Little Scholars With Bright Futures

Welcome to Pre-K

Our Pre-K program is where curiosity deepens, confidence grows, and children practice the skills they need to thrive in kindergarten and far beyond. Each day is intentionally designed to build strong academic foundations while nurturing independence, emotional intelligence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning.

At London Brook Academy, children begin to see themselves as capable learners and caring community members—supported by teachers who guide, encourage, and inspire.

Building Kindergarten-Ready Skills

Through hands-on, play-based learning and emerging academic practice, our Pre-K students explore:

  • Early literacy: letter recognition, phonemic awareness, name writing, storytelling & journaling

  • Pre-writing & handwriting practice

  • Math foundations: counting, sorting, patterns, early addition & subtraction, number writing

  • Science & nature exploration: inquiry-based experiments & seasonal investigations

  • Social-emotional learning: problem-solving, empathy, collaboration & leadership

We focus on real understanding, not rote memorization — children learn by doing, discussing, and discovering.

Rich Play-Based Learning

We honor the power of imagination, and Pre-K students learn through purposeful play including:

  • Dramatic play themes that rotate seasonally
    (home life, camping, bakery, post office, hospital, vet clinic, construction site, grocery store, etc.)

  • Sensory learning stations

  • Building & engineering invitations (LEGO, blocks, wood pieces, loose parts)

  • Art studio experiences — guided projects & open-ended creativity

  • Writing & literacy centers

  • Math manipulatives & problem-solving games

  • Early STEM exploration & nature studies

  • Cozy reading/library corner

Play here is not “just play” — it’s the foundation of learning.

Growing Independence

We help children develop real-world life skills and confidence through:

  • Self-help routines

  • Responsibility jobs & classroom roles

  • Opportunities for leadership

  • Collaborative projects & teamwork

  • Practicing manners, respect, and emotional regulation

  • Supporting peers & building friendships

This is where we see children shift from “I can try” to “I’ve got this!”

A Warm, Encouraging Environment

Just like every classroom at London Brook, our Pre-K environment reflects our belief that connection builds confidence.
Children are welcomed each day with care, structure, and belonging — and guided by teachers who know them deeply and celebrate who they are.

We are not just preparing children for school — we are preparing them for life.

Daily Anchors

1. Morning Connection

  • Warm greetings

  • Feelings check-in

  • Community-building routines

2. Family-Style Meals

  • Breakfast / Lunch / Snack

  • Self-help practice (pouring, serving, manners)

3. Morning Meeting

  • Songs, calendar, weather

  • Jobs, routines, and daily preview

4. Learning Centers

  • Child-led exploration

  • Literacy, math, science, dramatic play, art, blocks

5. Small-Group Instruction

  • Focused skill building

  • Teacher-guided academic and fine-motor work

6. Outdoor Exploration

  • Gross motor play

  • Nature walks

  • Social collaboration and problem-solving

7. Story & Literacy Time

  • Read-aloud

  • Comprehension talk

  • Vocabulary building

8. STEAM / Project Work

  • Inquiry-based learning

  • Hands-on experiments and creative tasks

9. Rest & Regulation

  • Rest time

  • Mindfulness or quiet choices

  • Emotional regulation support

10. Closing Circle

  • Daily reflection

  • Songs

  • Goodbye ritual

A Day With Our Pre-K Scholars

7:00 – 8:00 AM | Arrival & Morning Warm-Up

  • Greetings and check-in

  • Independent table activities (puzzles, manipulatives, coloring)

  • Gentle transition music and soft lighting

  • Bathroom/wash-hands

8:00 – 8:30 AM | Breakfast

  • Family-style meal

  • Passing, pouring, and serving practice

  • Social conversation prompts: “Tell me something exciting from your morning…”

  • Cleanup helpers

8:30 – 9:00 AM | Morning Meeting

  • Welcome song

  • Calendar, weather, and job helpers

  • Social-emotional check-in (Zones of Regulation / feelings chart)

  • Mini-lesson preview of the day’s learning focus

9:00 – 10:00 AM | Learning Centers & Small-Group Instruction

Centers rotate weekly to match themes:

  • Literacy

  • Math & manipulatives

  • Creative art

  • Science/sensory

  • Dramatic play

  • Blocks/construction

Small-group teacher-led work:

  • Math and Literacy Skills

  • Fine-motor practice

  • Multi-Step Art and Science Projects

10:00 – 10:45 AM | Outdoor Play / Gross Motor

  • Large motor exploration

  • Social problem-solving practice with teacher support

  • Nature observation walks (weather-permitting)

10:45 – 11:00 AM | Bathroom, Water Break & Transition

  • Transition back to classroom - return belongings to cubbies

  • Full class water and bathroom breaks

  • Time to practice walking in a line and transitioning in hallways.

11:00 AM – 11:30 AM | Literacy or STEAM Circle

  • Read-aloud & comprehension discussion

  • Theme-based science, math, or exploration activity

  • Inquiry questions: “What do you know? What do you wonder?” “What did you learn?”

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Lunch – Family Style

  • Self-serving practice

  • Manners and social skills

  • Classroom helpers (table wipes, floor sweepers)

12:00 – 12:30 PM | Bathroom, Personal Care & Wind-Down

12:30 – 3:00 PM | Rest Time

  • Quiet music / white noise

  • Individual cot activities for early wakers (books, quiet bins)

3:00 – 3:30 PM | Snack & Gentle Transition

3:30 – 4:00 PM | Afternoon Centers / Project Work

  • Continuation of morning centers

  • Teacher-guided project work (art, science, group construction)

4:15 – 4:45 PM | Outdoor Play (PM Session) / Gross Motor Indoors if Needed

4:45 – 5:00 PM | Closing Circle

  • Reflection (“What was your favorite part of today?”)

  • Story time

  • Songs & goodbyes

5:00 – 6:00 PM | Choice Time

  • Choice centers

  • Arts and crafts, manipulatives, puzzles, sensory, math, science, blocks, etc.

  • Individualized support for students still present

Guiding Principles & Philosophy

At London Brook Academy, our Pre-K philosophy is rooted in the belief that young children learn best through meaningful relationships, purposeful play, and hands-on exploration. We view each child as capable, unique, and intrinsically motivated to learn when they feel safe, supported, and connected to their community.

1. Whole-Child Development

We nurture the social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth of every child. Pre-K experiences are designed to build confidence, self-regulation, creativity, early academic skills, and a lifelong love of learning.

2. Safe, Predictable, and Loving Environment

Children thrive when they know what to expect and feel seen and heard. Our routines, expectations, and interactions create emotional safety, belonging, and trust.

3. Learning Through Play

Play is a child’s work. Through guided play, open-ended materials, and meaningful choices, children practice problem-solving, communication, imagination, and early academic concepts in authentic ways.

4. Social–Emotional Foundations

We model and teach empathy, kindness, emotional expression, conflict resolution, and cooperation. These skills form the foundation for successful relationships and future learning.

5. Inquiry, Curiosity, and Discovery

Our curriculum encourages children to wonder, ask questions, explore, and experiment. Teachers support learning by observing children’s interests and extending their thinking through intentional experiences.

6. Inclusive, Culturally Responsive Practice

We honor the diverse backgrounds, strengths, languages, and identities of all children and families. Every child’s story matters, and the classroom reflects and celebrates their lived experiences.

7. Strong Teacher–Child Relationships

Responsive, warm interactions guide everything we do. Teachers listen, model, scaffold, and encourage children at every step, building confidence and a sense of capability.

8. Partnerships With Families

Families are a child’s first teachers. We collaborate with parents through open communication, shared goals, and mutual respect to create consistency and support each child’s success.

9. Prepared Environment

Our Pre-K classrooms are intentionally arranged to promote independence, calm, and engagement. Materials are accessible, inviting, and developmentally appropriate, supporting both structured learning and child-led exploration.

10. Readiness for Kindergarten and Beyond

We build the foundational skills—social, emotional, academic, and self-help—that prepare children for kindergarten and future school success. We emphasize curiosity, confidence, responsibility, and a love of learning over rote performance.