Programs

We offer three excellent preschool programs, plus an enrichment class for 4 and 5 year olds, including half-day kindergarteners. A few considerations to help you find the best class: Group Reading

· your child's age and level of maturity

· your child's personality

· how comfortable your child feels in social situations

2012-2013 Programs

Each of our classes is described in more detail below, or check out our parents corner to see what each class is up to this semester.

Registration: Registration for new families for the next school year begins in mid-February. Please contact us for more information.

NEW - MONDAY EXPLORERS! - 3 different 9-week sessions, meeting on Mondays, from 12:30-3:00, for 4-6 year olds, including half-day kindergarteners! Our Explorers will have many exciting explorations each session, with time to really delve into our topics. There will also be outside time on our school's great playground or "rainy day" time in our indoor Big Room Each 9-week session costs $50 deposit with registration and $150 due on the first day of the session. Sessions start on 10/8/12 (#1), 1/7/13 (#2), and 4/1/13 (#3).

	*LITTLE FRIENDS*		*KIRKLAND PRESCHOOL*
	T-Th	M-W-F	T-W-Th-F
AGES: (in the fall)	2½-3½ yrs old by 8/31/12 Children do not have to be potty-trained.	3-4½ yrs old by 8/31/12 Children do have to be potty-trained.	4-5½ yrs old by 8/31/12
*HOURS:*	9:10-11:40 or 12:40-3:10	9:10-11:40 or 12:40-3:10	9:00-11:30 or 12:30-3:00
*ENROLLMENT:*	limited to 12 students/session	limited to 12 students/session	limited to 22 students/session
*ANNUAL TUITION (for 2012-2013):*	$2450/school year (plus $75 registration fee) *	$2600/school year (plus $75 registration fee) *	$3250/school year (plus $75 registration fee) *
* As a non-profit organization, if we experience greatly increased energy bills, we may have to adjust our tuition.
*MONTHLY PAYMENT PLAN (2012-2013):*	$245 (10 payments, 1^st due 6/15/12)	$260 (10 payments, 1^st due 6/15/12)	$325 (10 payments, 1^st due 6/15/12)
*PARENT INVOLVEMENT:*	5 times during the year (This is required)	8 times during the year (This is required)	6 times during the year (This is required)
*STAFF:*	Patrice Bahnsen Kate Kiser	Patrice Bahnsen Kate Kiser	Karla Stettler Sue Monahan Retha Van Gent Each class session has 3 teachers with 1 parent helper.

Little Friends

Little Friends offers two classes, one meeting twice a week and one meeting three times a week. Each class day is 2½ hours long. An important goal is to help students become more aware of others' feelings and needs. We also work on ways children can effectively express their own feelings and needs The low adult to child ratio helps maintain a positive atmosphere as we work on these goals.

Every 2 weeks there is a new theme in the classroom. We try to engage the children's "multiple intelligences" with a great variety of hands-on activities. The atmosphere is nurturing and easy-going, with attention paid to just the right time and way to introduce new challenges. Hands-on activities provide developmentally appropriate pre-reading, pre-math, science, creative movement and literacy experiences.

CHOOSE THE T-Th CLASS FOR 2½ to 3½ YEAR OLDS IF YOUR CHILD

● is ready to explore tools such as scissors & small objects & doesn't put things in mouth

● has some familiarity with clean-up & routines & can follow teacher's directions

● is becoming somewhat confident with being in school without a parent

● does not have to be potty-trained at the beginning of the school year

CHOOSE THE M-W-F CLASS FOR 3 to 4½ YEAR OLDS IF YOUR CHILD

● has previously attended preschool & activities without parent

● participates with interest during activities, such as creative movement, science & math

● takes responsibility for clean-up & routines

● is able to function independently

● can follow teacher’s directions

● is completely potty-trained

● is not old enough for kindergarten in the 2013-2014 school year

Check out the T-Th class page and the M-W-F class page to see what's happening in the 2011-2012 classes.

Kirkland Preschool for 4-5½ year olds

Kirkland Preschool's T-W-Th-F classes are THE class to attend for the last year before kindergarten. We also welcome the slightly younger students who are ready for exciting challenges and more independence. We offer a morning session and an afternoon session, each 2½ hours.

CHOOSE THIS CLASS IF YOUR CHILD:

● may enter kindergarten in fall, 2013
● confidently problem solves on own or with help
● has a sense of purpose, spends time on
projects, has a sense of responsibility
● likes challenges and learning
● has an interest in letters, numbers, science
● can listen to and share ideas with others
● transitions easily from individual choice activities to group activities
● enjoys a bustling, busy atmosphere
● enjoys interactive music and field trips

Our T-W-Th-F classes appeal to those children who are very independent and self-motivated, who are comfortable with groups, and who are able to pay attention to others' ideas. This lively class gives students many opportunities to explore creative avenues and social relationships. Field trips offer another way for the children to actively learn.

The T-W-Th-F class presents "kindergarten readiness skills" as a subtly interwoven foundation of letters, sounds, numbers, and numerals. Language and vocabulary skills are emphasized. Rather than isolating concepts, we "hook" the children with interesting topics and activities and then present concepts within those exciting contexts.

The teachers in these classes have many, many years experience and have developed an absolutely effective program which helps your child enter kindergarten eager, confident and very capable.

Always, attention is paid to each individual's developmental level. And always, creativity and positive self-image are encouraged. Visit us at the T-W-Th class page.