You’ve finally decided to enroll your child in a preschool program. You help them settle in after drop-off, and then head off to work. Throughout the day, you think, “I wonder what my child is doing right now.”
While preschool programs are sometimes structured differently, they all share a singular goal: to help each child learn foundational skills in a specialized way, setting them up for future success.
Preschool is a place for kids to gain invaluable learning experiences, including building strong academic foundations through play-based learning, socializing with peers, and getting used to a set routine.
After 45 years of helping families in the San Gabriel Valley and serving 11,000 children a year, Options for Learning knows the importance of affordable programs that balance play and learning in ways that are unique to each child.
So, what does a preschool day actually look like? From play-based learning and friendships to kindergarten readiness and growing independence, here’s what your child can expect to experience in preschool.
After drop-off
Learning begins the moment you and your child enter the classroom.
Drop-off can often be an emotional experience for caregivers and children. Preschool teachers know this well! They provide enough space and time for everyone to say their goodbyes.
It’s important to give your little one time to settle into the classroom and regulate their emotions before starting their day. Some children may wave goodbye at the window, look through a favorite book, or spend a few minutes exploring a learning area before they feel ready to join the group’s activities.
After some time to calm down, children will often wash their hands and get to work in the different learning areas.
Certain preschool programs — including those at Options for Learning — also provide breakfast, so families don’t have to worry about their child going without it in the morning.
Next, teachers will go over a visual schedule with children so they know what to expect for the day and whether there are any changes.
In her preschool classroom at Options for Learning, teacher Monica Velasquez explained that the teachers “always give reminders” and try to “keep everything consistent.”
“We do our meals, we do our outside time, our small-group and teacher-led activities,” Monica said. “All the teachers are on the same page. We have our lesson plan. Everything’s up and ready to go.”
Monica noted that she always likes to keep parents in the loop, too, so they are aware of their child’s schedule during a typical day.
Learning through play
Children in preschool usually participate in a play-based learning curriculum.
Play-based learning is a child-driven approach to learning that involves exploration, discovery, and problem-solving through play, according to the Child Care Resource Center.
But how do children actually benefit from play-based learning?
Monica shared that your child learns through play by “investigating materials, working with things, imitating, using language,” and more.
“There’s no right or wrong. You’re not going to fail at it,” she explained.
For example, during the summer at Options for Learning, preschoolers are learning about the ocean and water. They have water tables, cups, and other materials for filling with water and pouring.
“I was watching one of our early 3-year-olds the other day, and in the water table, she just kept filling, filling,” Monica recalled. “It was something with the net. She kept looking at it because the water kept coming through it. And I said, ‘Well, what do you think is happening? The water doesn’t stay. What can we do differently?’ She found another cup and started figuring it out. It’s trial and error.”
Hands-on activities like these encourage curiosity, problem-solving, critical thinking, and early science skills as children make observations, ask questions, and test their ideas about how the world works.
Since children at such a young age often have specific interests, teachers also try to incorporate them into play-based learning as well.
For example, if a child likes cars, a teacher could have them pretend to be a car dealer and hand over 10 toy cars for sale.
Preschool teachers really want to do things that require imagination and play in a way that doesn’t feel like learning to a child.
According to a LEGO Foundation survey, eight in 10 administrators believed that a learning-through-play approach supports better student outcomes. Meanwhile, 80% of global teachers say that learning through play supports improved collaboration, problem-solving skills, self-motivation, and knowledge retention.
Ultimately, play-based learning is a great way for children to explore and learn more about the world around them!
Making friends
One major benefit of sending your child to a preschool program is the opportunity to interact with children their own age.
Children often bond immediately with other kids in the class in a very natural way.
Even if some children are a little shy at first, as the year goes on, they begin to progress and socialize, especially through the various group activities in preschool.
Preschool programs often include projects that require partnership, so even if a child is more shy, they will still partner up and work together with another student.
Getting ready for kindergarten
Many preschool programs focus on helping children develop the skills they need to thrive in kindergarten.
Teachers want children to be independent and to continue growing in their emotional, social, and physical development.
Preschool is where children build important foundations through play, including sharing, navigating social conflict, problem-solving, and developing independence.
Preschool teachers prioritize building these core skills so that when the kids get to kindergarten, they’re not new to them, since they’ve already been exposed to them.
One main issue preschool teachers focus on regarding kindergarten readiness is teaching children the concept of conscious discipline. (Conscious discipline is an evidence-based approach to classroom management that focuses on adult self-regulation and teaching children critical social-emotional skills, per BrightWheel.)
Conscious discipline teaches children how to learn about their own body and triggers and use that to calm themselves down.
Many preschool programs, including Options for Learning, provide calming areas and toys to support their emotional self-regulation.
While children are learning a ton of skills in preschool, they also don’t need to have everything down before they get to kindergarten.
“When they get to kindergarten, they’re going to learn more,” Monica explained. “We encourage the parents to find out what’s going to happen in kindergarten to find out what’s to be expected.”
Even though kindergarten will be a little different, your child will have more confidence going into the following year, drawing on all their preschool knowledge.
Making your child feel safe and confident
One important aspect of a quality preschool program is making your child feel safe and secure in this new environment.
We know that it can be overwhelming to be somewhere that isn’t their home, which is why the teachers create a welcoming and warm place at school.
Teachers want to get to know every child by observing what interests them and building a really positive relationship.
To build safety and trust, teachers try to do several things, including:
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Being in close proximity when they are taking a nap
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Being responsive to their needs
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Being silly with them through stories and play
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Reviewing expectations in a way that children can understand (books, songs, picture cards, etc.)
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Assigning small jobs and tasks (setting the table, putting things away, feeding the fish, etc.)
Once your child starts feeling safe, they can build more confidence and themselves.
“We make it a point to acknowledge that they are able to do it,” Monica added.
What’s your next step?
By now, you can see that preschool is about much more than learning letters and numbers. It’s a place where children build friendships, develop confidence, learn through play, and practice the skills they’ll use throughout their educational journey.
As you explore different preschool options, consider how each program supports children’s social-emotional development, encourages learning through play, and helps children prepare for kindergarten in a nurturing environment.
If you are looking for an affordable preschool in the San Gabriel Valley where your child can learn and grow before kindergarten, Options for Learning could be the right fit for you and your family.
For children ages 3 to 5, Options for Learning’s preschool programs are designed to set your children up for success in kindergarten.
Options for Learning’s preschool program include:
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Proven curriculum with credentialed teachers
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A nurturing play-based approach to make learning fun
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Guidance and referrals for health, vision, hearing, and developmental screenings
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Dental and mental health support connections
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Nutrition education and daily healthy meals and snacks
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Parent education workshops and family engagement events
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Dedicated family advocates to connect your family with resources
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Opportunities for parent involvement, leadership, and advocacy
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Support for families whose children have special needs and can benefit from support in the classroom
To get started with the application process, we encourage families to complete a brief form, and one of our education advisors will be in touch within 72 hours.
If you have any more questions about Options for Learning’s preschool program, feel free to reach out at 626-699-8070. We want to help your child in the best way we can!
