At CAT, we believe that Early Childhood education should be playful, active, child-centered, and joyful! Our program focuses on academic, social, emotional, and physical development and it lays an important foundation for success in elementary school, high school, and beyond.
Our Early Childhood program at CAT gives children a wonderful introduction to school in a positive, progressive learning environment. Class sizes are small, and caring teachers and assistants strive to make every child love learning and want to come to school. The program is divided into four grade levels. Pre-Nursery is designed for 2 and 3-year-old children, Nursery is for 3 and 4-year-old children, Preschool for 4 and 5-year-old children, and Kindergarten for 5 and 6-year-old children.
The Early Childhood CAT curriculum includes language arts, math, music, fine and gross motor activities, science, social studies, Spanish, library, and physical education. There is a special emphasis on pre-reading and pre-math skills learned playfully through games and other hands-on activities.
Our classrooms are colorful and invite children to read/look at books and to learn socially through blocks, legos, puzzles, and other small manipulatives. Bulletin boards and classroom walls display student work and provide visual learning opportunities to students.
Spanish and English-speaking teachers work collaboratively so that students will be equally successful in both languages. Studies have shown that learning a language at a young age boosts problem-solving, critical thinking, and listening skills, in addition to improving memory, concentration, and the ability to multitask. Ninety percent of daily instruction is in English. Bilingual classroom teachers and assistants begin speaking English with students on the very first day of school.
This program is rich in resources and in personnel to support students. Class sizes are capped to ensure that students are able to receive individualized attention. Extra programs are provided as needed to support student achievement or to help with other school-related issues. The Early Childhood Counselor supports students in social, emotional, language, and physical development, and can provide assistance to teachers, students, and families when a student is having difficulty in any area of development that affects their performance and happiness at school.
Home-school communication is incredibly important at this age and parents are encouraged to attend Parent-Teacher conferences in November and February and to meet with the teacher or counselor when a need arises. We invite parents to reach out at any time they have a question or concern.
We are very proud of our school and excited to see the results that come from our
entire learning experience, that is why feel it is very important that our students
begin to be involved in it from an early age.
