Beginners | Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten |
Tutoring | Day Care | Summer Sessions
 

 

Beginners: For our youngest students and those children entering a group situation for the first time, we have designed our Beginners program. Beginners are usually 2 and a half. The Beginners class spends some time alone with the teacher and joins our older children for singing, stories, free play and art. Beginners' session runs Mondays and Thursdays from 9:00-11:00.

Children with the following skills are ready to move beyond Beginners:
 

  • Speaks clearly enough to be understood by strangers.
  • Speaks in at least five-word sentences.
  • Tells if two shapes or colors are the same.
  • Takes turns and shares.
  • Sits still and listens for 5-10 minutes.
  • Counts three objects.
  • Has an interest in writing and counting.
  • Recognizes his/her name in print.
  • Can scribble or write letters, pretend read or read, count.
  • Can use markers, crayons, scissors.
  • Recognizes some letters and numbers.
  • Naps less than an hour each day.
  • Has been in a group setting before.
  • Puts on a coat and shoes by him/herself.
  • Complies with reasonable requests made by unfamiliar adults.
  • Follows two part instructions (Find your shoes and bring them to me).
  • Can be away from you for several hours without being upset.
  • Usually communicates needs and frustrations using language rather than tantrums or withdrawal.
  • Transitions from one activity to another reasonably easily.
  • Takes care of bathroom needs by him/herself.
 

Pre-Kindergarten:
Three- and 4-year-old children enroll for pre-kindergarten and join our kindergartners in our multi-age setting. In addition to stories, singing, free play and art, our pre-kindergarten curriculum includes science, math, literacy, P.E. and music activities. Children are challenged at their own developmental level and have the advantage of interacting with older role models. Families may create their own schedule of part-days, full-days, or a combination of part- and full-days. (In certain cases it is possible to change a child from a part-day program to a full-day program once the school year has started.) Children may attend pre-kindergarten three or four days per week.

Kindergarten: The Learning Workshop kindergarten program prepares the whole child for the experience of first grade. Our kindergarten curriculum is based on the Washington State Commission's Essential Academic Learning Requirements for kindergarten. Learning Workshop kindergartners are challenged academically and receive much one-on-one instruction in math, reading and writing in a small group setting. Often they enter first grade with academic skills above grade level. In a multiage setting our students learn to work with other children at a variety of developmental levels. This experience nurtures their empathy and ability to cooperate and problem solve. The structure of our program allows our students to become comfortable with the behavior expected of them in a school setting. Since we are a multiage school, children who are 4 and need more challenge than the typical preschool activities easily receive the extra mental stimulation by working with the kindergartners. Children who need an extra year in kindergarten also find appropriate challenge in our school. Children attending The Learning Workshop for kindergarten are encouraged to enroll in our full-day program or a combination of part- and full-days. We also offer Friday as a For Kindergartners Only day.

Tutoring: Tutoring is available after school by appointment for children in kindergarten, first and second grade. Tutoring sessions include 45-50 minutes of direct work with the child.

Day Care: Day Care is available Monday through Thursday from 3:00-5:45. Children may enroll for regular or occasional day care. The adult in charge of Day Care is the teacher or teacher assistant. Healthy snacks must be sent from home.

Summer Sessions: The Learning Workshop offers summer sessions during July and August. The schedule of activities is relaxed, with many opportunities to enjoy the pleasant weather of summer. Our organized activities are exciting and meaningful and focus on art, science and nature themes. The Summer Sessions Schedule and Fees is distributed in Spring. We require that students new to The Learning Workshop attend at least one week of summer sessions to meet a few classmates and become acquainted with the teachers and our school.