Our Programs

Preschool

  Three-year-old programs: Gumdrops & Gummi Bears classes

• Class ratio is 1 adult and 8 children per classroom.
• Curriculum is designed to involve movement and music as a means of introducing and exposing the little ones to an introduction of uppercase letter recognition and sounds, numbers, colors, shapes and basic signing.
• Fine motor development involves cutting, coloring and early writing skills.
• Socialization is learning to interact with others, being kind and considerate and learning to be comfortable speaking to others in a small group setting.
• Introduction to simple signing as well as numbers, letters and colors.
• Creative opportunities through art and play.

Gumdrops
— Young threes; turning three during March through August

Teachers: Miss Laura, Miss Nicole and Miss Jana

• Miss Laura: We are grateful that Laura continues to love and nurture our young threes. She has a background in education and we have been blessed with her presence for the past 9 years.
  
  
• Miss Nicole is new to Circle of Friends this year. She spent many hours as a volunteer in the classroom. She has an infectious smile and an abundance of energy.
  
  
• Miss Jana brings a high level of enthusiasm and smiles to the Gumdrop class. Though her studies were focused in the medical field, she brings a lot of experience working with children.
  
  

 
Miss Laura, at Open House

Gummi Bears
— Older threes; turning three in September through February

Teachers: Miss Sandra, Miss LeeAnn and Miss Beth

• Miss Sandra is returning to Circle of Friends and the Gummi Bear class. She has been absent for the past two years.  We are thrilled to have her back and part of our team. Her background in sociology and Christian education brings a wonderful perspective to our program.
  
  
• Miss LeeAnn has taught at Circle of Friends for the past eight years. She has also been a sales representative.
  
  
• Miss Beth has a background in elementary education. This is her eighth year at Circle of Friends. She also teaches our science program.
  

Pre-Kindergarten

  Four-year-old programs: Gumballs & Lollipops classes

• Class ratio is 1 adult and 10 children per classroom.
• Curriculum introduces and exposes the children to uppercase and lowercase letter recognition, sounds, numbers and counting, colors and shapes. Name recognition and writing. By mid-year start to combine letters and sounds to begin forming words. Numbers and counting leading to simple math.
• Fine motor development involves cutting, coloring and early writing and some math skills. D’Nealian penmanship writing lessons.
• Socialization is learning to interact with kindness and consideration of others, follow direction and being comfortable speaking and sharing with others in a small group setting.
• Introduction to simple signing as well as numbers, letters and colors.
• Creativity through both art and free play.
• Computer time.
• Wednesday science program.
• Field Trips.

Gumballs
— Young Fours turning four during May through August

Teachers: Miss Audri, Miss Laura and Miss Debbie

• Miss Audri joined our team this year. Her engineering background brings a new level ofcreativity and organization to our staff. She enjoys researching new ideas and loves sharing her knowledge in American Sign Language with her little friends.
   
• Miss Laura has a background in health and nutrition along with great experience working with children. She brings a high level of enthusiasm and creativity to the class. She is teaching the morning sessions.
   
• Miss Debbie is soft-spoken and gentle. Her prior classroom involvement has truly prepared her for this adventure. She is eager to provide each child with a truly positive and fruitful early childhood experience. She is teaching the 3-day afternoon program.
  
  

Lollipops
— Middle to older fours; turning four during January through April

Teachers: Miss Michell and Miss Monica

• Miss Michell has been teaching at Circle of Friends for 16 years. In addition, she has a background in legal support.
  
  
• Miss Monica with a background as a Christian educator, Monica brings a lot of experience to the classroom. She has worked in all aspects of children’s Christian education. She has a very soft spoken demeanor and a wonderful laugh.

  Older four- and five-year-old program: Jellybeans class

• Class ratio is 1 adult and 12 children per classroom.
• Curriculum intro and review of uppercase and lowercase letter recognition, sounds, numbers and counting. Name recognition and writing. By mid-year start to combine letters and sounds to begin forming words. Word recognition through sight and sound. Writing short words and sentences. Numbers, counting and simple math.
• Fine motor development involves cutting, coloring, early writing.  D’Nealian penmanship writing lessons.
• Socialization is learning to interact with kindness and consideration of others, follow direction and be comfortable speaking and sharing with others a small group setting.
• Introduction to simple signing as well as numbers, letters and colors.
• Creativity through both art and free play.
• Computer time.
• Wednesday science program.
• Study of countries around the world.
• Field trip.

Jellybeans
— Older fours and five-year olds, turning five by December 31st

Teacher: Miss Miki

• Miss Miki has been teaching at Circle of Friends for the past seven years. Her background includes working with special needs children.

Staff Members

Debbie Johnson, Office Assistant

• Miss Debbie has a background in elementary education. She has been at Circle of Friends Preschool for 15 years.

Sharon Wallenborn, Director

• Miss Sharon has a background in early childhood education. For the last 17 years, she has been director at Circle of Friends Preschool.

Phone: (360) 696-9926
e-Mail: director@cof-preschool.org