Pre II

Thank you for your recent inquiry into our child care center, and our Pre II Program.  The Pre II  Program services children 2 – 3 years old. We are a small school, and offer a more intimate setting. This allows for the child’s growth and development, in a more relaxed environment.

In the Pre II Classroom (pre school/age two & three) we have a small group of only 12 to 15 students. We have two staff members, one teacher, and one assistant teacher. Following you will find a detailed description of the goals and curriculum for the Pre II Classroom.

How Young Children Learn.
Young children learn by doing. Learning is a complex process that results from the interaction of children’s own thinking and their experiences in the external world. Maturation is an important contributor to learning because it provides a framework from which children’s learning proceeds. As children get older, they acquire new skills and experiences that facilitate the learning process. For example, as children grow physically, they are more able to manipulate and explore their own environment. Also, as children mature, they are more able to understand the point of view of other people.

How young children learn should determine how teachers of young children teach. The word teach tends to imply telling or giving information. But the correct way to teach young children is not to lecture or verbally instruct them. Teachers of young children are more like guides or facilitators. They prepare the environment so that it provides stimulating, challenging materials and activities for children. Then, teachers closely observe to see what children understand and pose additional challenges to push their thinking further.

Two & Three-year-olds are no longer toddlers but they will behave like toddlers at times; at other times their language ability and motor skills will deceptively mimic the 4 year-old-year. They key for the teacher of 2s & 3s is to maintain appropriate expectations; teachers should not expect too little of this group, nor should they expect too much of them.

To care for and educate a group of 2 – 3 year olds, teachers need to fully understand the developmental continuum from toddler hood through the preschool years. At 2 ½, many children begin to display skills and behaviors most typical of 3-year olds. Thus children between 2 ½ and 3 ½ years of age are often similar developmentally. The common practice of multiage grouping, putting children of a wide age span together, further necessitates that teachers fully understand the continuum of development during the early years.

Developmentally appropriate practices for children of this age group include a program were Teachers/caregivers provide affection and support, comforting children when they cry and reassuring them when fearful. Teachers will plan experiences to alleviate children’s fears. Teachers support play and developing independence, helping when needed, but allowing them to do what they are capable of doing and what they want to do for themselves (“I can do it myself!”).

Teachers will provide opportunities for children to demonstrate and practice their newly developed self-helping skills and their desire to help adults with dressing and undressing (themselves), toileting, feeding themselves (including helping with pouring milk, or setting the table), brushing teeth, washing hands, and helping pick up toys. Teachers are patient with toileting accidents, spilled food, and unfinished jobs.

Teachers do provide many materials and opportunities for children to develop fine motor skills such as puzzles, pegboards, beads to string, construction sets, and art materials (crayon, brushes, paints, markers, play dough, blunt scissors). Although children’s scribbles are more controlled than those of toddlers, and 3 years olds will create designs with horizontal drawings and paintings, teachers do not expect a representational product. Art is viewed as creative expression and exploration of materials.

Physical Development is achieved when children are given daily opportunities to use a combination of large muscles, and small muscles. Large muscle development may include activities such as running, jumping and balancing. Outdoor activity is planned daily so children can develop large muscles skills, learn about outdoor environments, and express themselves freely, and loudly. Teachers will provide plenty of materials and time for children to explore and learn about the environment, to exercise the child’s desires for large muscle play (outdoor time).

When the child is provided with the right environment, and qualified teachers; the child’s natural curiosity and desire to make sense of their world, motivates them to become involved in learning activities. Teachers are qualified to work with 2 and 3 year olds through college level preparation in Early Childhood Education or Child Development and supervised experience with this age group. The group size and ratio of teachers to children is limited to enable individualize and age-appropriate programming. Two and Three year olds are in a group of no more than 15 children with 1 teacher, and 1 teacher’s assistant.

At our facility we strive to meet the expectations of each family, and pride ourselves in our ability to find the right combination of tools to assist the student in the ever growing process of learning. Please always feel welcome to “sit in” on your child’s class, or ask for an appointment with the class teacher at any time.

The Teacher assigned, Mrs. Hanna Khan, has been with our facility since November of 1993. Mrs. Khan earned her degree in Elementary Education, with several additional credits directly related to Early Childhood Education. Mrs. Khan is married and has two bright children, one is entering 4th grade, and the other entering his senior year of high school. Both are Stellar Students.

Each of our staff members are trained in Infant, Child, Adult, Two-Man CPR, and First Aid. We are also directly connected to the Hoffman Estates Police and Fire Departments.

If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time. Best of luck with your search, and we do hope that we can share in the joy of educating your young children.