About Our School

Kids on the Hill offers the highest quality developmental preschool program that educates the whole child by incorporating the best ideas from a variety of early childhood philosophies. Jean Piaget and his developmental approach brings the idea that children learn through play and play is a child's work. Curriculum is centered around age appropriate activities that are success oriented and install a positive self-esteem. We borrow from the Montessori philosophy the emphasis on the importance of the development of the self in relationship to the family, friends and community. Rudolph Steiner in his Waldorf approach gives the importance of nature, simplicity and physical surroundings that inspire creativity. Kids on the Hill blends the family sytle philosophy, with grouping children by age, to target developmental needs. Care is given to promote awareness and responsibility for self, family, friends, community, the environment, different cultures and the development of character. Kids on the Hill supports the family unit and helps families meet the challenges of raising their children.

Curriculum

Our curriculum strives to foster the growth of each individual child's developmental milestones through inter-connective activities. A monthly theme, such as transportation or habitats, is used as a framework to organize a diverse curriculum that facilitates learning in the following areas:

• Large Motor Skills - Balancing, throwing balls, riding bikes, climbing, movement for body awareness
• Small Motor Skills - Puzzles, manipulatives, cutting, drawing, sewing
• Language Arts - Children's literature, puppet shows, storytelling, children's own stories, creative dramatics
• Art - Exploring as many creative mediums as possible, paint, collage, clay, textures, 3-dimensional
• Music - Songs, fingerplays, instruments, introducing a wide variety of music forms
• Cognitive Development - Concepts of learning: sequencing, classification, comprehension, relational concepts
• Science - Emphasis on natural sciences, care of the environment, hands on experimentation, gardening
• Life Skills - Sharing, cooperation, manners, following directions, self help

Daily Schedule

Each day the curriculum is balanced between teacher directed activities and child initiated activities. The teacher guides and introduces activities that may be new, opening doors of opportunity that have not been explored before. As an individual the child has the opportunity to choose, plan and indulge in his or her own powers of discovery.

8:00 - 8:30      Extended Preschool (Free Choice)
8:30 - 9:30      Discovery Time (Child directed choices)
9:30 - 9:40      Clean Up and Bathroom
9:40 - 10:00     Circle Time (Music and Theme Emphasis)
10:00 - 10:15    Snack (Conversation, Manners, Responsibility)
10:15 - 11:40    Small Group Time (Concept oriented, teacher directed)
11:40 - 12:00    Story time
12:00 - 12:15    Lunch
12:15 - 12:30    Preschool Pickup/Outside play
12:30 - 1:30     Nap or Rest/Quiet choice time
1:30 - 3:00      Afternoon Enrichment Program

Summer Program

Kids on the Hill also offers a summer program that is comprised of three-3 week sessions. It is an excellent opportunity for children starting in the fall to join the summer program for a gentle introduction to the teachers and the program. All new students are encouraged to attend at least one summer session. Returning students enjoy the continuity and interesting themes. Some of the most popular themes during summer have been: A Bug's Life, How Things Work, Wild, Wild West, How Does Your Garden Grow?, Around the World, My Big Back Yard.

Bible Story

The Spiritual self is formally enriched by optional Bible Story Classes offered one day per week through Hillside Church of Marin. The classroom encourages and recognizes the importance of a spiritual self by informally using mainstream books and songs that encourage positive values such as caring, sharing, generosity and kindness to all.