Programs

We offer three excellent preschool programs, plus an enrichment class for 4 - 6 year olds. We also keep the fun going with our Summer Adventures. 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

2013-2014 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 early February. We collect (1) $75 non-refundable registration fee for each child, which covers whatever combination of classes you request for that child. We have one registration form for the 3 preschool programs and our Treasure Box Book Club and a separate registration form for our Summer Adventures. Please contact us to get acquainted and for more information and to request an appointment for a class-time visit.

ENRICHMENT CLASS FOR OLDER STUDENTS:
TREASURE BOX BOOK CLUB - 3 different 9-week sessions, meeting on Mondays, from 9:30-1:30, for 4-6 year olds, including home schoolers. Teachers Brandi Erbstoeszer and Amy Rice design this very fun, very hands-on, early literacy class to foster a love of books and words in each child. We integrate drama, science, math, art, cooking, music, building, speaking, listening, outdoor play, writing, kinesthetic activities and Spanish into our literature-based lessons and projects. Each 9-week session also features a related field trip. Families may sign up for 1, 2 or 3 sessions, but our experience is that children love this class so much they don't want to stop coming!
(Each 9-week session costs $365. Unless the child is already registered for another class, there is a one-time $75 registration fee. Children bring their own lunches each day.)

TRADITIONAL PRESCHOOL PROGRAMS:

	*LITTLE FRIENDS*		*KIRKLAND PRESCHOOL*
	T-Th	M-W-F	T-W-Th-F
AGES: (in the fall)	2½-3½ yrs old by 8/31/13 Children do not have to be potty-trained.	3-4½ yrs old by 8/31/13 Children do have to be potty-trained.	4-5½ yrs old by 8/31/13
*HOURS:*	9:00-11:30	9:00-11:30 (optional Lunch Plus is available for an additional fee)	9:00-11:30 (optional Lunch Plus is available for an additional fee)
*ENROLLMENT:*	limited to 12 students/session	limited to 14 students/session	limited to 26 students/session
*ANNUAL TUITION (for 2013-2014):*	$2500/school year (plus $75 registration fee)	$2700/school year (plus $75 registration fee)	$3350/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 (2013-2014):*	$250 (10 payments, 1^st due 6/15/13)	$270 (10 payments, 1^st due 6/15/13)	$335 (10 payments, 1^st due 6/15/13)
*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 Each class session has 2 teachers with 1 family helper. (2nd teacher to be hired)	Patrice Bahnsen Each class session has 2 teachers with 1 family helper. (2nd teacher to be hired)	Karla Stettler Sue Monahan Retha Van Gent Each class session has 3 teachers with 1 family helper.

Little Friends:

Little Friends offers two classes, one meeting twice a week for our youngest students, and one meeting three times a week for our "middle-aged" students. Each class meets in the morning for
2½ hours. 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 2014-2015 school year

Check out the T-Th class page and the M-W-F class page for a glimpse of some of the fun in our Little Friends' 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 2½ hour morning session.

CHOOSE THIS CLASS IF YOUR CHILD:

● may enter kindergarten in fall, 2014
● 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-F class page.