Redemptive Life Preschool program curriculum follows the Florida State Sunshine Standards and Benchmarks utilizing The Creative Curriculum for preschool in combination with the Abeka Curriculum . Our preschool program provides a strategically planned, structured curriculum developed with the guidance of educational professionals, and curriculum trained staff. These curriculums incorporate elements in these areas of learning.

Each three and four year old will have a set of workbooks and additional materials that they will complete with the ongoing instruction in language, phonics, reading, math, numbers and bible; Also music, poetry and finger play skills is apart of their development that is emphasized during our ten month program. They will be able to recognize and print first name with upper and lower case letters, naming basic colors and shapes, finding upper and lower case letters when named, recognizing numbers 1-20, memorizing bible verses and poems, singing songs, rhyming band etc.

Our teachers encourage creative freedom through free and imaginative play, arts and crafts, music, science, gross and fine motor skill activities. The philosophy of our preschool is to “Create a Culture of Excellence” which allows the children to gain knowledge through active learning and creative play.

During the course of the program a special time will be scheduled that gives dads, moms or other family members an opportunity to observe a short version of the preschool program.

The learning environment – The classrooms are organized into well defined interesting areas.  The children will be able to find and use materials to learn about themselves, solve problems and their world.

Hands – on –Learning – The children are involved daily in active learning which includes hands- on experiences.  They learn through using their senses which helps to develop their knowledge of the world around them.

Teacher- child interaction – Teachers interact, guide and observe the children as they are actively engaged in learning.  The teachers work with the children individually, in large and small groups through out the day.

Daily Schedule – A daily schedule is used to develop consistency and routines in the child’s day at school. Large or small group instructions are included in their daily routine. The children are involved in making decisions, following through, and then discuss the out come with their teachers and peers.

Assessment – The preschool program will use an on going observational tool (report card) that is aligned with the Sunshine State Standards and Benchmarks.  The teachers will note the results during November, March and May.

Literacy -Florida Statute 411.01 requires that children be read to for a minimum of thirty (30) minutes throughout the day.  The curricula manuals provides developmentally appropriate strategies to promote literacy which are used with the children in a small or large group and also individually.  Pictures books, big books, computer educational learning interaction games (jumpstart, author, Dora) words with pictures, ABEKA readers are some examples of the tools that are used.  The resource library at Family Central is accessible to parents and teachers to borrow materials or other learning tools to use at home with their children to promote early reading.

School Calendar - Preschool runs from mid-August through the end-May. A calendar for the year will be given to each parent at the beginning of the school year. The calendar is subject to change with notification. Monthly reminders are sent out at the beginning of each month.

Program Schedule – Our teachers encourage creative freedom through free play, imaginative play, arts and crafts, music, science, and gross and fine motor activities. Field trips and guest speakers are also incorporated into our curriculum to expose the children to their community. What looks like play to the observer and feels like play to the child, is really a carefully planned program, developed to build self confidence, expand understanding, teach responsibility and increase motor skills.

Daily activities planned by the individual teachers include:

1. Independent Play - all interest centers are open to the children: library, housekeeping, gross motor area, and art, small manipulative (puzzles, games, peg boards, blocks), sand and water table, music, science and computer areas.
2. Citizenship - Calendar - Finger plays
3. Craft
4. Snack
5. Language Arts - Creative Arts
6. Group Play - records, songs, gym or outside activities

Bible
Memorizing bible verses A-Z
Memorizing the names of Jesus
Memorizing a portion of the books of the bible
Recite poems
Pray simple prayers (Our Father Prayer)

Music
Playing with basic musical instruments
Learning the names of different instruments
Singing songs
Dancing (twisting, shaking, rocking, marching, etc.)
Listening to different sounds (loud or soft)

Social Relationships
Participating in large and small group activities
Expressing what they are feeling in words
Learn to solve problems while playing
Learning to making decisions and follow through
Taking care of their daily needs
Playing corporately
Making friends and building lasting relationships with peers and family members
Showing kindness, love, gentleness to the needs of others

Creative learning
Painting and drawing
Role play and pretend play
Describing people, places and things
Following the leader
Building things using play dough, blocks and other materials

Language and Literacy
Picture reading
Telling stories, listening to stories and acting out stories
Self expression, singing, speaking, laughing, repeating words
Different forms of writing: scribbling, coloring, tracing and drawing

Ongoing skills emphasized during our 10 month program are:

1. Recognize and print first name with first letter in upper case and remaining letters in lower case.
2. Find upper and lower case letters when named.
3. Name basic colors and shapes.
4. Recite numbers 1-30; Count objects and identify numbers from 1-15.
5. Dress independently.
6. Speak clearly in front of a group
7. Use scissors with moderate control.
8. Look at books from left to right.
9. Know address and phone number first and last name age and date of birth.
10. Develop large motor skills through games and activities.
11. Play independently and with classmates.
12. Listen to and follow simple directions.
13. Participate in songs, finger plays, and circle time discussions.
14. Control use of a crayon, marker, pencil, and paintbrush.

Developmental Recommendations - Most children require a certain amount of time to adjust to the preschool program. After this initial adjustment period, if the teacher has a concern about a child's developmental progress, she may recommend a referral. The referral would be to a local agency designed to accommodate the child's individual needs with parent notification and consent.

Screening and Assessment - Florida Statute 411.01 requires that each child receives a level 1 developmental screening using the coalition approved screening tools.  We use the “Ages & Stages questionnaire and the Early Screening Inventory (ESI-K) that is approved by Family Central in conjunction with our ABEKA curriculum.  This observation record covers five (5) areas: Communication, Personal - Social, Problem Solving, Fine Motor and Gross Motor Skills.  A child who falls below minimum level of score on screening will be referred for further evaluation with parental agreement.  

Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) screening is composed of nineteen (19) questions divided by ages, designed to be completed by parents or primary caregivers.  In most cases, these questionnaires can identify accurately infant, toddlers and young children who are in need of further evaluation to determine whether they are eligible for early intervention services.  Screenings are administered according to the coalition schedule for those children who have an agreement with Family Central.  The child who does not have an agreement with Family Central follows the schedule of the classroom teacher which collates with their birthday.  Comprehensive Service staff will assist with any referral process.  The Health Care District provides a roving social worker, Family Development Coordinator, to assist in linking children and families to needed community resources.  The teacher may refer the parent to speak to a comprehensive service staff or they may request this of the teacher based on your daily observation of your child.  This is a wonderful service that is provided by our community for free.

Progress Reports – Progress reports are sent out in November, March, and May to inform parents of the student’s academic progress and skill achievements.

Certificates and Awards – Certificates are given weekly and monthly as encouragement to students for good behavior, skill achievements and other accomplishments. Academic awards and certificates of completion will be given at the Academic Award Day held in May.