Our Pre-K program is specifically designed to fully prepare your child for Kindergarten and future academic learning.

DLM Early Childhood Express

Classroom activities follow our curriculum DLM Early Childhood Express… with an emphasis on letters, numbers, shapes, colors, language, writing and reading skills. Classrooms are set up in learning centers and activities are teacher directed but they still allow the flexibility for the children to independently explore areas of interest.

This unique environment will help children develop intellectually, emotionally, socially and physically, while also enhancing their self-confidence that will prepare them for Kindergarten.

Handwriting Without Tears

The goal of Handwriting Without Tears is to make a legible and fluent handwriting an easy and automatic skill for all students. The curriculum uses multi-sensory techniques and consistent habits for letter formation to teach handwriting to all students in Pre-K. In addition, HWT provides parents and teachers the instructional techniques and activities to help improve a child’s self-confidence, pencil grip, body awareness, posture and so much more! In addition, this program has been adopted by the Tennessee State Textbook Commission. For more information, feel free to visit their website, www.hwtears.com.

Growing With Mathematics

Our Pre-K and Kindergarten students participate in this core math program that addresses the NCTM content and process standards. It carefully guides students from their own language to mathematical and symbolic language. Lessons are designed to develop number sense and computational fluency as students explore a range of strategies for problem solving.. Growing with Mathematics is recognized by the National Science Foundation as a research-based mathematics curriculum and by the U.S. Department of Education as a promising program.

Computer Lab
Computers are a focal point for academic learning and exploration. Interaction with the computer will provide the children with positive rewards for their skills. By using the computer, the children will be involved in reading, spelling, exercising simple mathematics, and learning a basic introduction to the computer. By the time the children leave The Gardner School, computers will be second nature to them. This learn through play program will be offered to children ages three and older.

Enrichment Program
“We believe that it is essential to expose your child to the Arts, therefore we offer a full suite of supplemental classes that consist of Dance, Karate, Gymnastics, Sport Skills, Foreign Language, Music, Drama and Be Smart Kids Computer based instructional class. Our Enrichment teachers are specially trained in these different disciplines and you will be amazed by how much your child will learn and how much fun they will have doing so. These supplemental classes are available to children ages 2 to 5 year olds.”

Observation and Progress Reports
Parent–Teacher Conferences are held twice during the school year. During these conferences, developmental progress reports are discussed as well as a review of your child’s portfolio. This process enables you to understand your child’s accomplishments and assists the teacher in making the necessary adjustments in the classroom to meet your child’s needs. This observation and progress reporting program will help you and your child achieve a smooth transition into the next stage of their education.