Our PRESCHOOL Curriculum
Our programs offer children a warm and encouraging preschool environment. Class activities provide children with a wealth of resources and enriching activities. Daily sessions include individual, small group, and whole class experiences. Teachers plan several exciting interdisciplinary units throughout the year. Each unit incorporates a variety of play, artistic, dramatic, fine and gross motor, literacy, critical thinking, and scientific activities. Hands-on exploration is always encouraged.
Children in the preschool program enjoy physical education and music classes with specialized teachers each week. In addition, students visit the updated library for an interactive literacy experience and borrow books related to the classroom curriculum. Classes enjoy several field trips throughout the year to enhance learning.
While the Co-Op is housed in the Ridgewood United Methodist Church, our preschool curriculum is nonsectarian and does not include any religious instruction. Diverse holiday traditions are celebrated. Emphasis is placed on respect, caring for others, and learning to become a responsible member of the community.
Children in the preschool program enjoy physical education and music classes with specialized teachers each week. In addition, students visit the updated library for an interactive literacy experience and borrow books related to the classroom curriculum. Classes enjoy several field trips throughout the year to enhance learning.
While the Co-Op is housed in the Ridgewood United Methodist Church, our preschool curriculum is nonsectarian and does not include any religious instruction. Diverse holiday traditions are celebrated. Emphasis is placed on respect, caring for others, and learning to become a responsible member of the community.
Our programs
The Co-Op will offer the following preschool classes for the 2022-2023 school year. Registration is open now and is ongoing as long as space is available.
Toddler & Me - 1 or 2 Days a Week (2 Sessions, September -December & Jan-June)
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday 12:30-2:00 pm --17 different 8 week classes offered throughout the year!
Toddler & Me - 1 or 2 Days a Week (2 Sessions, September -December & Jan-June)
- Tuesdays, 9:15 am - 10:45 am
- Thursdays, 9:15 am - 10:45 am
- Tuesdays & Thursdays 9:00 am - 11:30 am
- Mondays & Wednesdays, 9:00 am - 11:30 am (beginning January)
- Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 9:00 am - 11:30 am
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, & Thursday, 9:00 am - 11:30 am
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday, 9:00 am - 11:30 am
- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, & Friday, 9:00 am - 11:30 am
- Fridays, 9:00 am - 11:30 am
- Monday-Friday, 11:30 am- 1:00 pm
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday 12:30-2:00 pm --17 different 8 week classes offered throughout the year!
Daily preschool schedule
Each day starts with a period of free play during which the children move around the classroom centers. One area provides game, puzzles and books for quiet play. Painting and other art projects are always available. A dress-up corner and play kitchen also stimulate the imagination. An extensive block and toy collection facilitates cooperative or solo play.
Later, cleanup time leads into circle time. The children come together to enjoy stories, songs and simple games that are designed to promote literacy, mathematics, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.
Throughout the rest of the preschool class session, students participate in developmentally appropriate play and academic activities. A variety of mediums are used for artwork to help to develop fine motor skills and encourage sharing, creativity, and self-expression. The class experiences small group learning activities to ensure that children get the attention and assistance that they need. Children also participate in an interactive literacy read aloud and enjoy a healthy snack. Active play takes place on the outdoor playground, where there are tricycles and other age-appropriate ride-on toys, and a new fenced in playground. In inclement weather, children enjoy active play in the "Rainy Day Room," which features a play structure, building blocks, gymnastic mats, ride-on toys and an indoor basketball hoop.
Later, cleanup time leads into circle time. The children come together to enjoy stories, songs and simple games that are designed to promote literacy, mathematics, problem solving, and critical thinking skills.
Throughout the rest of the preschool class session, students participate in developmentally appropriate play and academic activities. A variety of mediums are used for artwork to help to develop fine motor skills and encourage sharing, creativity, and self-expression. The class experiences small group learning activities to ensure that children get the attention and assistance that they need. Children also participate in an interactive literacy read aloud and enjoy a healthy snack. Active play takes place on the outdoor playground, where there are tricycles and other age-appropriate ride-on toys, and a new fenced in playground. In inclement weather, children enjoy active play in the "Rainy Day Room," which features a play structure, building blocks, gymnastic mats, ride-on toys and an indoor basketball hoop.
supplemental programs throughout the school year:
- MUSIC: In addition to routine songs and musical activities that take place in the classroom, each preschool class has a weekly music session with our music teacher. The children also perform in two concerts during the year.
- PHYSICAL EDUCATION: To supplement daily free play on the playground or in our "Rainy Day Room," gym classes are offered for all classes on a weekly basis . Our gym teacher puts together a curriculum that helps to develop children's gross motor skills, as well as opportunities for sharing and teamwork.
- LIBRARY: Each class visits the preschool library once a week. Children will enjoy listening to a story that correlates to the current classroom theme. They also borrow books that correspond with the changing seasons, monthly holidays or curriculum themes currently followed in their classrooms. The Ridgewood Co-Op has an extensive pre-school library with over 6000 books available to the students.
- FIELD TRIPS AND SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS: Each class will participate in at least two educational and age appropriate field trips throughout the year, as well as enjoy special presentations that we bring to the Co-Op. Examples include: pumpkin picking and hayride, McFaul Environmental Center, Buehler Challenger & Space Center, Abma's Farm, a local dentist, Stop & Shop,The Hermitage, and more)
- SPECIAL PROGRAMS: Throughout the year the Co-Op will run special programs in school for the children (animal shows, planetarium, dino dig, fire safety, visits from police officers and dentists, and more); for our families during and after school hours (magic shows, playground breakfasts, special person's day, field day, ice cream socials, thanksgiving feasts, holiday and Springtime concerts and breakfasts, and more), and for the parents (child development speaker series, coffee hours, Mom's Night Out, Dad's Trivia Night, Spring Sing auction at Hackensack Country Club, and more).