Class Descriptions | Example Class Curriculum | Example Field Trips

Eastside offers five classes for children ages 2-5. Each class is 2 1/2 hours in length and meets at our classroom, located at 1412 Boulevard Road. The preschool year begins in mid-September and ends in May. School holidays loosely follow the Olympia School District holiday schedule.

Teacher Norma teaches the Red, Blue and Green classes. Teacher Annie teaches the Orange and Purple classes.

The teacher profiles page will give you more information about our amazing teaching staff.

Class Descriptions

Red: For children 2 years old or older by August 31. Class meets from 9-11:30 a.m. on Fridays. Class size: 8 children. Adults in classroom: 1 teacher, 2-3 parent helpers. Children do not need to be toilet trained.

Blue: For children 3 years old or older by August 31. Class meets from 9-11:30 a.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays. Class size: 11 children. Adults in classroom: 1 teacher, 2-3 parent helpers. Children do not need to be toilet trained.

Green: For children 3 years old or older by August 31. Class meets from 9-11:30 a.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Class size: 11 children. Adults in classroom: 1 teacher, 2-3 parent helpers. Children do not need to be toilet trained.

Purple: For children 4 years old or older by August 31. Class meets from 12:30-3 p.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays and every other Friday. Class size: 12 children. Adults in classroom: 1 teacher, 2 parent helpers. Children do not need to be toilet trained.

Orange: For children 4 years old or older by August 31. Class meets from 12:30-3 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and every other Friday. Class size: 12 children. Adults in classroom: 1 teacher, 2 parent helpers. Children do not need to be toilet trained.

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Example Class Curriculum

Discovery Time: Students are greeted by teacher and parent helpers as they arrive. Once children get settled, they can participate in a number of activities. The dramatic play area, story loft, science table and art area are always open. In addition, the teacher offers three other choices specific to the day's lessons, i.e. painting with apples, making apple sauce and play dough. Though the children are free to make their own choices, this isn't a free-for-all time. The activities are set up to encourage social interaction, positive behavior, cooperation and problem-solving skills.

Clean-up Time: Lively music makes clean-up fun and helps children transition to the next activity.

Circle Time: The children and parent helpers gather together inside or outside (weather permitting) for age-appropriate songs, stories, creative movement and sharing. In the older classes, children are asked to bring something for show and tell that has specific properties, i.e., flexible, transparent, fragrant, etc.

Outside Time: A time for running, jumping, riding bicycles, climbing play structures, playing in the dollhouse, or playing with sand or water. It's an opportunity to be very noisy while exploring nature. Sometimes, the classes might take a supervised walk through the trail along the property line.

Snack Time: Eating snack is a chance to practice social skills while learning about nutrition, science and hygiene. Children often help their parents prepare snack.

Story Time or other small group activity: The teacher or parent helper will read stories in the loft. Children who choose not to participate often work on quiet activities (coloring, dramatic play area) with the other parent helper. Sometimes, teacher may set out a second discovery time session with items specific to the month's theme or day's lesson, i.e. make height and weight charts, hunt for bugs, experiment with levers and pulleys or make pancakes.

Outside Time: One last chance to get their engery out before being picked up!

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Example Field Trips

Class field trips vary depending upon the age of the class and parent availability. In general, the classes take trips to the pumpkin patch, McAllister Springs to see the salmon run (older classes), bakery, post office, fire station, dentist, and children's museums.

Teachers often invite guest speakers and parents to share their experiences or talents with the classes. In years past, children have had visits from firefighters, tooth fairies, theater groups, musicians, veterinarians, chefs -- just about any talent or special interest parents and community members are willing to share with our children.

Siblings are sometimes allowed on class field trips, depending upon the venue and focus of the trip. A trip to the pumpkin patch would be open to siblings. A trip to the bakery would likely not include siblings (usually at the bakery's request) because of the size of the group.

Classes also get together on non-school days for special events, such as children's plays, playgroups, birthday parties, train rides or park trips. While these events are voluntary and not associated with the preschool, we do encourage families to gather for play time outside school.

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