Transitional Kindergarten
Barnhart's TK program cultivates a student-centered environment that encourages children to learn through experience, exploration, and self-expression. We believe children are innately curious and capable of initiating their own learning. Our TK program is available to students turning 4 years old by September, and to students turning 5 between October 1st - December 2nd.
Our Approach
At Barnhart, our children develop core values such as compassion, responsibility, and empathy in an environment centered on social and emotional development. In our many years of experience in ECE, we’ve come to understand that these early years are the most crucial formative years for every child.
Key Points:
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Students must be 4 by September 1, 2025
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Transitional Kindergarten will be held Monday-Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
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Designed for students who would benefit from one more year of preschool experience before entering Kindergarten.
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Our TK class is led by experienced, certified, and dedicated educators who specialize in early childhood education and are trained in differentiating instruction to the unique needs of young children.
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The curriculum is age-appropriate and aligned with the California Preschool Learning Foundations, focusing on early literacy, numeracy, language development, social-emotional development, and critical thinking skills.
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Children have the same resources as our elementary students. Early exposure to Music, P.E., MakerSpace, Library, Mandarin, and Spanish language development makes for a seamless transition to our elementary school program.
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Teachers use Positive Discipline techniques to model and guide positive behaviors.
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Class sizes will be kept small to ensure personalized attention and a nurturing, caring learning environment.
Philosophy
Guidance: Childhood begins with curiosity and exploration. Our students are valued, heard, seen, and supported with positive affirmation. Each child is recognized and celebrated for their unique talents and gifts. Our students gain a sense of comfort and belonging at school as they are nurtured and loved by experienced, equipped, and caring educators who guide and facilitate their learning.
Safety: Routine is important for each child’s development. Our teachers plan and facilitate a love for learning through a play-based curriculum and social experiences appropriate to the children's age and stage of development. Children learn to advocate respectfully for themselves and others, negotiate, compromise, and make their voices heard. By providing security, safety, and stability, children build confidence.
Discovery: Explorations in language, literacy, science, math, STEAM, cooking, music, dramatic play, and art are strategically embedded into our curriculum. Learning becomes a daily adventure as children engage with stories, drawing, clay, science, building, creating, experimenting, songs, and free exploration inside and outside the classroom.
Collaboration: Through project-based learning, teachers create a focal point of study around the children’s interests. Asking the children to help direct the course of learning allows them to feel heard and respected and encourages their sense of self-worth. Our teachers encourage students to collaborate and work together by using dialogue, negotiation, and respect.
Growth: As children make their way through our program, they slowly transition from the early stages of child development to being socially, emotionally, and academically prepared for our Kindergarten environment. We work hand-in-hand with our Kindergarten teacher to ensure Kindergarten readiness.
Reggio-Inspired Learning & PBL
Our Transitional Kindergarten program incorporates a curriculum inspired by Reggio Emilia practices and dedicated to the students’ interests. Those interests are explored through Project-Based Learning, including music & movement, exposure to Spanish and Mandarin languages, outdoor exploration, stories, dramatic play, sensory play, and more.
Expected Learning Results
Our students develop competence and confidence in the following early childhood domains:
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Gross Motor Skills
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Fine Motor Skills
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Language Skills
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Logic and Reasoning Skills
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Critical Thinking Skills
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Social-Emotional Skills
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Self-help and Adaptive Skills
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Citizenship and Values
