Welcome young children and families to the special community of Harbor Country Day School!  The early childhood years, from pre-Nursery through Kindergarten, are so critical in providing young children with optimal experiences that will develop strong patterns for learning.  At Harbor Country Day School the youngest learners are gently guided to acquire knowledge and understanding about their world through observing, investigating, creating, manipulating, discovering and playing imaginatively.

Linda Sjogren Director, Early Childhood

The small class size at Harbor offers children a warm, secure and nurturing environment in which to learn.   Young children start school having a wide range of maturity and ability levels.  Therefore, an individualized approach to learning is provided in all classrooms.  Through children’s active participation in enriched and challenging learning centers, and the hands-on, multi-sensory approach to teaching the curriculum, a team of passionate, state-certified classroom teachers, assisted by a teaching assistant in each classroom, provides the very best of learning environment for our children.  It is Harbor’s belief that a safe, secure and ideal learning environment is the keystone to children’s academic success.

The Preschool Program

In Harbor Country Day School’s preschool, a challenging curriculum is presented through a variety of exciting thematic units.  Age-appropriate skills and concepts in literacy, mathematics, science, and social science are presented in the context of each theme.   Chicka, Chicka, Boom Boom, Life Under the Ocean, Outer Space, Dinosaurs, Penguins, Polar Bears, Jungle Adventures, and Life On The Farm, are just a few of the wonderful themes that have ignited children’s enthusiasm to learn.  Parent partnerships, including participation in Dad’s Day, Mom’s Day, Grandparents and Special Friends Day, Field Day, Family Barbeques, Family Fun Nights, field trips,family classroom “research projects”, classroom presentations and productions, parent P.E. participation, support learning in the most wonderful and successful ways.
 
In the preschool, the classroom curriculum is enriched with regularly scheduled classes of physical education (P.E.), Kindermusik, and library, all presented by teachers who are certified in those areas.  

Harbor Country Day School’s Preschool Program enables the youngest learners to grow and develop at their own pace, to cultivate their own natural interests and desire to learn, to develop independence and self-confidence, and to embrace learning with enthusiasm.

Toddler Time offers those 2 year olds who will be eligible for the fall Nursery program, or 3 year olds who are not yet potty trained, a real school experience in the company and comfort of their parent or caregiver.  Toddler Time takes place in the Nursery classroom, with the Nursery teacher, for one hour each week.  Toddler Time also supports 3 year olds who are not quite ready to adjust to an independent Nursery program, more time, and greater opportunity, to become comfortable and familiar with school, in the company of a parent.  Toddler Time children who turn 3 by December 1 of the current school year, and are potty trained, may transition into the Nursery program at anytime during the school year.

The Nursery program is for children who will be 3 years old by December 1 of the current school year, and who are completely potty trained.  Nursery classes average ten children per class.  Nursery children may attend a two half day, three half day, or five half day program, in the morning or afternoon.  In addition to their enriched classroom curriculum, Harbor’s Nursery students participate in physical education, music and library classes.  They enjoy a daily nutritional snack in the School’s dining room, and have plenty of opportunity for outdoor play, and outdoor learning adventures, on the beautiful ten-acre school campus. 

Nursery

Nursery students participate in physical education (P.E.) once a week.  Each class includes child-centered activities.  Through the use of movement and age-appropriate equipment, such as balloons, bubbles, and balls, the children’s eye-hand and eye-foot coordination is developed.  Musical activities serve to enhance the children’s gross motor skills and social skills during each session.

Pre-K

The Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) program is for children who will be 4 years old by December 1 of the current school year, or for “older 4s”, who would benefit from an additional year of Pre-K before beginning Kindergarten.  Pre-K children attend five mornings, or five afternoons, or five full days each week.  A two-day extended day program (five mornings, and two longer extended days) is offered when classroom space is available.  The average number of students for Pre-K is twelve students per class.  In addition to the regular enriched classroom curriculum, the Pre-K children attend two weekly classes of physical education, and one weekly class of Kindermusik and library each week.  A daily nutritional snack is provided in the School’s dining room, as well as plenty of outdoor playtime, and outdoor learning adventures, on the beautiful ten-acre school campus.                          

 

4 year olds learn best through movement.  The preschool teaching team works together to integrate classroom themes with physical education (P.E.) activities.  Pre-K children participate in P.E. two times each week.  Each thirty minute session in the gym incorporates a variety of activities.  The children learn to develop an awareness of their own “personal space” or self space.  As the children’s social skills develop, it is so important to work on these skills during P.E. class.  Through the use of developmentally appropriate practices and equipment, the children develop their locomotor skills, eye-foot/hand coordination, and increase their physical fitness.  Music is used in each class to increase listening skills and motivate moving.

          

Nursery and Pre-K music classes help young children develop musical awareness, appreciation, and understanding, while also strengthening their physical, emotional, social and cognitive skills.

The children learn to use their voices (whispering, speaking, calling and singing). They learn to differentiate loud and soft, fast and slow, high and low, steady beat and pitch.  They experience music through movement, dramatization and playing a variety of unique percussion instruments.

During music class, Nursery and Pre-K students learn to develop good listening skills and to become cooperative participants.  Playing music, listening to music and/or experiencing music requires individual as well as group effort.

Preschool music classes utilize literature to promote early reading skills.  Many classic stories enable children to develop a sense of rhyming and steady beat.  Age-appropriate concepts and skills presented in classrooms are integrated into the music program throughout the year.