SZPA PRE KG BOOKLET ENGLISH

The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy

Pre-KG Programme

Pre-KG Programme

1

About our Program The Curriculum At The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy, we follow the Westford Standards from the board of Massachusetts curriculum. We follow a play-based model which provides children with opportunities to engage in purposeful play in well-developed learning environments, both indoors and outside the classroom. We use technology to enhance learning.

There are 7 areas of learning:

Language Arts & Literacy Communication & Language

Social Studies

SZPA Early Years Curriculum

Math

Fine Motor Development

2

The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy

Science

Gross Motor Development

Pre-KG Programme

3

Rewards In Early Childhood, we work in close partnership with our children and their parents to prepare children to take responsibility for their own choices and behavior. We believe that parents play a crucial part in supporting good behavior in school and we welcome and value your support in setting high expectations for your child. We do not use traditional rewards system as we believe good behavior should be intrinsic for your child. We have a reward assembly once a week where the children are able to participate.

Communication In KG, we value communication with parents. Each family will be given a username and password to the platform, SeeSaw, where teachers will post information to parents outlining what has been learned during the week, messages are also sent between parents and teachers, pictures of special events will be posted and a calendar of important dates will be shared. If parents have questions or concerns that need to be addressed the homeroom teacher is the first person of contact and she will be happy to meet with you.

4

The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy

Pre-KG Programme

5

Snacks At The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy, we have a healthy eating policy to encourage our children to adopt a similar lifestyle for life.

We encourage children to eat a healthy snack consisting of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, yoghurts, etc. Children should have a snack sent to school each day, as well as a bottle of water labelled with his or her name. We ask parents not to send sweets or cake to school, even in the event of a birthday or celebration. Nuts in any form are strictly prohibited to a serious allergy within the school.

Preparing your Child to Start School

Uniforms Buses At The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy, we utilize a fleet of buses which provide a safe and reliable service to our Kindergarten children. In KG, children are hand-delivered to class by their bus monitor and taken by our learning assistants to their bus at the end of the day. Children are required to wear safety belts whilst on board the bus and are supervised by bus monitors to ensure their safety until they arrive home.

6

The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy

The KG uniform consist of a white polo shirt with The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy crest, green pinafore or trousers and black Velcro of buckle shoes.

On PE days, KG students come to school in their PE kit with white Velcro sports shoes with non-marking soles. Girls› hair must be tied back and off the face with black, white, red, green or navy hair accessories. Hats are required for outdoor play.

PE days will be provided by the teachers at the start of the year.

Pre-KG Programme

7

Parent Preparations Complete all the necessary paperwork accurately and honestly.

We need to know about any medical issues or concerns.

Drive past the school and show your child this is where they will be attending.

Attend any events the school may be holding.

Check what time school starts and finishes on the first day and where to take your child.

Ensure you pick them up exactly on time. This will help alleviate your child’s stress about not being picked up.

Purchase school uniform well in advance.

Label all your child’s belongings (bag, jacket, water bottle, extra change of clothes, etc.)

Purchase shoes with Velcro so your child can put them on and off independently.

For more information: Helping Your Child Adjust To School

Toileting Independent toileting is an important development milestone in any child’s life. In Kindergarten, we promote toileting independence and require that children be able to go to the toilet and clean themselves prior to entering school. As children work towards compete independence, children will sometimes have an accident.

For this reason we ask that parents send a spare change of shirt, trousers, underwear, socks and a plastic bag to ensure that the child can remain clean and dry.

8

The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy

Pre-KG Programme

9

Self-Care Make sure that your child is fully toilet trained. This means they are independent and confident when using the toilet and washing their hands. Provide a change of clothes in case they have an accident in school.

Encourage your child’s independence and self-help skills e.g. dressing, undressing, putting on and taking off their shoes.

Make sure that they can pack and unpack their school bag, unwrap their food, open and close their drinks bottle.

Preparing your Child for Starting School Preparing Your Child Emotionally It is normal for the parents and their child to feel anxious about starting school. Here are some tips to help to help prepare yourself and your child for this next adventure in their life.

Provide your child with a snack in the morning consisting of fruit and vegetables.

Ask the school simple questions about the school day and what sorts of things your child will be doing in the settling in period so you can talk to your child and know how to prepare them.

Provide your child with food high in nutrients, to help their brains learn.

Be positive about starting school and enjoy your child’s excitement. Be positive about your own school experiences.

Please do not send your child to school with fried or take away food, nuts, chocolate or candies. Establish routines for dinner, bath time and bedtime. Three-year old children need about 11-13 hours of sleep each night.

Ask your child about the things they are looking forward to when starting school or what might be worrying them.

Links To Support: Life Skills For Your Pre-schooler , Brain Boosting Foods For Kids

Make sure your child is used to separating from you in the house. Once they achieve this then leave your child with a responsible adult. This will allow your child to practice separating from you and will give them reassurance that you will always return.

Talk your child through what is going to happen in the first few days of school. (They will come to the classroom with you, they will play with friends while you go for a little bit, then you will return to pick them up.) Mention the teacher’s name when talking to your child.

Develop a consistent routine for saying good-bye.

Always say goodbye, do not leave your child without letting them know that you are going and will be back later.

10

The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy

Pre-KG Programme

11

At Home Develop a getting up early and early bedtime routine before the start of the term.

Ensure your child stops using iPads or watching television at least 1 hour before to help them be able to fall asleep and sleep deeply.

Have a consistent bedtime routine and ensure your child is in bed early.

If your child gets up once you have put them to bed, take them back and leave a night light on and some picture books for them to look at.

Phase out any afternoon naps your child has so they are not exhausted by the tranisiton to school.

Have fun with your child.

Spend time together playing, singing songs, and sharing books.

Read books with your child about starting school.

Help develop their gross and fine motor skills through games and playing in the park.

Teach them to tidy up after themselves and be more independent around the house.

Links To Support:

Screen Time & Sleep For Children, Books To Read Your Child About Starting School

Getting Used to the Uniform The school uniform is important as it gives your child the sense of belonging to a specific group.

Purchase your uniform from our school shop and send photographs of your child in it to family and friends.

Allow your child to try on their uniform to show family and friends in person or over Zoom.

Purchase a small backpack so they can independently carry their bag (trolley bags are not allowed).

The First Day Take your child to class, speak to the teacher and learning assistant.

Help them find where to store their bag and self-register.

When they are settled say goodbye, if they don’t want you to leave, don’t prolong the process.

If you are upset, come round to our reception area and a member of staff will be available.

Please do not return to the classroom, a member of our team will check on your child for you.

In partnership with the school, we can offer your child a gradual start including shorter days if it will benefit them, remember every child is unique.

Links To Support:

How To Make Saying Goodbye Easier For You And Your Child, What To Do If Your Child Cries At Drop Off

12

The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy

Pre-KG Programme

13

www.szpag.com 14

The Sheikh Zayed Private Academy