balanced curriculum
supportive classroom environment
ensuring school readiness
kindergarten prep
Our K-prep program empowers children to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally as they transition to the next stage of their educational journey.
First Circle’s kindergarten prep program (K-prep) is designed for older preschool learners, age 5 by January 1st, or for those children with summer birthdays who would technically make the kindergarten cutoff but might not be ready.
Also known as transitional kindergarten, K-prep provides children with a solid foundation for the academic and social demands of elementary school.
While First Circle’s preschool and prekindergarten programs are primarily play-based, K-prep offers a more academically focused approach for those demonstrating readiness. With individualized support for each child’s learning needs, children graduating from the K-prep program can, based on age, go on to kindergarten or first grade.
PRIMARY LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
To prepare children academically and socially for success in elementary school
Academically
- children enhance letter recognition and their sounds
- count and compare numbers
- and engage in basic writing and drawing activities.
Socially
- children hone the skills necessary to collaborate with peers
- follow classroom routines
- and communicate effectively with adults
Emotionally
- children continue to learn to identify and express their feelings
- regulate their emotions
- and demonstrate empathy and kindness towards others.
our program
me + you
social + emotionalK-prep fosters social-emotional development by promoting positive peer interactions, emotional regulation, and problem-solving skills. Children participate in group activities, collaborative projects, and guided discussions to enhance their social skills and build friendships. Additionally, K-prep emphasizes the importance of independence, self-help skills, and following routines. With First Circle’s unique MyCharacter program, children work on leadership skills and character traits such as self-management, resilience, responsibility, and integrity through structured activities, social interactions, and positive role modeling from teachers.
brain power
math, science, approaches to learning, engineering
healthy me
fine + gross motor skillsK-prep focuses on refining motor skills to support overall physical growth and school readiness. Fine motor goals involve strengthening hand muscles and improving hand-eye coordination and dexterity. Children use tasks such as threading beads, using scissors, drawing shapes, and manipulating small objects to refine their fine motor skills. Gross motor objectives promote balance, coordination, and spatial awareness through active play and movement. Children run, jump, climb, and balance on our outdoor and indoor playgrounds, contributing to their physical development and readiness for the more structured elementary school environment.
wordsmart
literacy + writingLiteracy goals in K-prep are enhanced by daily lessons from the Heggerty Phonemic Awareness program, which focuses on developing phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and comprehension through storytelling, rhyming games, and word recognition activities. Writing objectives focus on building fine motor skills, letter formation, and basic sentence structure. Learning activities include reading aloud, identifying letters and sounds, practicing writing letters and simple words, weekly visits to First Circle’s in-house library (ready September 2024), and creating stories or journal entries. These activities promote language development, literacy engagement, and foundational writing skills necessary for success in kindergarten and beyond.
imagine that
creative artsLearning activities—such as painting, drawing, sculpting, and collage-making—foster children’s imagination, self-expression, and social skills. Through dramatic play, children explore different roles, scenarios, and narratives, allowing them to express emotions, problem-solve, and develop empathy. Teachers encourage storytelling, puppetry, role-playing, and performance to enhance children’s artistic abilities and promote language development, social interaction, and emotional regulation.
meet our teachers
IN LEXINGTON
IN FRAMINGHAM
IN STOUGHTON
IN NEEDHAM
daily schedule
A typical day in our K-prep program balances structured learning, free play, outdoor exploration, and midday quiet time. Mornings begin with circle time, where children engage in songs, stories, and group discussions to develop language skills and build community. Throughout the day, children rotate through various learning centers, such as literacy centers, math manipulatives, art activities, and sensory play areas, allowing for hands-on exploration and individualized learning experiences. Outdoor playtime provides opportunities for gross motor development, while quiet time lets children recharge and rest.
details
- You may choose a combination of school and full days. Needham only
- SCHOOL DAY: Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
- FULL DAY: 7:30 a.m.–6:00 p.m.
assessment
Children are assessed twice yearly through our research- and evidence-based assessment tool. The assessment offers a comprehensive view of each child’s current progress, facilitating collaboration between teachers and parents to set future learning objectives. Teachers use iPads to document daily observations, including photos and notes, creating a digital portfolio of each child’s journey at First Circle. Teachers schedule biannual parent-teacher conferences to set goals and review progress.
HOW DO I DECIDE WHAT’S RIGHT FOR MY CHILD?
When deciding between prekindergarten and K-prep, consider your child’s readiness and educational goals. Both options provide valuable learning experiences tailored to children’s needs and build readiness skills for the next step—whether that’s K-prep, kindergarten, or first grade.
prekindergarten
offers a play-based environment for younger children, fostering socialization and basic skills
- if your child would benefit from a more exploratory approach that is less academically rigorous.
k-prep
serves as a bridge to formal schooling, focusing on literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional development
- if your child has already been through prekindergarten
- is near or at kindergarten age but isn’t ready socially, emotionally, or academically for the rigors of full-day kindergarten
- if your child is ready for kindergarten, but has a sibling at First Circle or you need the option of full-day care.
Book A Tour
In Needham, school starts September 10 and runs through June 20th, with the option of summer camp throughout the summer, and follows First Circle’s holiday schedule.