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Preschool Program: Primary Morning & Afternoons

2.5 - 6 Years

This preschool program located in Pleasant Hill, CA offers part-time and full-time options. Part-time from any three days per week all the way up to full-time. Class time is from 9:00am-12:00pm and/or 1:00pm-4:00pm but care is available from 7am-6pm.

These classes are held from 9 AM to noon and 1 PM to 4 PM. The Primary class offers children a multi-age community in which to explore the Montessori prepared environment. This multi-age grouping (ages 3-6 years) is successful because the older child learns by being the leader in the classroom, and the younger child learns by observing the older child. This environment is intended to serve the child for three years.

The overall goals of this classroom are order, concentration, coordination, and independence. The children enjoy self-directed activities and experiences in the different areas of the classroom. Each area of the classroom — practical life, sensorial, language, math, cultural subjects (sciences), and art/music — is designed to invite the child to choose focused, purposeful work.

The children come together daily at circle for songs, poems, stories, demonstrations of work, games, and opportunities for expressive language and social development. The Preschool/Prekindergarten class supports the child’s sense of wonder and blossoming personhood.

Call our Pleasant Hill campus directly at (925) 967-2655 to learn more!

Program Schedule for Preschool

  • 7:00 AM - Classtime

    Optional Before Care

  • 08:50 - 09:10 AM

    Drop-off and welcoming of the children

  • 09:10 - 10:45 AM

    Circle / Work time

  • 10:45 - 11:15 AM

    Playground activities

  • 11:15 - 11:45 AM

    Work time

  • 11:45 - 12:00 PM

    Calendar / story

  • 12:00 - 1:00 PM

    Lunch

  • 1:00 - 4:00 PM

    Optional Afternoon Class Time - English, Mandarin & Spanish Immersion

  • 4:00 - 6:00 PM

    Optional Childcare

Primary Program Goals

Communication Development

Supporting your child's verbal, non-verbal, and listening skills for connecting with family, friends, and beyond.

  • Asking and responding to questions
  • Learning the names of teachers and friends
  • Telling simple stories
  • Identifying actions in books
  • Speaking to the class during circle
  • Following directions of two or three steps
  • Using words to ask for help
  • Practicing problem solving with friends

Growing Brain Power

Providing an enriched environment and the personal relationships to make the most of your child's amazing brainpower.

  • Practicing daily-living skills for grace and courtesy, care of self, and care of the environment
  • Exploring and building sensory skills and concepts with specialized Montessori materials
  • Completing works with step-by-step processes
  • Choosing independent, sequenced reading, writing, and number activities with teacher guidance

Building Relationships

Helping your child develop trust, self-confidence, and problem solving skills for positive relationships with friends, parents, and teachers.

  • Practicing thoughtfulness, respect, and courtesy with teachers and friends
  • Working individually, in small and large groups
  • Learning to take turns with popular activities
  • Gaining confidence by completing chosen work
  • Exploring similarities and differences among people

Helping Healthy Bodies Flourish

Nurturing your child's physical well-being through active play and body awareness.

  • Gaining control by walking around others’ work, and others’ bodies
  • Practicing good hygiene: hand washing, nose blowing, coughing into the crook of the elbow
  • Trying a wide variety of healthy foods
  • Improving large motor skills through action songs, games, walking, running, and climbing

Creativity and Individual Expression

Promoting an atmosphere that inspires your child's unique character through art, movement, music, and dramatic play.

  • Singing quiet, loud, silly, and pretty songs to explore musical variety
  • Imagining the world around them by studying other lands and cultures
  • Showing the beginning of abstract thought through representational drawing
  • Emphasizing process over product in artwork

Is Montessori right for my child?

Observe a class and see if Fountainhead is the best placement for your family. By observing a class, you will get a feel for the environment and curriculum. Feel free to observe multiple classrooms to make sure you have the best fit possible for your child.

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