A Message from Bonita Lea, Director of Preschool

At first glance it is likely that you will see a Preschool that looks like any other Preschool. Once inside you realize Browne Academy is unique. It is a special place and you can see it in the eyes of the children. We have designed the Preschool ‘adventure’ at Browne Academy just for them.

Our Preschool program, which begins at age three is the seed of our K-8 program. In Preschool, learning occurs in a gentle, natural and fun manner. Our teachers are careful observers, determining each child’s learning style and unique abilities, and adapting the program to meet specific needs of individuals or the group.

Not all children share the same learning styles, and they interpret the world around them in many different, unique ways. It is our challenge as teachers, as well as our reward, to help guide each child through the process of becoming acclimated to the school environment and discovering the means by which they gather knowledge.

While much of the emphasis in the Preschool program is focused on setting a basic foundation for future academic success, including developing strong social skills and understanding how to respect classroom rules and routines, there is a strong academic component as well. The Preschool program provides a print rich environment, integration of all disciplines, hands-on learning, and discovery of social and educational core concepts. Yet each student learns at his or her own pace and is encouraged to make new discoveries every day.

Children work daily with computers and study French frequently. We introduce our youngest students to all the subjects in our Lower School and Middle School core curriculum - including Art, Music, Library, and P.E. - through specialists’ instruction, structured learning and play activities.

In addition, Browne’s Preschool children go on numerous field trips throughout the school year that extend learning, and we also have many holiday shows and celebrations that encourage parent and family involvement.

Good, open and honest communication between teachers and parents is crucial to success, and we take it very seriously.

Preschool faculty strive to keep parents up-to-date on everything that is happening in the classroom. All of the Preschool classes offer more detailed information about classroom happenings, either in the form of weekly newsletters, monthly calendars or reports in This Week at Browne. Parent-Teacher Conferences are scheduled twice per year, and we also encourage parents to contact teachers any time there is a question or concern. Teachers pride themselves on being easily accessible, and there are telephones in each classroom as well as computers where they can check email messages.

At Browne, we believe the Preschool experience is most certainly a journey, not a race - a journey that will begin to develop in each child the inquisitiveness and confidence that will hold him or her in good stead through a lifetime of learning.