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5-Year-Old Kindergarten Readiness Class has Openings
UCP is offering a unique class to address the needs of 5-year-olds in our community, and openings are still available for the ’08-’09 school year.
Last year’s local kindergarten screenings indicated that 53% of St. Joseph’s kindergarten-age children are not ready for kindergarten. UCP’s 5-year-old Kindergarten Readiness class is an excellent opportunity for those children.
The 5-year-old class is also a great option for children whose parents seek something more than 4-year-old preschool for their children whose birthdays fall short of the school district’s kindergarten-age cut-off date. Children who turn 5 late in 2008 might be better served in UCP’s Kindergarten Readiness class for 5-year-olds than in a typical 4-year-old preschool class.
Typical preschool classes are for 3 and 4-year-olds. “Our Kindergarten Readiness class is more than just a preschool class,” said Heather Weddle, Director of UCP Children’s programs. The 5-year-olds will be in a unique learning environment to help them advance to a level needed to begin kindergarten successfully. “The 5-year-olds will be with other 5-year-olds, something more appealing to the kids than being grouped with younger children,” said Weddle. While the class appeals to the children, it also appeals to parents who want their children to be especially focused on kindergarten readiness skills in fresh ways rather than repeating the same lessons and activities they already went through in 3 or 4-year-old preschool.
On a first-come/first-served availability, parents may enroll a child for four days per week at $150 per month. Registration includes a one-time $40 fee. UCP Preschool is in session Monday through Thursday.
UCP’s 5-year-old Kindergarten Readiness class is one part of UCP Preschool’s fall ’08 program expansion. UCP Preschool, traditionally a preschool for children with disabilities, is now an integrated preschool where children of all abilities learn and play together. An early learning class is also available for 2-year-olds in addition to preschool for 3 and 4-year-olds.
“Our staff members have always been experts in child development, and they will continue to be,” said Teresa Gagliano, UCP Executive Director. UCP Preschool teachers and assistants are trained to teach preschool curriculum approved by the state of Missouri and are experienced to help individual children reach developmental milestones, something important to every child, whether the child has a delay or is developing normally. Trained therapists are also on site for children who qualify for speech, physical, or occupational therapies.
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