Research-Based. Hands-On Learning. Faith-Filled.
our Teaching Philosophy:
Building Strong Foundations through Faith, Play, and Purpose
At Charity Preschool & Kindergarten, children learn through purposeful play, caring relationships, and rich learning experiences. Our classrooms are filled with art, music, conversation, and nature, not screens. We follow a strong, research-based curriculum that supports each child’s growth—spiritually, academically, and socially.
Curriculum Aligned with Virginia’s Standards and Your Child’s Needs
|
Heggerty Phonemic Awareness
Through short, engaging daily lessons, children build the listening and sound awareness skills that form the foundation for reading. Heggerty helps children learn how to play with sounds, recognize patterns in words, and grow confident as early readers. STREAMin3 (Ages 2–3) This state-supported curriculum focuses on whole-child development through hands-on activities in Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art, and Math. STREAMin3 encourages curiosity, cooperation, and problem-solving—all through meaningful play. Play to Learn (3-Year-Olds) This approach gives three-year-olds the chance to learn through exploration, pretend play, and creative experiences. With gentle routines and age-appropriate expectations, Play to Learn supports language growth, independence, and social development |
|
Little Minds at Work – Pre-K Edition
Our Pre-K program introduces children to early reading, math, and science concepts in a way that feels playful and exciting. Using Little Minds at Work, children build phonemic awareness, recognize letters and sounds, explore numbers and patterns, and engage in early writing. Each day includes small-group instruction, hands-on centers, and language-rich activities that prepare children for kindergarten success—without losing the joy of learning. Little Minds at Work – Kindergarten Edition Our kindergarten program uses Little Minds at Work to provide explicit, systematic instruction in phonics, phonemic awareness, vocabulary, and comprehension, all grounded in the Science of Reading. Children build early reading and writing skills through shared writing, hands-on word work, and small-group instruction. Math lessons introduce hands-on foundational concepts like number sense, addition, subtraction, and problem-solving. Students also explore science and social studies through interactive units, journaling, and creative projects. Our kindergarten classroom blends strong academics with purposeful play, faith-based values, and a nurturing, community-centered environment. Faith-Based Each day includes moments of prayer, kindness, and reflection centered on the teachings of Jesus. We share Bible stories that help children understand who Jesus is—His love, compassion, forgiveness, and truth. Through worship songs, daily conversations, and monthly chapel time, children are reminded that they are deeply loved, created with purpose, and invited to walk in God’s grace. Our goal is to help every child know they have a special place in God’s family. |
|
Every element of our program—literacy, math, science, play, and faith—is designed with your child’s full growth in mind.
How We Track Growth
At Charity Preschool & Kindergarten, we don’t just watch your child grow—we intentionally support their progress through tools that help us understand and meet their needs. We believe in looking at the whole child, not just academic milestones.
ASQ-3 & ASQ:SE
We use the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE) to screen and support your child’s development. These nationally trusted tools help us track communication, motor skills, problem-solving, and social-emotional growth. We partner with families to make sure every child is seen, supported, and celebrated.
LENA (New this Year!)
LENA helps us strengthen early language development by measuring how often children hear and engage in conversation throughout the day. While new to our program, we’re excited to use this research-backed tool to create even richer, more responsive classroom environments.
CLASS Observations
Our director is a Certified CLASS Observer, trained to assess the quality of teacher-child interactions—one of the strongest predictors of early learning success. These observations help us ensure warm relationships, engaging instruction, and emotional support are always present in our classrooms.
Progress Reports
Twice a year, you’ll receive a detailed report highlighting your child’s growth—not only in academic areas, but in social development, classroom participation, and learning habits. These reports are paired with parent conferences so we can partner together in your child’s journey.
Kindergarten families also receive a more formal report card that tracks attendance and progress toward Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOLs), helping ensure a smooth and confident transition to first grade.
ASQ-3 & ASQ:SE
We use the Ages & Stages Questionnaires (ASQ-3 and ASQ:SE) to screen and support your child’s development. These nationally trusted tools help us track communication, motor skills, problem-solving, and social-emotional growth. We partner with families to make sure every child is seen, supported, and celebrated.
LENA (New this Year!)
LENA helps us strengthen early language development by measuring how often children hear and engage in conversation throughout the day. While new to our program, we’re excited to use this research-backed tool to create even richer, more responsive classroom environments.
CLASS Observations
Our director is a Certified CLASS Observer, trained to assess the quality of teacher-child interactions—one of the strongest predictors of early learning success. These observations help us ensure warm relationships, engaging instruction, and emotional support are always present in our classrooms.
Progress Reports
Twice a year, you’ll receive a detailed report highlighting your child’s growth—not only in academic areas, but in social development, classroom participation, and learning habits. These reports are paired with parent conferences so we can partner together in your child’s journey.
Kindergarten families also receive a more formal report card that tracks attendance and progress toward Virginia’s Standards of Learning (SOLs), helping ensure a smooth and confident transition to first grade.