A full day, state licensed, year-round preschool program for 3-5 year olds.
Our Program
The EJRP Preschool is a fully licensed preschool program that was established to meet the growing need for quality Pre-K education. With the use of the Recreation Department’s outdoor facilities and a creative classroom space, children learn to explore, work independently and in large groups, and communicate effectively with one another. Our program focuses on the uniqueness of each child and provides them with the tools to reach their learning potential and to successfully transition into Kindergarten.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide quality early education that fosters the growth of all children, encourages the connection between home and school, and supports the needs of our local community.
Our Philosophy
We believe that every child is capable of learning and being successful. It is our duty to provide children with a safe, enthusiastic and creative learning environment. This environment ensures that children feel comfortable being themselves and feel free to take the necessary risks to challenge their minds and reach their learning potential. This is realized through positive interactions between teachers and children, children and their peers, EJRP staff and the families it serves, and by engaging our program/children in our local community.
Our Goals
- Provide a warm, safe and nurturing environment for children that meets their physical, social and cognitive needs.
- Foster positive learning experiences where the process is more important than the product.
- Create a strong bond between home and school, recognizing the individual needs of each family.
- Pro vide opportunities for learning through play and free exploration.
- Encourage the expression of emotions for positive interactions and resolutions.
- Foster a sense of independence with an emphasis on self-help skills.
- Encourage appropriate social behavior.
Our Schedule
- 7:30 - Preschool Opens
- 7:30-9:20 - Explore Time (choose activities around the classroom and explore freely)
- 9:20-9:30 - Clean Up
- 9:30-9:50 - Morning Snack (teachers and children sit down for snack together)
- 9:50-10:00 - Books and Quiet Choices
- 10:00-10:30 - Morning Meeting (calendar, weather graph, theme songs/poems, group games, read alouds, group discussions, etc.)
- 10:30-11:00 - Group Activity/Stations (children either participate in a pre-planned group activity or split into small groups and rotate through stations)
- 11:00-11:45 - Outdoor Recess (utilizing the park facilities)
- 11:45-12:30 - Lunch
- 12:30-1:00 - Independent Reading/Books on Tape/Group Read Aloud
- 1:00-2:30 - Rest Time
- 2:30-3:10 - Books and Quiet Choices
- 3:10-3:30 - Afternoon Snack
- 3:30-4:30 - Outdoor Recess
- 4:30-5:00 - Afternoon Activities (may include creative art projects, science experiments, or theme-based activities)
- 5:00-5:30 - Explore Time
- 5:30 - Preschool Closes
Our Director
Christina McLaughlin, an Essex Junction native, is a licensed teacher through the state of Vermont who has been working with preschool aged children since 2002. She has helped preschool programs become accredited through both NAEYC and the STARS Program. Under her direction, children in the classroom are able to utilize a play-based, emergent curriculum that peaks their curiosity, engages them in exploration, and allows them to discover new skills and experiences.
Our Location
The EJRP Preschool Program is located in the Recreation Center at Maple Street Park, 75 Maple Street in Essex Junction, home to 38-acres of playgrounds and fields, and located just a half mile from the 5 Corners.
Our 2011-2012 Rates:
How Do I Sign Up?
Please call the Recreation Office (Monday-Friday, 8am-4pm) at 878-1375 to set up classroom visit and a meeting with the Preschool Director. Registration forms are available at the office and will be accepted in person only.
