Programs
Curriculum & Kindergarten Readiness
Children learn best by doing, by making choices, and through play. As we like to say, “children’s play is their work.”
HighScope: active, participatory learning
The official curriculum of Saint Andrew’s Children’s Center is HighScope. Its key element is active participatory learning: children and adults learn best through hands-on experiences with people, materials, events and ideas, a principle validated by decades of research.
HighScope emphasizes child-initiated over teacher-directed choices, decision-making, adult–child interaction, a carefully designed learning environment, and a plan-do-review process that strengthens children’s initiative and self-reliance. Teachers and students become active partners in shaping the learning experience.
Fun and challenging STEAM activities (science, technology, engineering, art and math) are part of every week.
Zoo-phonics®: strong readers and spellers
Our preschool teachers use the Zoo-phonics® method, popular across the United States and the world and used in many area elementary schools. Animals drawn in the shapes of letters make them easy to remember, and a body movement for each letter cements sounds to shapes. Lowercase letters and their sounds come first; capital letters and letter names follow.
Zoo-phonics® is also a springboard for math, art, music, cooking and nutrition, social studies, science, physical education and drama.
Baby Signs®
Saint Andrew’s is a certified Baby Signs® Program center, and all of our staff are trained in it. Baby Signs is used daily with infants and toddlers and in our preschool program. Giving little ones a way to communicate before they can talk helps reduce frustration and tantrums, makes learning to talk easier, and strengthens the bond between parent and child.
Kindergarten readiness
Our School Readiness Team works with children who are one and two years away from kindergarten entry, fostering social-emotional, cognitive and physical development and the natural joy of learning found in all children.
Following each child’s progress
- The Desired Results Developmental Profile, shared with parents twice a year
- Ages and Stages developmental screenings
- Parent–teacher conferences twice a year
- Additional developmental screenings available on request
Read about our teachers’ training on Our Team.
Come see us
The best way to get to know Saint Andrew’s is to visit. Book a personal tour of our campus, or call us at (949) 651-0198.