Mommy & Me

"Toddler hood" is a time of learning through new experiences, and also a quest for independence in a world where very few choices/ decisions are in their control. In our Mommy and Me Transition Program, parents and toddlers will be encouraged to take part in interactive activities which will include stories and finger plays, music and movement, curiosity and exploration through manipulatives, dramatic play and art. This class is designed to help guide and encourage the toddler to make a happy and secure transition from a Mommy and Me class to a traditional Pre school experience. Each day's activities are designed to foster language acquisition, cognitive development motor skills (fine and gross), visual perception, socialization, confidence and independence.

Three Year Old Program

Our first year program addresses the social and emotional needs of the three year old. We provide a safe, stimulating and playful environment where children develop the behavioral and language skills to successfully interact with their classmates and teachers and the self esteem to confidently explore their world. The curriculum is focused on the development of readiness skills with a concentration on early language and literacy development as well as mathematical concepts of numbers, counting and shapes. Art and music are often utilized to develop gross and fine motor skills as well as academic concepts. Our teacher to student ratio is approximately 1:6 assuring loving, nurturing, individualized care and supervision. We require that children entering our program are potty trained. We offer a half and mini-day programs.

Pre-Kindergarten Program (4 Year Old)

Our pre kindergarten program builds upon the social, emotional, motor, and academic skills acquired in our three-year-old program. The classroom continues to be structured to provide a safe, stimulating, and nurturing environment where children participate in developmentally appropriate direct instruction in the readiness areas of math and reading. Various and inviting learning centers are created for a twofold purpose: for students to independently explore during self-selected time and for teachers to facilitate students' acquisition of concepts, ideas, and problem solving skills in these well-defined and developed areas. The four year old is beginning to understand the symbolic representation of letters and numbers; letters have associated sounds and numerals are related to number concepts. This is very exciting time for children as their brains continue to grow exponentially. Hence, the curriculum is organized around the introduction of weekly letters and broad integrated themes. Our teacher to student ratio is approximately 1:7 assuring that your child will be given the individual attention to move him/her along the developmental continuum with great expertise and love. Full day and mini day are offered.

Full Day Kindergarten

Our exceptional kindergarten program provides a stimulating curriculum which well prepares our students for first grade. It respects this stage of childhood where children continue to eagerly explore as they come to the realization that the understanding of their world is integrally connected to the ability to read. Teachers support children's reading skills through well selected literature, delving deeper into comprehension and decoding. Children build on the math skills acquired in preschool and use manipulatives to understand number, time, measurement, and geometric concepts as well as graphing and patterning. Problem solving, which helps to develop critical reasoning skills, is emphasized. Science appeals to children's natural curiosity about their world. The scientific method is introduced so students are exposed to the process of hypothesizing and careful observation. Children have opportunities to explore broad, high-interest themes such as the ocean and the rainforest. Social studies, which expands students' knowledge of the world, is presented through making and understanding maps and learning about other cultures and countries. Nonfiction is integrated into the curriculum in these areas. Learning words and simple phrases in Spanish throughout the year also helps to broaden students' horizons. Students continue to explore the arts (music, movement, art and dramatic play) to assimilate learning in other content areas or to simply enrich their lives and experiences. Teachers create a supportive environment where children are encouraged to become resourceful, independent learners which in turn help to develop confidence and self-esteem. In the kindergarten classroom, children are free to explore, question and wonder - the roots of an exceptional educational program. Our teacher to student ratio is 1:8 assuring that our teachers will provide individualized attention to your child and differentiated instruction when appropriate and necessary. Children graduate from our program with a love of learning and school and the confidence and mastery of readiness skills to be highly successful in first grade.

Kindergarten - Enrichment Program

Our kindergarten enrichment program is designed to supplement the half day kindergarten programs offered in the public schools. Our teachers focus on math and reading readiness and delivering stimulating hands-on instruction. Teachers assess students early in the school year and plan an instructional program that addresses each child's academic needs. In addition to large group instruction, teachers work with students in small groups and individually to move them along in the readiness areas. Students are given time during their two and one half hour session to explore the learning centers in the classroom to further develop their interests and independence. Kindergarten enrichment is offered in the morning or afternoon on Tuesday and Thursday. Our teacher to student ratio is 1:8 assuring that our teachers can address the needs of each child in our program.

After School Fun Clubs

Fun clubs, for the 4-6 year old, productively extends the school day. A different content area is offered every day: music, science, literature, math and art. We plan to continue to develop these clubs based on the interests of our students. In the future, we hope to be able to offer Spanish and chess clubs as well. Our experienced, talented Turtle Creek teachers create the curriculum and provide the instruction for this hands-on, fun extension of the school day. Our after care students participate in these clubs which are held from 3:15-4:15 every day. The clubs are available to students enrolled in Turtle Creek as well as students in the community. The group size is kept small in order to provide quality instruction. Children may participate in as many clubs that interest them. Call for a complete schedule of the different club offerings.

Before And After Care
	We provide before and after care for our students. Parents can drop off their children at 8:30 am and pick them up by 5:00 pm. Our Turtle Creek teachers supervise the children during these hours. All of our after care children participate in the Fun Clubs. The cost is an additional $10.00 per hour.

Summer Camp - Camp Turtle Creek

Our summer camp program is specifically designed for the 3-6 year old. We have created high-interest, fun-filled weekly themes (i.e. “Life in the Big Top”, “Bugs, Bugs and More Bugs!”, “It's a Small World After All”) which children eagerly explore through quality literature, math manipulatives, art, music, and dramatic play. The playground and the beautiful shaded nature trail behind the school are used for outdoor play and exploration. Our summer camp is particularly appropriate for parents who want a safe, small group, highly supervised program taught by certified teachers who can continue to provide instruction in ways that delight and engage our children. The camp also provides an easy transition for our three-year-olds who will be starting our first year program in the fall. Most importantly, your children will have a lot of fun with the hands on activities by our energetic teachers. There is nothing better than learning and having fun! Camp Turtle Creek runs for six weeks. Parents can select from one to six weeks depending on your child's interest and your summer schedule. We offer full day, mini day and half day programs in our air conditioned school. Call for our up-to- date summer schedule or visit the Camp section of our website.