Learn about the various classes and programs Weekday Nursery School offers.
TWO YEAR OLD CLASS
Our two year old program is focused on providing a positive initial learning experience for each child in preparation for early success and school readiness. Through games, art, interactive learning centers in math and language, and circle time our two year old children learn and grow at their own pace. Our developmentally appropriate curriculum incorporates concepts such as letters, number, colors and language skills.
Our two and a half hour program is offered either two days or three days per week and provides outdoor recess (or indoor gym time in our full size gym in inclement weather). There is a focus on the social and emotional aspects of a child’s development. This introduction to the learning process is a wonderful way for children to begin a lifelong love of learning. The program is offered from 9:00-11:30.
THREE YEAR OLD CLASS
The three year old class focuses on socialization, learning classroom rules and becoming familiar with the school environment. Developmentally appropriate lessons and material focus on fine motor development (to strengthen muscles and develop handwriting skills), shapes, alphabet and number recognition. There is an emphasis on literature and the children are encouraged to engage in stories and participate in discussion about the story. This will hopefully lead to a love of reading and curiosity about the world around us.
The activities in the classroom are hands-on so the children learn while participating. They may be building a volcano and watching it erupt, making applesauce or predicting if an object will sink or float. Math and science are blended into daily lessons in this way to encourage exploration and creative thinking. The three year old program is offered five days per week from 9:00-12:00 or for a longer day, from 9:00-2:00.
FOUR YEAR OLD PROGRAM
Weekday’s four year old program is designed around the New York State prekindergarten foundation for the common core. Our goal is to introduce children to developmentally appropriate topics in science, math, literature and the arts through hands on participation. Children learn through doing and hopefully become engaged and energized in the process. Handwriting and letter recognition are stressed to prepare the children for kindergarten and their elementary school career.
The prekindergarten program is offered five days per week from 9:00-12:00 or for a longer day, from 9:00-2:00.
KINDERSTEPS
Kindersteps is a class dedicated to preparing the students for kindergarten. This class is designed to bridge the year between preschool and kindergarten, providing students with a strong foundation for success in elementary school and beyond. Although the curriculum in Kindersteps is based on the kindergarten standards, it will be introduced at a slower pace than kindergarten. The Kindersteps program focuses on giving the students opportunities for social-emotional growth, language development and communication through dramatic play; small group instruction; and intentional academic teaching from a licensed, experienced teacher.
The Kindersteps program is offered five days per week from 9:00-2:00.
TODDLER & ME
Young children 15 months to three years old are introduced to Weekday Nursery School in this once a week class. The young children begin to socialize, learn a classroom routine and participate in group activities if they wish with a parent by their side. The goal of the class for this age group is to provide a positive school experience so that when the children begin preschool they will know what to expect and will be ready to be independent. These classes are led by an experienced Weekday teacher. The class meets from 9:30-10:45 once per week in eight week sessions.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Special enrichment classes in Spanish, STEAM, Fine Art, Yoga and Music & Movement are offered during the school day depending on the child’s schedule. Expert teachers come to the school to expose the children to weekly sessions of this unique enrichment. In addition to these daily classes, schoolwide cultural arts visits from the likes of Sweetbriar Nature Center, Cornell University Cooperative Extension and musicians complement the year for our students.
BEFORE & AFTER CARE
Weekday offers before and after care for our students beginning at 7:00 AM until 5:00 PM. The routine for this care will be structured and will include time for napping, snacks, and physical exercise and activities in math, science, music and literature. The children will be supervised by experienced teachers.
