Junior Kindergarten

Wheeling Country Day School offers junior kindergarten​ for children four and five years old. Help your child develop early reading skills and build independence.

The nurturing, learning environment continues in the junior kindergarten classroom. The students’ activities and play enhance their socialization skills and continue to establish a familiar school routine. They learn basic concepts to build a background of reading readiness skills. Throughout the school year the children become more independent.

Wheeling Country Day School’s junior kindergarten program focuses on the child within the learner. It is an engaging centers-based curriculum that matches the way children develop and learn, meeting their personal learning needs in a hands-on and nurturing environment.

Children need time for fantasy and spontaneous play. Therefore, the classrooms invite pretending and storytelling, which provide the most fertile ground for language growth, both contextual and semantic.

In addition, the campus layout allows children to be active and to follow their natural sense of wonder. They play and learn in nature with found objects that inspire creativity.

Far from curriculum in a box, the program allows the teachers to take their cues from their students, and then actively guide and encourage their curiosity, intellectual strengths, and above-average skills.

Junior Kindergarten Schedule

  • Five Days

Junior Kindergarten Arrival & Dismissal

  • Arrival 8:20-8:40
  • Dismissal for Lunch Bunch 12:30
  • Dismissal for Extended Day 3:00

Focus on Literacy Development

Literacy development is a fundamental aspect of our Junior Kindergarten program each year. We dedicate ourselves to providing a rich reading environment where our students explore stories, discover new ideas, and develop their language skills. Through interactive discussions, we delve into concepts like consonant digraphs and letter sounds, empowering our students with foundational reading skills. By sparking their curiosity and love for literature, we nurture their lifelong passion for reading, enrich their vocabulary, and deepen their understanding of the world around them.

Promoting Creativity and Artistic Expression

The Junior Kindergarten class prioritize the promotion of creativity and artistic expression. Our students have the opportunity to engage in various art activities that encourage them to explore their imagination and showcase their unique talents. Collaborative projects provide a platform for teamwork and self-expression, leaving a lasting mark for future Junior Kindergarten classes. These activities ignite a sense of creativity, allowing our students to embrace their artistic abilities and express themselves confidently.

Hands-on Math Activities

At our Junior Kindergarten, math comes to life through hands-on activities that engage our students’ curiosity and critical thinking. Each year, we incorporate everyday objects and manipulatives to make math tangible and relatable. Our students use their fingers as tools for simple addition and subtraction, discovering the beauty of numbers through tactile experiences. Math centers offer opportunities for exploring patterns, constructing numbers with popsicle sticks, and engaging in interactive tasks like lacing beads to match numbers on rocks. Through these engaging activities, our students develop their mathematical skills while nurturing problem-solving abilities, spatial reasoning, and a love for mathematical thinking.

Integration of Music and Arts into the Curriculum

At our Junior Kindergarten, we believe in the power of integrating music and arts into our curriculum each year. Our students have the opportunity to experience performances and learn about different musical instruments and how they create beautiful harmonies.  By immersing our students in artistic experiences, we nurture their appreciation for music, theater, and the arts, fostering their creativity, imagination, and cultural understanding.

Nature Exploration and Scientific Inquiry

Nature exploration and scientific inquiry are integral components of our Junior Kindergarten curriculum, fostering a deep appreciation for the world around us each year. Our students embark on nature walks, observing the signs of spring and connecting their learning to the wonders of nature. In science class, they construct bird nests, gaining insight into the life cycle of birds and the importance of nurturing our environment. This hands-on approach cultivates their sense of wonder, curiosity, and scientific thinking. By engaging with the natural world, our students develop a lifelong connection to nature and an understanding of their role as caretakers of our planet.

Junior Kindergarten Teachers & Staff

Claire Norman

Junior Kindergarten & Playgroups Coordinator

Liz Hladek

Junior Kindergarten & Director of Early Childhood

Ronell Davis

Early Childhood

Before & Aftercare Programs

Our before and aftercare programs are designed to help the student and the parent. Drop your students off early or pick them up a bit later and feel comfortable knowing they are safe and still learning.

Tutoring & Multisensory Learning

Edge at Wheeling Country Day School is an on-campus instruction center for students with language-based learning differences. 

Senior Kindergarten

For students ready to graduate from Junior Kindergarten, Wheeling Country Day School offers Senior Kindergarten classes for five and six-year-olds.  

Frequently Asked Questions

What will my child learn in Junior Kindergarten?

In junior kindergarten, children will learn a variety of foundational skills and subjects. They will develop early literacy skills through reading, writing, and phonics. Basic math concepts, such as numbers, counting, and shapes, will be introduced. Kindergarteners will also work on social and emotional development, fine motor skills, basic science and social studies topics, physical activity, and creativity through arts and crafts. Kindergarten provides a well-rounded education, preparing children for future academic success and fostering their overall development.

How do you keep parents informed about their child's progress and development?

We believe in maintaining open lines of communication with parents. Throughout the year, we provide regular updates through newsletters, emails, and parent-teacher conferences. You will receive progress reports highlighting your child’s achievements, areas of growth, and any specific concerns. We also encourage parents to reach out to teachers for any questions or concerns, and we schedule periodic meetings to discuss your child’s development in more detail.

How do you support social and emotional development in junior kindergarteners?

Supporting social and emotional development in kindergarteners is a priority. Through various strategies, educators foster a positive and inclusive environment where children can develop important skills. This includes promoting social interactions through group activities and cooperative play, teaching empathy and conflict resolution techniques, providing opportunities for self-expression and emotional regulation, incorporating mindfulness and relaxation exercises, and nurturing a supportive teacher-student relationship. Additionally, educators work closely with parents to ensure consistent support and create a strong partnership in fostering the social and emotional growth of kindergarteners.

How will you ensure my child's safety and well-being during school hours?

The safety and well-being of your child are our top priorities. Our kindergarteners follows strict safety protocols, including secure access to the premises, trained staff for supervision, and age-appropriate safety measures. We maintain a clean and hygienic environment, conduct regular safety drills, and have a designated first-aid trained staff member. Additionally, we have clear procedures for drop-off and pick-up to ensure that your child is always in a safe and supervised setting.

Application

Apply Now

Applying online is easy with WCDS. Complete and submit your online application. This application confirms your interest and prompts the school’s consideration of your child. You can download and submit the records release form if your child currently attends kindergarten or above. 

Schedule Your Visit

Schedule Now

The school takes great pride in the fact that the Head of School meets with each family to engage in a mission/philosophy conversation. Admissions Events offer this group opportunity or you can contact the Admissions Office for special arrangements. 

Experience WCDS by coming to the campus for an age-appropriate visit with faculty and peers. 

Diversity Statement

Learn More

WCDS seeks to purposefully build an environment that reflects and honors diversity. We honor the dignity of every human being, and we respect and value differences including but not limited to socioeconomics, race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, culture, sexual orientation, gender identity, and family composition. Our community is committed to ongoing dialogue, education, and reflection to develop understanding and inclusion of every member.

Experience WCDS

Schedule a School Tour or Classroom Visit

Observe our curious and engaged students and teachers in their classrooms and throughout our spacious campus with its grass playing field, classroom courtyard, and outdoor amphitheater. Sit in on classes that give great attention to a curriculum that matches the optimum times for learning within a child’s first ten years.

Upcoming Early Childhood Admission Events

11Jan

Prospective Family Day (PS-5th)

9:30 am - 11:00 am8 Park Road
21Jan

Reimagine Middle School – Prospective Family Day

6:00 pm - 8:00 pmWheeling Park Campus