How do you prepare preschoolers for kindergarten?

 Preparing preschoolers for kindergarten is all about progression and balance. As children grow into our preschool program, we gradually introduce more structure and new challenges while keeping learning fun and play-based. There is an intentional progression of expectations: for example, preschoolers practice following a daily routine, sitting for slightly longer circle times, and engaging in cooperative projects – all skills they will use in kindergarten.

We continue to emphasize open-ended, child-centered play because young children learn best by doing and exploring. At the same time, our curriculum is aligned with New York State’s early childhood learning standards to ensure that we meet and exceed the readiness goals for elementary school. This means our activities build foundational skills in literacy (like recognizing letters and sounds), math (like counting and simple patterns), fine motor control (using pencils and scissors), and social skills (like listening and raising a hand) in an age-appropriate way. By the time our preschoolers graduate, they are not only academically prepared for kindergarten – they’re also confident, curious, and excited for the next step in their learning journey.