training, so we collaborate with each family to guide students through this milestone as they are ready. Typically, Explorers finish the school year better prepared to engage in associative play, during which they are interacting and working together with other friends using common materials.
3’s | Navigators Classroom
(Full)
Our older 3 year old students experience more structure than in the younger age classrooms. They start the year in Centers so they develop the capacity to use their imagination and engage in focused free play for longer durations of time. Rather than freely transitioning to different toys or activities when they get bored, we encourage students to go deeper with their imaginative play during each center by adding new materials when building or challenging them with more complex ideas and problems during dramatic play.
This classroom introduces students to a formal Morning Meeting routine, smaller focused learning groups with guided instruction from the teacher, and self-help skill development throughout the day. At this age, students are entering into the associative stage of play where they play with others using communication, critical thinking skills, and shared materials.
Pre-K | Pathfinders Classroom
(full)
By age 4, students are ready for the cooperative stage of play where they play together and work toward a common goal. Through assigned roles, friendships are formed, and social and emotional regulation becomes a daily practice. Pathfinders grow into the leaders of our school, and build community through thoughtful discussions in Morning Meetings, classroom affirmations, prayer, emotional self-awareness, and practicing empathy.
In Pre-K, students learn Kindergarten concepts in small groups based on their individual academic needs. Additionally, students use the classroom Calming Corner to identify and name their emotions and select strategies that help them calm down and regulate big feelings.
TK | Trailblazers Classroom
(Full)
The TK program prepares students to be successful in Kindergarten with a stronger emphasis on the academic foundation. Students engage in Reading, Math, and Writing centers daily. Trailblazers learn to exhibit strong self-help skills and independence in preparation for the academic and social emotional rigors of a Kindergarten classroom. Students leave us with a strong curiosity about the world and feel confident asking why in their learning journey.
Additionally, they feel empowered to use their imaginations, create, build, construct, and develop an overall love for learning. An important component of the program is guiding our students in building their social and emotional awareness so that they leave us ready to face challenges, foster healthy relationships, and actively participate in the world around them.
Biblical Foundation
We utilize the First Look Preschool Curriculum, so each month, our school has a monthly Bible Theme that we reinforce with students through weekly bible stories and classroom activities. Each bible story, in some way, expresses the Big Idea for the month and classes practice the monthly Bible Memory Verse as well.
Social & Emotional Foundation
As you walk through our school, you’ll notice a calming corner strategically placed in a corner of every classroom that invites children to explore images, books, and sensory materials to help them identify and name their feelings, and choose tools or strategies that will regulate heightened emotions.
Academic Foundation
Each week, students explore a topic or theme along with engaging activities that introduce a new concept or practice a specific skill that they previously learned through fine motor and gross motor development in our younger age classes and reading, writing, and math in our older classrooms.
We Want Your Preschooler to Know
My little children, let us not love in word, neither with the tongue; but in deed and truth.
1 John 3:18
Building a Foundation That Lasts.
10835 Independence Pointe Parkway
Matthews, NC 28105
Hours: 9am–1pm / Monday – Friday
910.208.6609
info@forkidspreschool.com
© Copyright 2023 FOR Kids Preschool. All Rights Reserved. Brand Identity & Website Design by Orange Moss Creative