Preschool
Four and Five-Year-Old Program
Poko Loko offers full and part-time Preschool programs for our four and five-year-olds. Ratios are kept low, one teacher per ten children. All meals are provided including breakfast, lunch, and two nutritious snacks. Our four and five-year-old program is very structured, adding developmentally appropriate workbooks to help expand basic skills and concepts. Our theme-based daily curriculum will include stories, singing, creative art, letters, numbers, months, picture cards, writing, colors, and shapes. Monthly field trips as well as special musical and artistic performances are also included in our four and five-year-old curriculum.
Daily Schedule
Half-day hours include 6:30 a.m.–12 noon; Full-day hours include 6:30 a.m.–6:00 pm
Early Morning—Student Arrival
(6:30 a.m.– 9:00 a.m.)
As parents drop off their child, a warm welcome awaits. Four and five-year-olds are free to explore and interact with the different areas of enrichment that each classroom offers including computer skills. Cereal and milk will be offered at 7:30 a.m. for breakfast.
Structured Learning
(9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.)
Our preschool program begins each day with circle time. Children are acclimated to a certain daily routine and are expected to participate in all activities. These activities will include daily art projects, workbook pages, reciting the alphabet, months of the year, days of the week, and counting 1-50. Every morning ends again with circle time and a special theme related story from the teacher. Every morning, a healthy snack is offered and outdoor playtime is allotted.
Afternoon
(11:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.)
As noon approaches, the children grow hungry and tired. Our in house chef always prepares a meal that is both balanced and nutritious. After lunch, our four and five-year-olds nap on their individual cots for 2 hours.
Late Afternoon—Parent Pick Up
(2:30 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
Every afternoon will begin with another healthy snack. Now that your child is older, we will reinforce our daily curriculum with an afternoon worksheet. When completed, the room is opened up to free play and social time. Outdoor play time is also available until your child is picked up.
Our Space
-
Libertyville Playground #3 -
Libertyville Preschool #1 -
Libertyville Preschool #2 -
Libertyville Playground #1 -
Libertyville Playground #2
Information
-
Our ratio for four and five-year-olds is one teacher per ten children.
-
Periodically throughout the year children will move up to an older room. The children are usually eager for this move because they are going to a new room that is stimulating and exciting. Their curriculum is getting more challenging, and they will be encouraged to learn and try new things. To help with this change, Poko Loko will let the child visit the new room before she moves. Parents will also be informed of this move.
-
Our children take their naps on cots. Each child has his own cot with a blanket and sheet that is washed at least once a week.
-
Our children ages three and up do not go home with information sheets about their individual days. Parents are encouraged to talk to their child’s teacher about their child’s day. If there is a special concern such as potty training, parents should consult with the teacher about any information they would like to have tracked during the day.
-
As four and five-year-olds, the children are introduced to a preschool schedule that is modified to be appropriate for their young age. Every morning the children have their preschool activities; these include story time, circle time, music time, etc. Each child also completes a project; the projects include finger painting, easel painting, bingo markers, coloring, etc. Throughout the day, the children have structured play times; activities during these times include playing with small manipulatives, large manipulatives, dramatic play, reading books, etc. The children eat breakfast, two snacks, and lunch together, and they all nap at the same time. Every month the parents receive the curriculum that their child’s class is following. The curriculum includes the special subjects the children are learning and any special projects they will complete as well as our special songs, books, and activities.
-
Poko Loko provides cereal and milk for breakfast for children who are at the center by 7:30 a.m. The children are fed a snack at about 10:00 a.m. and then again after naptime. Snacks may include fresh fruit, yogurt, cheese and crackers, etc., and milk or juice. Children are served a hot, nutritious, delicious lunch every day. Parents may take a copy of our monthly menu to see what we are serving. Please let your child’s teacher know if there is anything your child cannot have.
-
Please leave a weather-appropriate outfit at the center in case we have to change your child for any reason. If your child has a special blanket that comforts him at naptime, please feel free to leave that with us also. Please label your child’s clothes and special articles with his name.
