Prekindergarten education, often referred to as "pre-K" or “prek”, is an early childhood education daycare program for children typically the year before they enter kindergarten. The primary goal of prekindergarten is to prepare children for the academic and social demands of formal schooling.

Key Aspects of Prekindergarten Education:

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Curriculum:

Prekindergarten daycare programs focus on a range of developmental areas, including cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development. The curriculum often includes activities that promote literacy, numeracy, language development, and problem-solving skills. It also emphasizes social skills, such as cooperation, sharing, and following directions.

Pine Hills Learning Place utilizes two curriculum approaches in pre-k. The first is The Creative Curriculum, a comprehensive, research-based early childhood education framework designed to support the development and learning of young children from infancy through preschool. Developed by Teaching Strategies, LLC, it is widely used in early childhood education programs across the United States, including prekindergarten, Head Start, and child care centers. The second is OWL (Opening the World of Learning), a comprehensive Pre-K curriculum, equitable in English and Spanish, that prepares children for kindergarten with ongoing assessment of research-based success predictors and playful, purposeful, and personalized instruction.

The key features of both approaches include: 

• Research-Based Approach: Grounded in research on child development, early childhood education, and learning theory, they align with state early learning standards and national best practices, making them well-regarded frameworks in the field of early childhood education.

• Whole-Child Focus: The curriculums emphasize the development of the whole child, addressing cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and language development. They encourage educators to consider the unique needs, interests, and abilities of each child.

• Learning Environment: The curriculums place a strong emphasis on the importance of the physical environment at daycare in supporting children's learning. They guide educators in setting up well-organized, engaging, and responsive learning spaces that encourage exploration and independence.

• Thematic Units: Both are organized around thematic units or studies that explore topics of interest to young children. These studies are designed to be flexible and can be adapted to the specific needs and interests of the children in the classroom. Each study integrates various learning domains, such as literacy, math, science, and social studies.

• Professional Development: Teaching Strategies offers professional development opportunities for daycare educators using the Creative Curriculum. These resources help teachers effectively implement the curriculum and continually improve their teaching practices. Pine Hills Learning Place offers annual professional development with a focus on child development including curriculum each fall.

• Flexibility and Adaptation: While both curriculums provide a structured framework, they are designed to be flexible, allowing educators to adapt the content to the specific context of their classroom and the individual needs of their students.

The Creative Curriculum is widely respected for its comprehensive approach to early childhood education. It has been shown to support positive outcomes in children's development and learning, particularly when implemented with fidelity. By focusing on the whole child and emphasizing the importance of play, the Creative Curriculum helps prepare children for success in school and beyond. Overall, the Opening the World of Learning OWL curriculum provides a well-rounded, developmentally appropriate framework that prepares young children for success in school and beyond. Its focus on literacy, integrated learning, and play-based activities, combined with its emphasis on assessment and family engagement, makes it a valuable resource for early childhood educators.

 

Assessment:

Assessment in prekindergarten daycare involves observing and evaluating young children's development and learning to understand their progress and identify their individual needs. It typically includes a combination of formal and informal methods, such as observing children during play, collecting work samples, and using standardized tools. These assessments help educators tailor instruction to support each child's growth in areas like language, cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development. The goal is to guide teaching practices, involve families in their child's learning, and ensure children are on track for success in kindergarten.

Pine Hills Learning Place, in partnership with Paths to QUALITY, developed a comprehensive, observation-based assessment system designed for children from birth through kindergarten. Here's an overview of the assessment:

• Developmental Domains:

  • The assessment covers nine key developmental and learning areas: social-emotional, physical, language, cognitive, literacy, mathematics, science and technology, social studies, and the arts.

• Observation-Based:

  • The assessment relies on ongoing observations of children during regular daycare activities. Teachers collect evidence of children's skills and behaviors through notes, photos, work samples, and videos.

  • This approach allows for a natural and holistic understanding of each child's abilities, as it is integrated into daily routines and activities.

• Progress Monitoring:

  • Educators track individual children's progress over time, identifying strengths, areas for growth, and developmental milestones.

  • The assessment is designed to be used in an ongoing manner throughout the year, allowing teachers to monitor and document progress and adjust instruction as needed.

• Developmental Continua:

  • The assessment system uses developmental continua for each domain, outlining expectations for children's abilities at various stages from birth through kindergarten.

  • These continua help teachers understand where a child is developmentally and what the next steps in learning might be.

• Individualization:

  • The assessment provides data that helps teachers tailor their instruction to meet the unique needs of each child.

  • By understanding where each child is developmentally, educators can plan activities and interventions that support growth in specific areas.

• Alignment with Standards:

  • The assessment aligns with and incorporates Indiana’s state early learning standards and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, ensuring that it supports broader educational goals and prepares children for kindergarten.

• Inclusive of All Learners:

  • Designed to be inclusive of children with diverse backgrounds and abilities, including those with special needs and dual-language learners.

  • The assessment provides strategies for observing and supporting children in a way that respects their individual learning styles and cultural contexts.

Assessment is vital for its ability to provide meaningful, actionable insights into children's development. By focusing on observation and naturalistic assessment, it supports a child-centered approach to early education, helping educators create learning environments that foster each child's growth and readiness for school.

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Play-Based Learning:

Many pre-K programs use play-based learning approaches. This method recognizes that young children learn best through play, which helps them develop creativity, imagination, and social skills. Structured play activities are often designed to teach specific concepts or skills.

In an article titled “Myth: Children Learn by Sitting”, author Rae Pica explores the research on how young children learn. Rae had this to say about the truth: “The truth here is two-pronged: the research proves that physical activity improves brain functioning, and young children are not yet abstract thinkers, which means they require active, experiential learning.” Read the full article here.

 

Socialization and Emotional Development:

Prekindergarten is crucial for helping children develop social skills. Through interaction with peers and adults, children learn to communicate, share, take turns, and resolve conflicts. This socialization is essential for their overall development and readiness for school. Pre-K daycare programs support emotional development by helping children understand and manage their emotions. Teachers provide guidance in recognizing feelings, expressing them appropriately, and developing empathy for others.

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The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted young children's social development due to prolonged isolation, disruptions in routine, and altered social interactions. With lockdowns and daycare closures, many children experienced reduced opportunities for face-to-face interaction with peers, which hindered the development of important social skills like sharing and conflict resolution. The cancellation of group activities and reliance on digital platforms for interaction further limited their ability to engage in cooperative play and develop friendships. Increased screen time, particularly passive consumption, may have delayed language development and communication skills, as children missed out on the nuanced social cues learned through in-person interactions.

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Emotionally, many children experienced heightened levels of anxiety and stress, influenced by the uncertainty of the pandemic and the stress within their families. This led to behavioral regressions, such as increased clinginess or difficulties with separation at daycare drop-offs, as children responded to the disruptions in their environment. Social-emotional skills like empathy and self-regulation, typically developed through interactions with peers, were delayed for some children, making reentry into group environments challenging as social restrictions eased. While some families benefited from increased time together, strengthening bonds and supporting development, others faced heightened stress that negatively impacted children's social-emotional well-being.

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The long-term effects of these disruptions vary, with some children quickly adapting as they return to normal social environments, such as prek, while others may require ongoing support to overcome lingering social and emotional challenges. Addressing these impacts involves re-establishing social connections, supporting emotional well-being, and providing opportunities for rich, face-to-face interactions as children continue to adapt in a post-pandemic world.

 

Family Involvement:

Family engagement is a critical component of prek education. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to be involved in their child's learning, which can include activities at home, attending school events, and communicating regularly with teachers.

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Accessibility and Funding:

Pine Hills Learning Place participates in On My Way Pre-K (OMW), which is an early childhood education program in Indiana that provides funding for preschool education to 4-year-old children from low-income families. Launched in 2014, the program aims to prepare children for success in kindergarten and beyond by offering access to high-quality pre-k education. To be eligible, families must meet income requirements, typically at or below 150% of the federal poverty level, and the child must be 4 years old by August 1 of the school year they wish to enroll, with plans to start kindergarten the following year. Pine Hills Learning Place also participates in the limited eligibility version of OMW, which has a higher income threshold. Additionally, the family must be engaged in work, school, or job training.

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Families participating in On My Way Pre-K can choose from a range of approved early learning providers, including public and private schools, licensed child care centers, registered ministries, and family child care homes. All participating providers are required to meet high standards, such as being rated at Level 3 or Level 4 on Indiana’s Paths to QUALITY system, which ensures a safe, nurturing, and educationally rich environment for children. The program places a strong emphasis on quality early childhood education, focusing on developing essential social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills that are critical for success in school.

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Parents choose Pine Hills Learning Place for their child’s OMW year if they need full time daycare and want to take advantage of the convenience, trust, and quality that PHLP represents. PHLP is open 6:00 am – 6:00 pm Monday through Friday, including during public school winter and spring breaks (closed for 7 major federal holidays). The funded OMW time is integrated with the normal classroom schedule at PHLP, so parents don’t have to worry about transportation to and from public preschools. Pine Hills Learning Place has a stellar reputation for high quality education parents can trust for over 48 years, including being Level 3 on Indiana’s Paths to QUALITY.

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On My Way Pre-K also encourages active family involvement in children’s education, offering resources and support to help parents and caregivers engage in learning both at school and at home. The program is funded through a combination of state funds and federal grants and is administered by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), which works with local partners to manage enrollment, provide family support, and maintain quality standards across all providers.

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Research has shown that On My Way Pre-K has a positive impact on participating children, who are more likely to enter kindergarten with strong literacy, math, and social skills, and perform better in school compared to those who did not attend pre-K. Since its inception, the program has expanded from a few pilot counties to being available statewide, with the goal of increasing access to high-quality preschool education for all eligible children in Indiana. On My Way Pre-K represents a significant investment in early childhood education in the state, providing crucial support to families and helping to ensure that children are well-prepared for future academic success.

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Impact on Long-Term Outcomes:

Research has shown that high-quality pre-k education can have long-lasting positive effects on children's academic performance, social skills, and behavior. It can also help reduce achievement gaps between children from different socioeconomic backgrounds.

 

Prekindergarten education is seen as a critical stage in a child's development, laying the foundation for future academic success and well-being.

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Contact Pine Hills Learning Place today to get started on your child’s best pre-k year possible.