Curriculum | Infants | Toddlers | Preschoolers | 4yrs/Pre-K | School Age
Each child is unique. At OPA, our programs are designed with flexibility to support children’s individual rates of development and styles of learning. We provide an atmosphere where each child feels secure in their environment and loved by all.
Learning happens naturally through play. Play for young children involves interacting with people, manipulating objects and making discoveries in the world around them. This type of learning is developmentally appropriate for children ages infants through four years.
Our programs promote play and focus on developmental skills such as:
Physical Development
Large Muscles – crawling, walking, running, and dancing are all activities that take place in the indoor and outdoor environment. Small muscle development occurs using our hands and fingers to feed ourselves, color, paint and sing songs.
Emotional and Social Development
Children learn how to express themselves, gain self-control and how to relate to others. They develop special relationships with their peers and caregivers.
Language and Literacy Development
Beginning with sounds, gestures, words and eventually reading and writing, children will learn how to communicate with others.
Cognitive Development
Children use their mind to explore and investigate the world around them. Problem solving skills and reasoning form the basis for early mathematical and scientific thinking.
Curriculum
Oconee Preschool Academy is excited to implement our new curriculum beginning with the 2020-2021 school year. Frog Street programs offer developmental and learning continuums that allow children to build on previously mastered skills to more readily achieve new skills in a seamless and continuous way.
Frog Street’s Early Childhood Programs are built on four key cornerstones:
- Early Brain Development Research
- Intentional Instruction
- Developmental Learning Domains
- Social and Emotional Development Emphasis
Frog Street programs are aligned with the Georgia Early Learning & Development Standards (GELDS). The GELDS promote quality learning experiences for children and address the question, “What should children from birth to age five know and be able to do?” They are a set of appropriate, attainable standards that are flexible enough to support children’s individual rates of development, approaches to learning, and cultural context.
The GELDS are a continuum of skills, behaviors, and concepts that children develop throughout this time of life. They are divided into age groups and serve as a framework for learning. The GELDS are aligned with the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE) for K-12, and the Work Sampling System.
“What you teach me birth to three will be what matters most to me. What you teach me tree to five will be what makes me grow and thrive.”
-Dr. Pam Schiller, Senior Author Frog Street
Classroom Environment
- Developmental equipment in a colorful, multi-sensory environment designed for all stages of infancy
- Separate sleeping and play areas
- Individual schedules to meet the changing developmental needs of your infant
Communication
- Teachers develop a partnership with your family
- Use of mobile app provides real time information about your child’s day. This information includes meals, naps, diapering as well as important information about developmental milestones and achievements
Curriculum
- Frog Street Infants (0-18 months)
- Uses latest early brain research
- Child-centered intentional activities
- Individualized learning plans
Toddler Programs
1 – 2 Years
Toddlers are avid learners who are eager to explore, try new things, and practice new skills. Our goal at OPA is to foster and enhance toddlers’ learning experiences. This happens with a developmentally appropriate classroom with teachers who are knowledgeable about the energetic children they care for.
Classroom Environment
- Focus on the physical development with both gross and fine motor activities
- Responsive environment to help build confidence, learn impulse control and develop social skills
- Interest areas set up to encourage children to engage in a variety of activities and explore independently
Communication
- A partnership between families and care givers ensure the needs of each child is met, providing support for children and families in the classroom and in their home environment
- Use of mobile app provides real time information about your child’s day. This information includes meals, naps, diapering as well as important information about developmental milestones and achievements
Curriculum
- Frog Street Toddler (18 – 36 months)
- Thematic units with intentional, child-centered activities
- Language rich environment
- Comprehensive social-emotional component using Conscious Discipline
Preschool Programs
3 – 4 Years
Three year olds are rapidly developing and have unique characteristics, needs and developmental milestones. They are beginning to transition from parallel play to interactive play. Our preschool teachers are dedicated to meeting the needs of each individual child while providing a safe, educational and nurturing environment.
Classroom Environment
- Interest centers that promote creativity and independence
- Balance of child initiated and teacher directed activities
- Focus on social, emotional skills and support
Communication
- Use of mobile app provides real time information about your child’s day. This information includes meals, naps, toileting as well as important information about developmental milestones and achievements
- Conferences to discuss child’s progress and review assessments
- A partnership is established with teachers and families to support children and bridge the home to school environment
Curriculum
- Frog Street Threes (36 -48 months)
- Meets the specific needs of three-year-olds in key areas of development:
Social Bridge, Literacy Development & Foundational Math - Social & emotional emphasis with Dr. Becky Bailey’s Conscious Discipline
- Aligns with Georgia Early Learning Standards (GELDS)
Georgia Pre-K Programs
Georgia’s Pre-K Program is a lottery funded educational program for Georgia’s four year olds to prepare children for Kindergarten. OPA is a proud provider of four Georgia Pre-K classes, with two classes located at each of our Watkinsville locations.
Our goal of kindergarten preparedness is evident throughout your child’s day. Our experienced teachers provide a challenging program with a balance of child initiated and teacher directed activities to foster success and a lifelong love of learning. We encourage independence while providing the loving support that each child needs.
We welcome children of all abilities to our programs. OPA is excited to partner with the Oconee County School System to offer an Inclusive Pre-K Classroom at our Mars Hill location. With a reduced class size and support teachers, children with IEP’s are given priority registration to this program. Please contact Nikki Wright at nikki@oconeepreschool.com for more information.
Frog Street Excel Pre-K is a high quality, research-based curriculum organized into nine themes that build connections across all domains. OPA implemented this curriculum for the 2020-2021 school year. It aligns with the Georgia Early Learning Standards (GELDS) and has a strong foundation in Math & Literacy. Using Conscious Discipline, Excel Pre-K provides support in the way of classroom management and social-emotional skills that teach children how to manage their emotions and navigate social interactions.
After-School Program
- Transportation from Oconee County Schools
- Homework time with teacher assistance
- Computers
- Arts & Crafts
- Large, spacious playgrounds with playscapes, swings and basketball court
- School closure & Holiday camps
Summer Program
- Fun & education field trips
- On-site swimming pools with certified lifeguard
- Sports, games, movies
- Arts & Crafts
- Flexible weekly enrollment (must meet minimum requirements)
