When children are finally ready to separate, they move on to our Playmate classes. Children are required to be two years old by November 1 to enroll. The nurturing environment encourages each child to venture into the social/academic world on his/her own. Children encounter both group and individual activities where they will experience crafts, participate in musical activities, learn shapes, colors, and holidays while working on gross and fine motor skills, independence, socialization and language development.

Our Three year old program is designed to further encourage each child’s social and emotional development. Children are engaged through a thematic, hands-on-approach to learning. With the use of literature, music, crafts, science, math, and creative play, children begin to recognize their name and mathematical concepts that include sorting, grouping, counting, and one- to- one correspondence. Through individual and group activities, children experience texture and weight, make predictions and problem solve all while being encouraged to develop their expressive language. Children at this age begin to work and play together and we often find that this is the year that friendships blossom.

Our Pre K program prepares the children for Kindergarten by differentiating each activity to meet every child’s ability so they become confident learners. There is a focus on letters, language, mathematics, writing, and understanding the written word. We continue to focus on each child’s social and emotional development and encourage independence and individuality. Many activities are provided to assist in fine motor development, which is so important for writing. Both indoor gym time and outdoor playground time help develop a strong core, upper body strength and all gross motor skills. Whether in large or small groups, teacher directed or open play, all activities help foster imaginative play, creativity and a positive sense of self.

The last week in June is the beginning of Summer Camp at Jacob’s Ladder! All of our camp classes focus on science, cooking, creative art, imaginative play, music and indoor and outdoor playtime. Although we do not offer pool time, the children enjoy outdoor water play while splashing about in our water tables and participating in water play games and activities. We offer camp classes for Watch Us Grow, Playmates, Threes, and Pre K. Some summers we even offer our Stepping Stones class, which is for those students entering Kindergarten in the fall. Summer Camp is a half-day program and is available four days a week for seven weeks.

Mini Camp is only offered to current Jacob’s Ladder students who need a fill-in program before Summer Camp begins. It is a two-week program between the end of school and the beginning of Summer Camp,and is offered as either a half-day class or full day class, and must be attended the full two weeks. Children who attend must be in either the Playmates, Threes or Pre K. The thematic daily activities include science, art, music, creative play, indoor and outdoor playground time.