If you are interested in our full day kindergarten program, please contact the directors or come to our open house. Class size will be small in order to facilitate learning and to allow for personalized attention. Children must be five years old on or before September 1st to qualify for kindergarten. Our pre-kindergarten class will be offered for those who miss the cutoff date. Our school year starts at the end of August and ends the last week of May. A non-refundable deposit of $75.00 will guarantee your space and will be applied to your child's book fee.

Kindergarten

Nothing prepares your child for success in elementary school like a strong kindergarten experience where academic and social development go hand-in-hand. A balance of individual attention with a strong emphasis on reading and math skills provides each child with a solid foundation for elementary school success. We communicate with you regularly about your child's experiences and progress through parent-teacher conferences, monthly newsletters, and ongoing progress reports.

Peppermint Stick full day Private Kindergarten offers your child a comprehensive, literacy-based, teacher-directed curriculum that prepares your child for elementary school.

Smaller class sizes and low student-to-teacher ratio emphasize a solid preparation in the fundamental academic skills of reading, phonics, writing, and mathematics.
Individualized Learning goals in reading and mathematics are developed for every child.
Enrichment activities are integrated into the daily program with child-initiated opportunities for learning and fun.
Character development, interpersonal skills, and life skills are taught with the same passion as academics.

Reading

The literacy-rich environment begins with phonetic awareness, moving toward conventional reading. With these skills, children have the foundation to begin reading text fluently with comprehension.

Key objectives are:

Reading for pleasure and information
Writing to communicate messages, thoughts, and ideas
Listening and following directions
Speaking confidently and effectively

Mathematics

Mathematical analysis and computation are at the core of the math program. Children use multiple tools and approaches to solve problems in meaningful ways using manipulatives, estimation, pictures, drawings and graphs, and algebraic thinking.

Key areas of study are:

Data and numbers
Addition and Subtraction facts
Measurements and Geometry
Place Value and Money

Science and Technology

As children explore the classroom and outdoor environments, they learn about science and technology and the role each plays in our lives.

The focus is on development and comprehension through:

Making observations and predictions
Exploring the world around us (recycling, conservation, life cycles of plants and animals)
Integrating technology skills into daily activities to learn basic keyboarding and computer skills to reinforce learning through individualized programs through educational software

Social Studies

Children develop a basic understanding of themselves and their place within their families, communities, and the world.

The program provides lessons in meaningful contexts such as:

Understanding the calendar (days and dates) and important holiday/cultural differences
Understanding that people use different languages to communicate
Knowledge of the globe, the United States, and the Pledge of Allegiance

Creative Arts & Expression

Children learn the basic principles of art that inspire them to express themselves. They work within a variety of mediums: watercolors, paints, chalk, and crayons.

Music

Our music program is celebrated each day at Peppermint Stick. Children are physically engaged in music, learning creative movement, instrument identification, and song.

Character Development

Children learn character traits through discussions, role-play and hands-on activities, children strengthen the basic values of honesty, fairness, and respect for others.

Physical Development and Health

Our physical development program provides experiences in games and sports that help to develop eye-hand coordination, body movement, and motor skills - emphasizing teamwork and learning rules.

Life Skills

Children learn the basic concepts of safety, nutrition, environmental health (recycling, conservation, etc.), and personal health.

Foreign Language

The Foreign Language program focuses on learning simple Spanish conversational phrases and vocabulary and an introduction to several other languages.

Round Lake Beach Center

1124 N. Cedar Lake Rd.
Round Lake Beach, IL 60073
847.546.1160 map it!

Grayslake Center

40 S. Whitney St.
Grayslake, IL 60030
847.223.0611 map it!

More Program Information...

Full and half-day kindergarten available