Pre-Kindergarten

Developmentally, the students in our Pre-Kindergarten are typically adept at engaging in more complex social, learning and play experiences.

The Upper Saddle River Children’s Academy “big kids” begin the year with a unit of study, “All About Me,” exploring how they are each similar and different from their peers. As the month progresses, the Pre-K students expand their studies outward to the “outdoor classroom” beyond our school building. A local horticulturalist comes to visit and talks about the lifecycle of spring-flowering bulbs.  Each of the classes help with the planting of the bulbs in our outdoor classroom garden.  Our Pre-K class also experience exciting field trips around Bergen County including a trip to the James A. McFaul Environmental Center, the Planetarium at Northern Highlands Regional High School and Abma’s Farm.

The students always enjoy each of the thematic units.  Each of these units connects creative arts, science, dramatic play, literacy and math-based activities. Full understanding comes when our students can see and experience it firsthand. Raising butterflies and chick hatching in the classroom is a great way to help preschoolers see a life cycle in action.

The Pre-Kindergarten program uses the Learning Without  Tears program, which develops fine-motor skills and fosters Kindergarten readiness.

Pre-K students are highly social and excited to try new things and share their knowledge with their friends and grown-ups. With this in mind, our students participate in an intergenerational project called "Our New Friends".  Seniors from a local Senior Living facility join us for a variety of activities to create memories and positive experiences that influence the students far beyond the classroom.