Saddleback Valley Magazine Winter 2015 | Page 22

Preschool Connection WINTER 2015/16 The Department of Child Care Services has developed The Preschool Connection, Preschool Connection Plus, Best Buddies, Toddler Connection, and The Kindergarten Connection programs to serve the Saddleback Valley community. These programs are offered with different attendance options with a daily schedule of three or four hours. The programs provide an enriched classroom environment with guidance, experiences, and materials including “Handwriting Without Tears,” a pre-reading readiness curriculum. Daily activities include readiness learning activities, music, art, games, and outdoor play. Parents are kept informed through event flyers, newsletters, and calendars. The Preschool Connection programs provide an enriching, safe, positive learning environment offering the opportunity for development through personal growth, involvement, interaction, and exploration. Dedicated Preschool Teachers and Assistants have education and experience specific to Child Development. The programs are held in TLC portables on the campus of 11 SVUSD elementary schools. Fees range from $515 to $740 Preschool Connection PLUS Ages: 3-5 Years / For children 3 years of age by Sept. 1, 2015 9:00 am-1:00 pm / 2-3 days a week Locations: La Tierra & Trabuco Mesa Schools The Preschool Connection Plus Special Friends is a four-hour program that was developed as a part of the SVUSD Special Needs Early Childhood Center. It includes the same curriculum offered in Preschool Connection...plus our Special Friends. This program is composed of typical children who participate in combined activities for approximately two 30-minute sessions with their Special Friends. This mainstreaming enhances understanding and friendship for all children. Combined activities allow Special Friends to model typical behavior of the Preschool Connection children. Light lunch required. Kindergarten Connection 9:00 am-12:00 pm Monday through Friday Preschool Connection Ages 3-5 Years For children 3 years of age by Sept. 1, 2015 9:00 am-12:00 pm / 2-3 days a week Locations: Cielo Vista, Cordillera, Del Lago, De Portola, Foothill, La Tierra, Portola Hills, Rancho Canada, Robinson and Trabuco Mesa Schools. “Best Buddies” Ages: 3 - 5 Years For children 3 years of age by Sept. 1, 2015 9:00 am-12:00 pm / 2-3 days a week Location: La Tierra This program is a developmental preschool program offered in collaboration with the SVUSD Early Childhood Center. It is a blended class of children from the Preschool Connection and the Early Childhood Center. The instructional program is provided through a team-teaching model with a Preschool Connection teacher, assistant teachers and a credentialed special education teacher, planning and delivering instruction together. The Toddler Connection Ages: 2.5-3 years Child must be 2.5 by Sept. 1, 2015 9:00 am-12:00 pm / Tues. & Thur. / 2 days a week Location: Cordillera School For children 5 years of age by April 30, 2015 The program focus is development through creativity and self-awareness and to encourage positive social interaction and social skills. Storytelling, learning activities, music, games, and crafts will be introduced. Each class has a maximum of 14 children led by a teacher and an assistant. Child must be toilet trained. Location: Melinda Heights School Fee: $370 per month Department of The Kindergarten Connection is a pre-kindergarten readiness class. It is a five-day per week program with the focus on developing and practicing skills needed for a successful kindergarten experience. Class has 25 children led by a teacher and two assistants. The daily activities help each child build on their existing skills and improve readiness skills for kindergarten. The curriculum enhances basic reading and math readiness, language development/dictation, gross and fine motor skills, accelerated pre-reading readiness skills, and “Handwriting Without Tears” curriculum. 22 | S Magazine Registe r NOW! www.saddlebackchildcare.org CommunityServices.svusd.org Child Care Services Toddler to Teens est. 1983 Saddleback Valley Unified School District Please call our office or visit our website for more information www.saddlebackchildcare.org 949.768.0981 ext. 2