PARENT TODDLER PLAYGROUP: The Parent-Toddler Playgroup is for children 15 months to 2.9 years of age and meets on Mondays for 10 weeks during the spring, 9 AM to 10:30 AM. See below for more information.
PRE-K CLASS: The Pre-K Program is for 4 and 5 year olds and meets from 9 AM to 12:30 PM on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. To enter the Pre-K Class children must be at least 4 on or before September 1. The child to staff ratio is 6:1.
PRESCHOOL CLASS: The Preschool Program is for children 2.9 through 4 years old and meets 9:15 AM to 12:45 PM on Tuesday through Friday. You may opt to sign your child up for two, three, or four of those days. The child to staff ratio is 5:1.
Please see the Registration Form on the Forms page for pricing.
All classes follow the same basic philosophy as stated throughout our literature:
- An integrated, process-oriented, thematic approach with the incorporation of children's literature
- Activities are based on weekly/monthly themes
- Combine language, math, science, music, art and cooking related experiences
- Lots of stories through books and story telling techniques
- Open-ended learning activities for the children throughout the day as they visit various interest areas
- Children learn through discovery while visiting various interest areas
- And of course, there are caring experienced teachers who foster independence through warm and encouraging direction while serving as facilitators of the learning process
- There is a careful balance of individual, small group, and large group activities
The Preschool Class is a perfect first or second “away from home” experience. Expectations of children are based upon the general maturity of the group. The teachers focus on acclimating children to the new routines and challenges that being away from mom may pose for a longer period of time in the beginning of the year. The experiences offered in this group are simple and easily followed by children 2 years 9 months through four years of age. So, if you were to walk into the classroom and look at some of things the children accomplish, the differences between what each child learns from the experiences is based upon each child’s ability. If a child is just beginning to recognize colors, an activity will accomplish that for that child, if a child is recognizing letters and words, there will be an activity that will accomplish that as well. Children also enjoy learning from and helping their peers in mixed aged groupings such as this.
The Pre-K Class is a more homogeneous group. It was originally designed to meet the needs of those children who missed the cut off for Kindergarten or had late summer birthdays and were not quite mature enough for Kindergarten. The popularity of this option transformed the class into a Pre-K class for children turning four before September. Nonetheless the class has higher expectations for independence than the Preschool Class. It is definitely a great Kindergarten Prep choice for children with school experience.
Ultimately, it is the goal of Discover Preschool to help children to accomplish the following skills to ensure their readiness for Kindergarten and to become responsible people and lifelong learners.
- Work independently
- Attend or listen to what someone else is saying
- Get along with other children of the same age
- Learn and participate in structured situations such as play and story reading
- Focus or key in and listen to one central person in the classroom
- Learn (have the necessary social skills/ability) in a co-operative learning environment
- Where children learn from teachers and from one another
- Play with other children (wait their turn in line and so on)
Extended Day Programs
Sign up your kiddo to each lunch and have some more play time with their friends too!
Pre-K Stay & Play (12:30 PM - 2:30 PM, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday)
Preschool Stay & Play (12:45 PM - 2:45 PM, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday)
Stay & Play Extreme (Fridays - same times as Stay & Play) You don’t want your kiddo to miss these special Friday Stay and Play Extremes! They will have lunch, play with their friends, and participate in special events like pumpkin painting in October, decorating gingerbread houses in December, Field Day in the Spring, Pizza Parties, and many other special events!
30 Minute Early Drop Off - $8 drop in rate
Enrichment Specialists
Coach Michelle (sports & gross motor games)
Wiggles & Giggles (music & movement)
Mass Audubon Science (seasonal science & hands on exploration)
Steve the Science Guy (science, magic, and comedy for kids)
Click this link to check out our 2023-2024 Parent Handbook too!
Parent Toddler Playgroup
Join us with your little one on Monday mornings for peer play, art activities, story time, music, and snack. Our playgroup is staffed by an experienced Discover Preschool teacher. Children who are 15 months - 2.9 years are eligible to enroll with a parent/caregiver. This 10 week playgroup is 9:00 AM - 10:30 AM, March to mid-May. Please call 978-475-9706 for more information. We look forward to meeting you and your toddler!
Parent Toddler Playgroup Registration Form (Spring 2023)