The St. Michael Experience
Love.
Education.
Community.
Communication.
At St. Michael , we are driven by four core ideals that shape the extraordinary experience we offer:
-
At the heart of our center is a profound and sincere love for each and every child. We understand that nurturing is as essential as education, and we go the extra mile to provide a warm and caring environment where children feel cherished and valued.
-
Our approach to education is as dynamic as the children we teach. We believe in tailored learning experiences, crafting lesson plans that adapt to the unique developmental stages of each child. From discovering colors and shapes in their early years to exploring the intricacies of neurons and science as they grow, our curriculum is a journey that evolves with your child. Moreover, we take pride in being a bilingual school, fostering language development in both English and Spanish to enrich their communication skills and broaden their horizons.
-
We recognize the importance of building a strong sense of community, not only among our little learners but also extending to parents and caregivers. Through our monthly family park outings, we create opportunities for families to bond, share experiences, and form lasting connections beyond the school environment. This fosters a network of support and friendship that enriches the lives of both children and parents
-
We believe in keeping you connected to your child's daily experiences. Our commitment to communication is unwavering. Each day, you'll receive text messages complete with pictures, videos, and updates that allow you to witness your child's joy and growth. Furthermore, our quarterly parent conferences provide an in-depth look into your child's development, allowing us to discuss progress, achievements, and goals. This two-way communication ensures that you're an active participant in your little one's educational journey.
Learn more about the unique experience in each of our classes!
Our Infant Classes
-
We use Primary Infant / Toddler Curriculum (PITC) guided by Magda Gerber's philosophy. We believe that infants and toddlers are competent learners and will be given the opportunities to try out their developing skills. the PITC philosophy also focuses on daily routines with consistent caregivers.
Our stationary class places a strong emphasis on the physical development of children. We prioritize activities such as tummy time, rolling from front to back and back to front, and sitting up with and without assistance. Additionally, we focus on teaching children how to reach for items, react to various noises, recognize sounds, and make associations with words and meanings. Our class has a 1:3 teacher-to-child ratio, and we are fortunate to have two additional teachers. One of them leads our activity time, which includes story time, flashcards, music class, and arts and crafts. The other teacher provides 24/7 supervision in our nap room.
Parents will fill out a service plan and sleep plan. We will follow the already implemented schedule for the child, or can help you create a schedule for the child prior to starting. This is also part of our parent consulting services!
-
In our mobile class, we heavily focus on language development, gross motor skills, communication, socialization, and fostering curiosity. The toys and space provided enable children to practice crawling, standing, taking their first steps, walking, and running. We engage in constant conversation with the children as hearing language is crucial to their language acquisition. We teach ABCs, numbers, colors, body parts, and more in both English and Spanish. Our music class includes instruments, with the fan-favorite being the maracas. At St. Michael, we strive to impart 21st-century skills that are most needed in our complex, globalized, and rapidly changing world, starting from infancy. We recognize that the ages between 0-5 are crucial for a child's brain development, and thus we prioritize building a strong foundation for our children from the very start.
Our class has a 1:3 teacher-to-child ratio, and we are fortunate to have two additional teachers. One of them leads our activity time, which includes story time, flashcards, music class, and arts and crafts. The other teacher provides 24/7 supervision in our nap room.
Parents will fill out a service plan and sleep plan. We will follow the already implemented schedule for the child, or can help you create a schedule for the child prior to starting. This is also part of our parent consulting services!
-
We use the Common Core Standards inspired curriculum in combination with the preschool learning foundations presented by the California Department of Education. We use the California Desired Results Developmental Profile-Revised (DRDP-R) as a teacher observation tool that is being aligned with the foundation's. The DRDP-R gives teachers a means to observe children's learning along a continuum of developmental levels. With your support we can prepare your child for elementary school and many years to follow.
Our program focuses on providing a safe, nurturing environment where toddlers can develop their physical, cognitive, and social skills. The curriculum is designed to promote language development, gross and fine motor skills, socialization, and emotional growth. Activities include play-based learning, music and movement, story-time, arts and crafts, and outdoor play. Our program is play-based, with a Montessori approach, providing children with opportunities for child-led activities. The program also encourages toilet training and self-help skills such as feeding and dressing. The toddler program is led by qualified early childhood educators who understand the unique needs and abilities of this age group. Our ratio in this class is 12:3.
We aim to instill in children the importance of structure, discipline, respect, learning, and developing good habits. Our comprehensive curriculum is available in both English and Spanish, and we have expanded our focus on emotional development with this age group. We teach children the significance of emotional development through enhancing self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills. text goes here
Our Preschool Classes
-
Our 2-3 year old class is a bilingual program that offers instruction in both Spanish and English. Our curriculum is designed to promote language development, cognitive growth, and emotional well-being. We understand that this is a critical time for emotional development, and we prioritize nurturing our children's social and emotional skills. Our program includes activities that promote self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills. We engage in conversations with children to explain emotions, and how to identify and express them. Additionally, our program provides a safe, inclusive, and diverse environment where children can learn about different cultures and perspectives. Children will enjoy play-based learning, music and movement, story-time, flash cards, arts and crafts, and outdoor play.
We prioritize teaching 21st-century skills, including social and creative skills such as communication, collaboration, critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, grit, leadership, and adaptability. We focus on developing both cognitive and non-cognitive skills through play-based learning, classroom instruction, and outdoor activities. Our low ratios (12:3) allow us to design a program tailored to each child's unique needs and individual development. Ultimately, we aim to provide a strong foundation for future success in the classroom, boardroom, and beyond.
-
Our bilingual English & Spanish program for 3-4 year olds is designed to provide a comprehensive and well-rounded education. We continue to prioritize emotional development while also introducing reading, writing, arithmetic, and artistic skills. Our experienced teachers use a variety of engaging teaching methods to promote language acquisition, cognitive development, and creativity. We understand that this is a critical time for emotional development, and we prioritize nurturing our children's social and emotional skills by modeling positive behaviors, and providing opportunities for children to practice and develop their emotional skills.
Children will enjoy learning through play, music and movement, storytime, arts and crafts, and outdoor play. Our low student-to-teacher ratios (12:3) allow us to provide individualized attention to each child, ensuring that they receive the support and guidance needed to thrive. Our bilingual program provides a unique opportunity for children to learn two languages simultaneously, opening doors to new cultures and opportunities. Ultimately, our goal is to provide a strong foundation for future success in all areas of life.
Our class has a 1:3 teacher-to-child ratio, and we are fortunate to have two additional teachers. One of them leads our activity time, which includes story time, flashcards, music class, and arts and crafts. The other teacher provides 24/7 supervision in our nap room.
Parents will fill out a service plan and sleep plan. We will follow the already implemented schedule for the child, or can help you create a schedule for the child prior to starting. This is also part of our parent consulting services!
-
Our bilingual program for 4-5 year olds is designed to provide a rigorous education that prepares children for success in the first grade and beyond. We prioritize teaching first-grade level material in both languages to ensure that children are fully bilingual and able to communicate effectively in both English and the second language. In addition to traditional academic subjects, we also focus on teaching important 21st-century skills such as grit, leadership, critical thinking, and adaptability. We believe that developing these skills at an early age will help children thrive in any future academic or professional pursuits. Our experienced teachers use a variety of teaching methods, including hands-on activities and play-based learning, to engage children and promote learning. We also prioritize individualized attention and support, ensuring that each child receives the guidance they need to succeed.
We focus on group led activities with this age group. Group-led activities for this age group is an effective way to teach children how to learn, how to teach, and appreciate a class setting. These activities can help children develop important social and emotional skills such as cooperation, communication, and empathy. By working together on projects and activities, children learn to respect each other's ideas and opinions and develop a sense of community within the classroom. Group-led activities teach children how to take turns, listen to others, and follow directions, all important skills for success. By encouraging children to share their knowledge and ideas with each other, these activities can also help them develop leadership and teaching skills. Ultimately, these activities can help children build a positive attitude towards learning and appreciate the value of working together as a group to achieve common goals.
Looking to Enroll?
Please fill out the contact form below for more information or schedule an introductory call using the pink button in the bottom right hand of the screen!
You can also give us a call or text anytime at 650-505-5359.
Or email us at info@stmichaelpreschool.org.
