100% VPK School Readiness Rate

CLASSROOM

The Voyagers & Innovators classrooms are where the magic happens!  These children spend the year having fun and preparing for Kindergarten!  Our PreK-4 classrooms include a state VPK program as well as a private pay option.  Our FREE VPK hours are 9:00 - 12:00 Monday through Friday.  These classrooms are strictly for children who are 4 years of age on or before September 1st.  We consistently hear from parents after the kindergarten screening that their child is well prepared to start elementary school!

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ARRIVAL TIME

It is very important for your child to get to school by 9:00 am for this program to take full advantage of our amazing curriculum. We encourage you to drop your child off by 8:30 to go to the playground for a half hour before VPK starts.  Playground time is not allowed to happen during VPK hours, and we want to make sure our students can "get the wiggles out" before spending three hours learning and exploring in the classroom.  When your child is dropped off, parents and teachers will discuss any concerns or events that the teacher should be aware of. It is the job of both the parent and teacher to help the child make the transition. We will make sure that your child is well taken care of and quickly involved in classroom activities to keep them engaged.

EATING

Voyagers & Innovators enjoy eating lunch and snack with their classmates and teachers. This is not only a time for eating, but a time for learning conversational skills, social skills and table manners. Our teachers eat with the children to help teach appropriate table skills. We clean up spills with smiles at Excel Creative Learning Academy, because we understand that it is a developmental milestone for your child. (Please note that lunch time is after VPK hours.)

SLEEPING

Our four-year-olds take daily naps. Rest time in our Voyagers & Innovators classrooms last about an hour-and-a-half.  Towards the end of the school year we shorten rest time to about an hour, and over the summer we suspend nap time in order to prepare your child for Kindergarten.  Each child has their own individual cot and sheet to nap on. Feel free to send in a small pillow and blanket and/or stuffed animal to make nap time easier. Our children are so engaged and busy throughout the day that they usually have no problems taking an afternoon nap. Our teachers will be there helping your child to get comfortable and relaxed.

TOILETING

All our sinks and toilets are low to the ground to help encourage independence in the bathroom. Accidents are going to happen and we don't get upset about it. Please send in several changes of clothing for your child (as well as socks and shoes!) so we don't run out if an accident happens!

DEVELOPMENT & CURRICULUM

In our VPK program we get messy and have lots of fun doing it! We use a combination of Creative Curriculum, Souns Curriculum, Second Step Curriculum, art, SMART Boards, Writing Center, Literacy Center, Manipulatives, Science Center, Blocks, and outside adventures to learn all about ourselves and our surroundings. Your child will learn the skills necessary to become successful Kindergartners in the near future! Throughout the school year your child will be working on their portfolio, and you will get weekly "Homework Packets" sent home so your child can teach you about what they are learning!

PICK UP TIME

VPK only students will need to be picked up promptly at 12:00pm daily.  Teachers will share information about the child's day with their parents. This is also a time for transition from teacher to parent.