Intermediates - Preschool for 3 Year Olds

Preschool: Ages 33 Months to Pre-K

Our intermediate program supports children’s growing curiosity about the world around them. As children’s language skills develop and strengthen, teachers encourage them to ask questions and to express their emotions, and our teachers assist children in navigating social relationships with ease and grace. Belonging to a group is an important milestone at this age, allowing us to begin building children’s self-esteem and celebrating their individuality.

Communication

Thoughtful and outstanding communication is essential to a family’s experience in our program. Expect face-to-face interactions with your child’s teachers every day. Families are invited to stay connected to their child’s daily activities via the Procare Connect app.

Curriculum

Guided by the interests of the children, our teachers deliver emergent curriculum based on developing questions, theories, and ideas. These activities foster self-help skills, encourage social emotional development, and deliver a wide variety of educational experiences.

The Very Best Start

Unique to Kinderberry Hill, our lower teacher-child ratio of 1:8 and small class size of just 16, allows your young preschooler to grow and develop in an intimate learning environment. Strong, trusting relationships form with teachers as they help your child begin to build their own friendships.

Classroom Environment

Designed to be welcoming and captivating, our classrooms provide areas for children to be curious, energetic, and eager learners. Art, sensory, blocks, language, manipulatives, science, math, and dramatic play areas are all richly enhanced with unique and beautiful loose parts materials that encourage open-ended play. These natural, found, and real-life items help to provide endless opportunities for children to use their creativity, develop their emerging sense of self, and learn at their own pace.

Through ongoing observation and assessment our teachers intentionally plan activities and invitations to support children. Our teachers ask open-ended questions to encourage children to further their discussions and thinking. Play opportunities are provided throughout the day to encourage each child’s sense of discovery.

UNIQUE ADVANTAGES

We know families with young children are very busy. After all, we have families too!
Our all-inclusive tuition provides benefits that will save you valuable time each day.

Personal care items, including wipes, diapers, pull-ups, sunscreen, toothpaste, and tooth brushes.
Nutritious meals and healthy snacks.
Individualized care by our school nurse.

We chose Kinderberry because of the low staff turnover, the consistency of staff, the communication with parents, and the way they meet the social/emotional and developmental needs of the children. Additionally, when we visited, all the staff were smiling, and the kids seemed genuinely happy to be there… we feel privileged to be able to enroll our child here!

–Kinderberry Parent

A Preschooler's Day at Kinderberry Hill

Welcome to Intermediates! Each day is thoughtfully planned and enriched for the ever-changing specific interests of the children. Our classrooms are the third teacher as they play a foundational role in making learning meaningful. Our spaces empower children to explore and discover independently, while surrounded by materials that reflect their interests. Our teachers are attentive and responsive, engaging in back-and-forth interactions to help children build a strong foundation for learning and play in a trusting, and welcoming environment.

Arrival & Pick Up

Our Kinderberry Hill families are essential to our Kinderberry Hill community. We invite families to join us to read stories, celebrate special occasions and even share in play and learning with other Kinderberry families. We encourage our families to join us on field trips, share their family traditions or even come in and cook a favorite family recipe. When you and your preschooler arrive at school, your child will be eagerly welcomed into their classroom by our nurturing teachers and their excited friends. We incorporate special greetings from Conscious Discipline to promote belonging and connection among our classroom community. They will then be invited to place their belongings in their very own locker and begin exploring a classroom intentionally set up for learning and play. At pick-up you will find your preschooler eager to see you and share their excitement about their day at Kinderberry Hill. We encourage families to come into the classroom and see the documentation and progress on projects after a full day! Teachers will pass along specific details about your child’s day and wish your family a good night. We can’t wait to see you tomorrow!

Mealtimes

Balanced and healthy meals including breakfast, lunch and snack, are prepared on site and served family style. Self-serving is an important part of our mealtime routine. This promotes making choices, appetite awareness, and develops a sense of independence and capability. Your child will enjoy delicious meals while growing a strong sense of community through engaging and lively conversations with peers and teachers.

Group Time

Favorite songs, books, games, and conversations bring this small community together during group times. Using a variety of music, fingerplays, props and FUN children practice letters, numbers and letter sounds, as well as explore new vocabulary each week. In-depth discussions take place regarding our current study. The class will take time to share discoveries of yesterday and ask more questions to guide learning going forward. Our long-term projects often take center stage during group time. This time is also used to share kindness and express care for our community members. We celebrate each other and extend happiness and friendship through the practice of kind words and actions to express these feelings.

Small Groups and Classroom Explorations

The entire classroom is open for classroom exploration. Our teachers intentionally set up provocations to promote curiosity and challenge children through play. During this exploration time, teachers also work with small groups of children to focus on specific educational outcomes, i.e. fine and large motor skills, letter sounds, letters of our names, number concepts, as well a social emotional skills and practices like recognizing emotions of others, sharing, taking turns and more.

Outside Play

Sunshine and fresh air are highly valued at Kinderberry Hill. At least once daily, whether it’s sun, rain, wind or snow, your child will enjoy running, climbing, digging, and pedaling outside. This space is specifically designed for preschoolers, and we encourage children to engage in risky play that tests their body’s abilities and improves strength and coordination. This play builds confidence and can reduce injuries, as children learn to understand their body’s abilities! Our teachers enrich outdoor spaces regularly with new provocations, water play experiences, art activities, instruments, games, songs and more. Your child will also be able to enjoy a full day outside in our outdoor classroom. These spaces are designed for all day outdoor learning and teachers form lessons and experiences just as they would inside. We enjoy naps and meals outside when possible and each of these spaces are Nature Explore Certified.

Nap & Rest Time

Your preschooler will be invited to snuggle up with their favorite blanket and favorite comfort toy on their very own cozy cot for naptime. Dimmed lights, soft music and teachers rubbing backs ensure naptime is a soothing transition in which children can recharge for the full and fun afternoon ahead.

WonderLab Enrichments

Your curious preschooler will thrive in our STEAM and Spanish WonderLab classes! These classes encourage children to experience hands on play and fun while learning STEAM concepts and building a strong foundation in the Spanish Language! Music, movement, and exploration are key components of these engaging classes.