Kindergarten
5-years-old by Sept. 1st
Poko Loko offers a full or part-time Kindergarten program. Ratios are great, one teacher for no more than twenty students. All meals are provided including breakfast, lunch and two nutritious snacks. Our Kindergarten program is designed to prepare our students for a smooth transition into elementary school. Because our small class size allows for a lot of individual attention, we are confident that your child will be able to master our course without difficulty. Curriculum textbooks will include mathematics, reading and phonics. Our teachers will constantly reinforce and teach both school skills and social skills that will be needed for elementary school. Monthly field trips as well as special musical and artistic performances are also included in our kindergarten program.
Daily Schedule
Half-day hours include 6:30 a.m.–12 noon; Full-day hours include 6:30 a.m.–6:00 pm
Early Morning—Student Arrival
(6:30 a.m.– 9:00 a.m.)
As parents drop off their child, a warm welcome awaits. Kindergarteners are free to explore and interact with the different areas of enrichment that the classroom offers including computer skills. Cereal and milk for breakfast will be offered at 7:30 a.m., and if the weather permits they will head outdoors to our playground for some social interaction and gross motor development.
Structured Learning
(9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)
Our kindergarten program begins each day with circle time. Children are acclimated to school routines and duties. These activities will include theme related units in science, social studies, and other school age topics. Basic learning skills such as reading, math, and phonics will also be addressed. There is also time set aside for artistic and imaginative development during art, music, singing, and story time segments. Every morning, a healthy snack is also offered and outdoor playtime is allotted.
Afternoon
(11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)
As noon approaches, the children grow hungry and tired. Our in house chef always prepares a meal that is both balanced and nutritious. After lunch, our kindergarteners have quiet time on their individual cots for approximately 1 hour—time is variable. Weather permitting, our kindergarteners are able to enjoy a little extra recess time before quiet time.
Late Afternoon—Parent Pick Up
(2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
Every afternoon will begin with another healthy snack and a worksheet to reinforce the mornings’ lesson. When completed, the room is opened up to free play and social time. Outdoor play time is also available until your child is picked up.
Our Space
Information
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Our ratio for five-year-olds is one teacher per twenty children, although generally the class has fewer children than this.
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Periodically throughout the year children will move up to an older room. The children are usually eager for this move because they are going to a new room that is stimulating and exciting. Their curriculum is getting more challenging, and they will be encouraged to learn and try new things. To help with this change, Poko Loko will let the child visit the new room before she moves. Parents will also be informed of this move.
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Our children take their naps on cots. Each child has his own cot with a blanket and sheet that is washed at least once a week.
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Our Kindergarten class follows a stimulating and well organized program every morning from 9:00 a.m. until 11:40 a.m. The children also create an art project every day. In the afternoon, there is structured play during which the children can choose what they would like to do. During the day the children eat breakfast, two snacks, and lunch together, and they all nap at the same time.
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Every month the parents receive the curriculum that their child’s class is following. The curriculum includes the special subjects the children are learning about and any special projects they will complete as well as our special songs, books, and activities.
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Poko Loko provides cereal and milk for breakfast for children who are at the center by 7:30 a.m. The children are fed a snack at about 10:00 a.m. and then again after naptime. Snacks may include fresh fruit, yogurt, cheese and crackers, etc., and milk or juice. Children are served a hot, nutritious, delicious lunch every day. Parents may take a copy of our monthly menu to see what we are serving. Please let your child’s teacher know if there is anything your child cannot have.
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Please leave a weather-appropriate outfit at the center in case we have to change your child for any reason. If your child has a special blanket that comforts him at naptime, please feel free to leave that with us also. Please label your child’s clothes and special articles with his name.