| Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) |
| Give your child a head start! VPK is designed to ensure all 4 and 5 year olds are intellectually, emotionally, physically and socially ready to enter kindergarten. * VPK is FREE between 9am and 12noon * Wrap around care for your child is available from 7am to 6pm Monday to Friday * Step By Step is approved by the Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County. * ENROLL NOW for the 2012/2013 VPK program. Call (352) 373-6988 to find out more and arrange a visit with us today! |
| Curriculum Step By Step utilizes the 'High Reach' curriculum and Florida VPK Standards which are developmentally appropriate and include learning in: * Early Literacy * Physical health & hygiene * Motor development * Language development (incl. rhyming and phonological awareness) * Cognitive development (incl. math and science) Step By Step also utilizes the 'Second Step Violence prevention curriculum' which teaches the children about their emotions and using their words to resolve conflicts rather than hitting, lashing out etc. |
| Curriculum Philosophy Children always learn best when they are actively involved in their education, through hands-on activities. Themed lessons are used to introduce information and learning takes place as your child explores and manipulates real objects and events. The curriculum used by Step By Step provides a balanced program that addresses the whole child; socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. Children need a balance of both child-initiated and teacher facilitated activities each day. Step By Step's experienced teacher, Ms Lori, creates a positive and rich educational environment for your child to learn and develop. |
| How to enroll 1. Stop by and take a tour at Step By Step, see our school facilities and meet Ms Lori our experienced and caring VPK teacher 2. Complete Step By Step's enrollment form (available when you tour) 3. Go to the Early Learning Coalition of Alachua County and sign up free for VPK who will provide you with a 'child eligibility and enrollment certificate' 4. Return the VPK enrollment certificate you received at the Early Learning Coalition to Step By Step. |
| Graduation At the end of the VPK year (June) the children take part in their own graduation ceremony where they enjoy performing songs and showing you what they have learnt through the year. This year our graduation ceremony took place at 'The Atrium', a local retirement community. This was an ideal event to involve the whole community, both old and young and to give back something to residents of Gainesville who were former teachers, community leaders etc. |
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VPK includes 30min every week of 'Stretch-n-Grow', a professionally coached fitness program designed specifically for children! While childhood obesity has been getting lots of attention in recent years, Stretch-n-Grow has been aware of the issue and providing a solution since 1992. They are the world's largest network of children's fitness professionals and have taught millions of children world-wide the importance of healthy habits. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared obesity ‘a global epidemic’ and experts agree that childhood obesity must be curtailed. The Stretch-n-Grow program teaches preschool aged children to make healthy food choices and love exercise, starting at an early age. |
