Early Childhood
Canterbury School knows that building a strong foundation early in a child’s life can help lead to a lifetime of success. As a result, we have specialized in educating young children since our founding in 1993. We know that young learners discover and explore in unique ways and our preschool through 8th grade model allows us to focus all our resources on creating the best environment to foster growth and development in the most formative years.
Our early childhood classrooms are designed to create developmentally appropriate experiences for our youngest learners to explore the world around them. Our experienced faculty works with each student to support their growth and development, while establishing a love of learning that will carry them forward through their time at Canterbury and beyond.
Our Program
Fostering Curiosity
Young children are naturally curious and we know that fostering their curiosity leads to learning and critical thinking. We encourage students to ask the “big” questions and take an active role in discovering the answers. Teachers tailor instruction to find the right challenge and curiosity point for each individual child.
Exploring to Learn
Exploration and play create the foundation by which students learn by their earliest experiences. Our students are active learners, inside the classroom, on our early childhood playground, and on the nature trails. Students develop independence through centers, project based learning and active play.
Expanding Community
Relationships with peers and with teachers are critical to a young learner’s first experience with school. We help our students build trust so they can take risks and develop communication and collaboration skills. They widen their world with buddies in the elementary school and service learning in the community.
Making Connections
As young children learn, they connect new information to prior knowledge as they make sense of the world around them. Our faculty helps students build these bridges by basing lessons on student interest and understanding.
Classes
Cubs (3-4 year olds)
Cubs runs Monday - Friday and students have the option of attending half-day (8 a.m. - 1 p.m.) or full-day (8 a.m. - 3 p.m.). Students in Cubs must be potty-trained before they begin and are typically two years out from kindergarten.
PreK (4-5 year olds)
PreK runs Monday - Friday and students have the option of attending half-day (8 a.m. - 1 p.m.) or full-day (8 a.m. - 3 p.m.). Students in PreK are typically one year out from kindergarten.
*Sometimes, families are unsure which class will be the better placement based on their child’s birthday and social/emotional development. Please know that our team, based on your feedback and your child’s visit, will recommend an appropriate placement during the admissions process.
Extended Day Option (Cubs and PreK)
Extended Day provides the option for all students, including our Cubs and PreK students, to stay from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. either 3 or 5 days a week.
Transition to Kindergarten
Our early childhood classes prepare students for a smooth transition to kindergarten. Our students continue to build their curiosity and love of learning that begins in Cubs and PreK. Students do not need to reapply to go on to kindergarten at Canterbury.