Curriculum Overview
The curriculum at RCNS varies for each age level and provides children with skills imperative for kindergarten as well as an appreciation for themselves, their peers and the world around them.
RCNS follows The Creative Curriculum, which develops skills in the following categories:
- Language Development
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Physical Development
- Social and Emotional Development
- Science and Technology
- Social Studies
- The Arts
The Creative Curriculum is an excellent, research-supported play-based learning program. “Play based” programs are explicitly child-centered and directed towards ensuring children learn skills that are critical for long-term academic success. Our teachers at RCNS believe that play is the primary modality of effective learning in these early childhood years. Extensive academic research supports the real-world experience of our teachers.
The children in the child-centered, play-based [preschool] programs did best academically at the end of kindergarten, but most importantly,continued to grow and make academic gains over the next 4 years….
A play-based program complements the child’s brain development and provides the basis for academic success. … “[L]earn through play” preschool is absolutely the best “academic” preschool your child can attend.
“Play Based Vs. Academic Preschools: What the Research Says” By Kathryn Ems, M.S. Full text of the article (PDF) for those interested in the details of these studies.
Activities
Our programs are designed to maintain a balance between freedom and guidance, group and individual activities, and active and quiet play.
Children spend their school day engaged in periods of free play, and large and small group activities. Activities include:
| Time | Activities |
|---|---|
| 9:30 | Arrival/Tabletop activities |
| 9:50 | Morning Meeting/Storytime |
| 10:05 | Large Group Activity |
| 10:30 | Independent Reading Time |
| 10:40 | Outdoor Play |
| 11:20 | Snack Time |
| 11:35 | Centers |
| 12:15 | Clean-up |
| 12:20 | Closing Circle |
| 12:30 | Dismissal |
Potty Training
Children grow and develop each at their own pace. Potty training is NOT a requirement for enrollment at any age, thus alleviating additional pressure on both children and parents.
