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cooperative learning approachAt Sunrise Preschool, education is a family process where both the children and their parents benefit from our cooperative learning environment. We believe that parent participation creates a natural transition from home to school for our preschoolers.
Sunrise provides 3 to 5 year-old children with a structured beginning school experience. We have two class sessions, one for 3 to 4 year old children (3's Class) and the other for 4 to 5 year old children (Pre-K Class). Routines and planned activities are emphasized within a nurturing and caring environment. A balance between freedom and guidance, group and individual activity, active and inactive experiences is the goal of the teachers for the daily schedule. Flexibility within the schedule is a must as the behavior and attitudes of the children are considered each day. Typically, each day includes arrival time, small room activity, clean up, group time, physical activity, restroom break, nutritious snack, quiet time, guided craft or science activity, closing, and final dismissal. Our facilities include the interactive classroom, a large activity room for movement and an outdoor play area when weather and time permits. The children are encouraged to learn more about their world through interaction with special visitors, and parents are encouraged to share their special skills and gifts with the class. A variety of field trips are scheduled throughout the year which provide interesting and engaging ways to experience the world around us. Most field trips and excursions are included with the monthly tuition. We celebrate birthdays and major holidays in the classroom. Each class has an early childhood education teacher, a full-time teachers aide, and a participating parent which rotates through a schedule. The Pre-K class includes preparation for kindergarten basics. We use the ‘Letter People Program’ which focuses on promoting phonological awareness and building alphabet skills. |
How do parents participate?
Parents and guardians are an integral part of the Sunrise classroom each day, acting as the classroom helper approximately once per month. As the classroom helper, the volunteer is actively involved in the activities for that day and provides the daily nutritional snack for the class. Throughout the school year, parents and guardians help to coordinate and plan classroom parties, school functions, etc. Involvement in classroom field trips and school fundraising initiatives is encouraged.
Our preschool is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, which includes six to eight board member positions as well as teacher participation. Those parents and caregivers who are interested in serving on the Board of Directors each year are elected in the spring by the previous board and serve a one year term beginning in June.
Though located in the First Presbyterian Church building, Sunrise Preschool is a secular and independent school. The preschool was originally sponsored and subsidized by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) in 1962. In 1989, the school became independent from AAUW, and in 1999 the preschool changed its name to Sunrise Preschool, and remains as an independent non-profit organization.
Our preschool is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, which includes six to eight board member positions as well as teacher participation. Those parents and caregivers who are interested in serving on the Board of Directors each year are elected in the spring by the previous board and serve a one year term beginning in June.
Though located in the First Presbyterian Church building, Sunrise Preschool is a secular and independent school. The preschool was originally sponsored and subsidized by the American Association of University Women (AAUW) in 1962. In 1989, the school became independent from AAUW, and in 1999 the preschool changed its name to Sunrise Preschool, and remains as an independent non-profit organization.
