Why should I enroll my child in a prekindergarten program?

Attending a prekindergarten program of high quality has been shown to have a positive impact on a child’s future as a learner. The goal of the Greece Central School District (GCSD) Prekindergarten Program is to build a foundation for children to succeed in kindergarten and beyond. Our program provides many developmentally appropriate practices, materials and opportunities for children to learn and grow. The program is aligned with the New York State Prekindergarten Learning Standards; and ensures continuity with the district’s Kindergarten-Grade 3 continuum. In addition, our program reflects the following shared beliefs: 

• We believe the primary focus of instruction is to provide learning experiences in meaningful contexts and to provide many and varied opportunities for children to: extend their knowledge of concepts, vocabulary, and ideas; develop self-help, social, emotional, language, cognitive, and motor skills; explore their feelings about themselves, their peers, and the adults in their immediate environment; and develop positive outlooks on learning, such as curiosity, cooperation, and caring.

• We believe that “children are learning when they explore, discover, investigate, role play, and use tools and materials in creative ways.” (Planning for High-Quality Prekindergarten Programs: Building a Foundation for School Success, 12/2019, p. 14). Therefore, our prekindergarten program values purposeful play as an important instructional strategy to develop critical foundational skills. 

• We believe that families are strong partners and have a critical role in supporting the growth and development of their children. We encourage families to seek opportunities to participate actively in the education of their children. Ongoing communication with school staff is considered vital for the success of the program and each child in it.