Every Fall we are accepting applications for Kiddie Corner's Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program. The program is available to all children residing in the City of Buffalo who will turn four before January 1 of that year. We are confident you will find your child's experience here exceptional. Our program will focus on hands on learning, giving your child the will to enjoy learning, and giving your child all the self confidence and esteem needed to succeed.
The school day begins at 9:00am. Your child must be in attendance from 9:00 - 11:30am, Monday through Friday. If your child is enrolled at Kiddie Corner for a full day, they may remain as long as you wish. The City of Buffalo will pay the tuition for all city residents to attend the program from 9:00 - 11:30am. See Tuition Fees for further information.
Letter to the Parents:
Welcome to our Universal Pre-Kindergarten Program. You and your child are about to have the ultimate in a Kindergarten readiness program. We will prepare your child academically, socially and emotionally to succeed in their years to come.
We would like to inform all of you that we will be holding an orientation on Thursday, Sept 1st at 6:00pm. At this time you will get a chance to meet Miss Jaime and discuss any questions you may have regarding our curriculum.
Letter from Miss Jaime
Welcome to the new school year! My name is Jaime Wojcik and I will be your child's Pre-kindergarten teacher. Pauline McNamara will also be working in this classroom as the teacher's aide. We are looking forward to an exciting, fun-filled year.
The UPK program starts at 9:00am. We ask that your child be here on time because we only have a limited amount of time each day. Please be sure to check your child's mailbox daily. You will be receiving a lot of important information this year.
Dismissal is at 11:30am (if your child attends 1/2 day).
Daily attendance is very important. Your child's progress, both academically and socially, is influenced to a great extend by daily participation. If your child will be absent, please call Kiddie Corner (827 5437) before 9:00am. You must also send in a written excuse that will be placed in your child's file.
A snack calendar will be sent home along with the newsletter every month. Your child should bring a snack to share with the class on his/her assigned day. A snack suggestion list will be given at a later date.
We ask that each child has the following supplies labeled with your child's name for school:
- Composition notebook
- Crayon box
- 1 pack washable markers ("big" ones work better for this age)
- 1 pair of scissors
- 1 box of crayon
- Glue stick
- Paint smock (old t-shirts are great)
- 1 package of wipes
- $5 for Weekly Reader subscription
- Small blanket (full day only)
- Spare change of clothes
- Backpacks are not needed as we do not have enough reoom for them.
A monthly newsletter will be sent home at the end of each month. A calendar will also be sent to let you know what skills, letters, themes, etc. we will be working on.
Photos are often a big help when little ones are sad. Please send in 4-5 (or more) pictures of your child with parents, siblings, pets, on vacation, etc. One family photo would be great. Also, be sure these pictures are ones we can keep and cut. Thanks!
What we do
Our focus is on literacy. The Pre-K program is a developtmentally appropriate, center-based program. We plan activities and experiences that are individually geared to you child's abilities and needs. Our curriculum encourages your chld to develop not only intellectually, but emotionally and socially. Pre-Reading and Literacy Skills are being taught throughout the day. When visiting your child's classroom, you will see that center time is a large part of the day. When the children are involved in learning centers they are bing provided the opportunity to experiment, explore, imagine and learn how to get along with their peers. All activieis are planned throughout the day. Circle time and story time are large group activities. In a small group the teacher will work with children according to their specific needs and abilities.
Breakfast and lunch are served to the children, family style, in a small setting. Meal-time is designed to enhance listening and speaking skills.
Your pre-k teacher will also be your child's music, art and gross motor (gym) instructor. The children will spend time every day enjoying these activities. We encourage outside play as often as possible.
How we do it
We begin with literacy basead centers. The following skills are being continuously learned while the children are working in centers.
Library Corner: By reading aloud teachers show children how a story is told through words and pictures. Children discover that we read from left to right and grasp the concepts of words and letters.
Math Center: The math center includes a variety of manipulatives (puzzles, legos, and beads) that improve a child's concentration, focus and eye-hand coordination, and encourage counting and oral language development.
Art Center: The art center is filled with lots of supplies like construction paper, an easel with paints, and crayons, so that children can experiment with their own creativity. the process- or the doing - is where the children are learning. Holding a crayon, cutting with scissors and folding paper all help children to master fine motor skills which are important for learning handwriting.
Science:Magnets, scales and magnifying glasses help children master science skills like classifying, labeling, weighin, examining, and predicting.
Dramatic Play: Whether this area is set up as a home, a hospital, or a post office, it gives the children the chance to role-play. This is wonderful for language development, vocabulary acquisition, and develop skills like cooperation and problem-solving.
Sand and Water: Children love to experiment with different textrues and forms. Using containers, pumps, tubes, and sieves prompt children to explore cause and effect, measure volume, and learn concepts like squirting, sifting, floating, and sinking.
Block Area:These traditional wooden toys teach basic math and science skills. children can count, compare sizes, measure and plan patersn to build structures. Research has shown that playing with blocks improves spatial skills, which are key to success in subjects such as geometry and physics.
GETTING OFF TO A GOOD START