Welcome To The Kindergarten Classroom!

Meet our Teachers, view our space and find your child’s daily schedule

Meet Our Kindergarten Team!

Miss Erica

Lead Teacher • Kindergarten

Year Joined: 2004

Favorite Book 📘: The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Favorite Quote: “Children cannot bounce off the walls if we take away the walls” – Erin Kenny

Miss Jocelyn

Co-Teacher • Kindergarten

Year Joined: 2020

Favorite Book 📘: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak

Favorite Quote: “You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” — Christopher Robin

The Children First Kindergarten program is a nature-based program that focuses heavily on social-emotional learning

and development. We value the benefits of unstructured play, outdoor learning, play-based learning, and

sensory exploration. Children are encouraged to explore, discover, and learn at their own pace, allowing for

individualized learning experiences that cater to each child’s unique interests and abilities.

Kindergarten students are 5 years old by September 1st.

Kids are born explorers,
We foster growth by letting them continue to do so.

Our kindergarten program creates a close-knit community of children, parents, and educators. Children learn to collaborate, share, and communicate effectively. We strive to foster a strong bond between children and the natural world. They learn about ecology, conservation, and sustainability, gaining an appreciation for the environment and becoming future stewards of the planet. Our goal is to provide children with an educational journey that nurtures a lifelong love for learning and a deep connection to the world around us.

2-5

Outdoor Hours Each Day

8:1

Our Target Student To Teacher Ratio

5 years old by 9/1

Age Group of CF Kindergarten

The CF Kindergarten Curriculum

Learning With Your Hands In The Dirt

Our Philosophy
At Children First, we believe that children thrive when given the opportunity to explore, create, and learn in a dynamic outdoor setting. Inspired by Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, we recognize that every child learns in unique ways. Our approach integrates hands-on experiences, structured learning, and unstructured play to foster intellectual, social, emotional, and physical growth. Furthermore, we believe in the importance of fostering emotional intelligence. By supporting self-regulation, empathy, and effective communication, we help children develop strong interpersonal skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Our goal is to nurture resilient, confident learners who approach challenges with curiosity and perseverance.

Our Values:

Respect for Nature & Each Other: Encouraging curiosity, stewardship, and kindness.
Whole-Child Development: Nurturing cognitive, social-emotional, and physical skills.
Inquiry-Based Learning: Inspiring a love for discovery through hands-on exploration.
Community & Collaboration: Building relationships through teamwork and shared experiences.

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The Benefits of Outdoor Learning

Time in nature is proven to enhance focus, creativity, problem-solving skills, and overall well-being. Our curriculum embraces outdoor learning not just for exploration but also for structured academic activities like reading, writing, and math. By integrating these elements into our natural environment, we create a rich, dynamic educational experience. Studies show that children who engage in outdoor learning:

Develop stronger critical thinking and problem-solving skills
Exhibit greater resilience and confidence
Experience reduced stress and increased overall happiness

A Hybrid Approach to Learning
Our program blends the best of structured and unstructured learning, allowing children to develop foundational academic skills while also engaging in child-led discovery.

Guided Phonics and Beyond
KinderMath
Handwriting without Tears
Scholastic
Second Step
Wild Math
Unstructured Play & Exploration