Curriculum:

Our program is based upon the premise that each child has his / her own developmental calendar. A thorough evaluation of each child will determine the child's unique learning style. The parent can become an integral part of the child's continuing education once we know how the child learns best. With parent participation, the child can be encouraged to advance in critical areas that can further enhance learning. Our teachers, therefore, recognize the needs of each child and direct their teaching practices to make learning a rewarding experience for each student.

Preschool - Our preschool program for three and four year olds is designed to meet the needs of all children's developmental areas: physical, social, creative, emotional, and cognitive. Our daily schedule includes a balance between indoor and outdoor activities, quiet and active times, gross and fine motor activities and large and small group times. Children are introduced to nature, social studies, math and pre-reading on their developmentally appropriate level.

Music, art and play are an integral part of the daily schedule. Songs and poems are used to acquaint children with not only the alphabet and numbers, but also an introduction to phonemic awareness. Safety and health are an important part of the daily routine. A language art series, which helps in the development of vocabulary concepts, listening abilities, creative thinking, appreciation for fine literature, visual discrimination, auditory perception and emotional adjustment is presented during the school year. A structured phonics program is taught to the older four year olds by means of a Phonovisual system with games and pictures. Creativity in painting, coloring, cutting and pasting, clay and dramatization, as well as gross motor and tumbling activities, music and computers round out what we feel is a full and exciting program.


Age Requirements:

2 day program: The child must turn three by December 31, and be toilet trained.

3 day AM program: The child must turn three by October 31, and be toilet trained.
3 day PM program: The child must turn three by October 31, and be toilet trained.

5 day program: The child must turn four by December 31.



Junior Kindergarten:

The Junior Kindergarten class is available for those children who have not yet reached that level of overall maturity which determines developmental readiness for kindergarten. This extra year in preschool provides them the "tools" necessary for kindergarten success.

Age Requirements:
To start Junior Kindergarten in September, the child must turn five by December 31.



Kindergarten:

Our kindergarten curriculum has been carefully designed to teach the skills necessary for a higher level of learning.
Instruction has been set up and correlated with the Fairfax County school system so that the transition from Accotink Academy to private and public school elementary grades will be an easy one for the child.

Our teachers are trained in the Phonovisual method of teaching phonics. We have found this unique multisensory system to be extremely successful in teaching the young child the basis of sound / symbol relationship that is the foundation for reading. By means of games, the child learns to identify and isolate each consonant sound. As the child becomes developmentally ready, he/she is encouraged to use written symbol for sounds. Independent creative writing, poetry, and thematic fantasy play enhance the language arts program.

The math program is introduced through games, manipulatives, computers, and printed reinforcement materials. Unit studies each month provide an integrated curriculum which is enhanced by field trips. Science, social studies, art, music, and movement experiences are included in an integrated program. Ballet, tumbling, music, drama and conversational Spanish complete the full kindergarten program.

Opportunities are provided for the child to use his/her creative abilities and divergent thinking skills in a caring, safe environment.

Age Requirements:
To start Kindergarten in September, the child must turn five by September 30