Academics

Ages and Stages

Our program provides a warm, nurturing and safe atmosphere where infants and young children can play, discover, learn, and form close attachments. The curriculum promotes intellectual, social, physical and emotional growth through child‑centered activities. Our experienced teachers keep play at the center of our philosophy, because we consider it a central force in children’s development. The Nursery provides a nurturing environment for infants and toddlers up to age 3. The Preschool is divided into two classrooms: one for ages 3 to 4, and another for ages 4 to 5.

INFANTS AND TODDLERS

Infants and toddlers are cared for in an environment that focuses on developing attachments and pro-social behavior. Children engage in activities suited to their developmental levels. Morning time is spent indoors and out. Infants experience the world from a variety of vantage points from arms, to laps, to the floor. Toddlers can choose to take toys off the shelf or work on a structured activity at the toddler table. Outside the children explore the spacious play yard and take walks on the GFS campus, which is rich with the lively interactions and activities of the school. Specials: Music and Library

PRESCHOOL 3/4 CLASS

The 3 and 4 year old class values the beginning stages of independence and developing friendships. The day is structured to promote social and cognitive skills. Curriculum begins to be theme-based and is developed to nurture a solid foundation of pre-academic skills. The children in the 3/4 class enjoy an intergenerational partnership with Stapeley Hall, a retirement community in Germantown.

Specials: Music, Library, Art, and Story Time.

PRESCHOOL 4/5 CLASS

The 4 and 5 year old class is a pre‑kindergarten designed to prepare children socially and educationally for kindergarten. At this age, children have a growing awareness of the world and they are able to share their ideas, which are also reinforced with activities. The teachers address both group and individual needs while fostering and reinforcing emergent literacy and math skills. The class undertakes thematic units of group interest. An integrated approach leads to cross-curricular exploration in literature, numbers, the arts, cooking, book writing and dramatic play. Specials: Art, Library, Music and Science.

Music

All the children learn about instrumental melodies, song, rhythm, dance, and expression with a musician.

Library

The children head to the Friends Free Library for story time with the Lower School librarian. This weekly experience includes a read aloud and free reading as well as story-telling on a felt board.

Art

Art expression is experienced daily through painting, drawing, gluing, and squishing play dough. An art specialist works with the Preschool once a week on projects like ceramics, silk screening, and paper making.

Emergent Literacy Concepts

Daily story time, story telling, creative dramatics, rhyming, and independent book reading builds an appreciation of reading and literature. The 3/4 class has a special story time each week in their classroom with the program’s founding director.

Emergent Math Concepts

Working with puzzles, sand, water, blocks, sorting, and cooking help to develop early math concepts.

Science

Childrens' inherent curiosity is fostered through both observations of nature (bugs, leaves, sea shells) and planned experiments (magnets, sinking and floating, freezing and melting).

Movement:

The children head to the gym for movement with a licensed physical therapist. They practice coordination and balance through activities such as yoga, obstacle courses, and parachute play.