The Effingham County Pre-K program (for children turning 4 years old prior to September 1st) is guided by educators who work together to provide a strong foundation for early learning. The Georgia Pre-K Program is administered by Bright From the Start: Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning. Our Pre-K program provides an environment that encourages children to have fun while they learn.

The Pre-K curriculum is aligned with the Georgia Early Learning Standards (GELDS). The curriculum supports research-based teaching practices and provides engaging activities for our children. Assessment strategies and tools are utilized to measure our children’s progress and guide the instructional practices of our teachers.

Active learning is the foundation of our curriculum. Children learn best with direct, hands-on experiences with people, objects, events and ideas. Children are encouraged to “construct” their own knowledge by pursuing personal interests and goals. They are guided by trained adults who understand the developmental needs of children in the preschool years. Active learning is a key element in all teacher and student initiated activities. Classrooms are divided into “interest areas” (blocks, housekeeping, small toys, books, sand/water, art, etc.) to encourage hands on learning. Domains for instruction include: Personal and Social Development, Language and Literacy, Mathematical Thinking, Scientific Thinking, Social Studies, The Arts, and Physical Development/Health & Safety. Our Pre-K classrooms provide a setting for children to explore, ask and answer questions, solve problems and interact with classmates and adults.

Daily schedules are developed for each Pre-K classroom. We understand that daily routines give children a sense of control over the events of the day. With a structured schedule, children can anticipate what happens next during their school day. Teachers typically follow a “Plan-Do-Review Sequence” to keep children informed and engaged. Other key elements planned throughout the day include morning message/greetings, small and large group learning blocks, center time, music and movement, rest time and outdoor time.

Our pre-k team values the opportunity to provide a high quality preschool experience for our Effingham County families. Our high expectations of our program will help build a strong foundation for our children as they become life-long learners.