The St. Viator School Early Childhood program instills confidence, independence, curiosity and a love of learning in our youngest students. Our 3 and 4-year-old preschool programs provide a solid foundation and a nurturing environment for social, emotional and academic development that places children on a path to lifelong learning. When students enter Kindergarten, they are ready to learn.

 

The preschool programs utilize hands-on learning to develop the entire child – mind, body, and spirit. Students develop their self-help skills to build their independence and personal pride. They are encouraged to ask questions and engage in discussions during class. St. Viator’s preschool programs are rigorously evaluated and are recognized by the Office of Catholic Schools and the Illinois State Board of Education. Early Childhood Students participate in classroom extension classes, "Specials", such as music and library. Physical Education programming develops children’s gross and fine motor skills. The young ones even travel to the Computer Lab for Media Studies class, where they learn responsible use of technological resources. Preschool students have an educational experience similar to our older students, at an age-appropriate level.

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Preschool students have Religious Education in class three times a week. They say daily prayers at the start of the day, at snack time, and at lunch. Preschool students do not attend Class Mass with the entire school. Instead, there are four Early Childhood specific "prayer services" to introduce them to the church setting.

 

PreK 3 Curriculum

 

We understand that St. Viator School is the first classroom experience for many of our "PreK 3" students. We focus on making their introductions to new teachers, new friends and classroom structure positive experiences. Through the Peace Builder Program, we teach our students, starting with the preschoolers, kindness, respect for others, and compassion. Throughout our Early Childhood instruction, we foster a sense of independence and high self-esteem.

 

Academic concepts covered in PreK 3 include:

• Name & letter recognition and formation

• Auditory & visual discrimination

• Listening comprehension

• Memory recall

• Literature appreciation

• Recognition of colors

• Number recognition, counting and grouping objects

• Shapes, patterns, & sequencing

• Classification and comparison

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PreK 4 Curriculum

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In PreK 4, students are individually assessed so instruction best serves their needs. Students review and reinforce the skills and concepts they previously learned. Children are encouraged to discover their independence and natural talents, guided to make positive choices, and follow and understand rules in preparation for Kindergarten.

 

PreK 4 teachers utilize the Frog Street curriculum. This research-based program provides a scope and sequence for literacy, math, science, and social studies lessons. Utilizing Conscious Discipline strategies, the curriculum builds a strong social-emotional foundation from which students can learn to solve conflicts and manage their emotions. The program includes strategies for differentiated instruction, offering support to a variety of learning challenges. PreK 4 students work in "learning centers" this year. They have hands-on activities and an opportunity to connect with different learning styles that make lessons fun yet still meaningful.

 

Academic concepts covered in PreK 4 include:

• Literature appreciation

• Story dictation

• Journal writing/drawing

• Graphing

• Measurement

• Position, sequencing, classification, and comparison

• Religion

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Kindergarten Curriculum

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Kindergarten brings together the classroom socialization with the education practice of our preschool classes. Students will learn to ready during the Kindergarten year. St. Viator currently uses the Fontas & Pinnell Literacy program to teach students how to read.

 

Kindergarten students are assigned an ipad for in-class, supervised instruction on Education Technology (EdTech) programs. The EdTech tools supplement the traditional "book learning", and time on the device is monitored.

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Kindergarten is the first year that students dress in the school uniform. They are expected to follow the school dress code, just like the "big kids".

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Program Information

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Our Early Childhood classrooms each have a teacher and a teacher’s aide. Preschool classes "cap" at twenty students. The student-to-teacher ratio for preschool does not exceed 10:1. Kindergarten classes cap at 25 students.

 

PreK 3 Class Options:

• Three days (M-W-F) or five days (M-T-W-TH-F) per week; and

• Half-day (7:50 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.) or full-day (7:50 a.m. – 2:55 p.m.) attendance

 

PreK 4 Class Options:

• Five days (M-T-W-TH-F) per week; and

• Half -day (7:50 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.) or full-day (7:50 a.m. – 2:55 p.m.) attendance

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Kindergarten:

• Five days (M-T-W-TH-F) per week

• Full-day (7:50 a.m. – 2:55 p.m.) attendance​​