LOWER SCHOOL

Early Childhood

Lower School

Welcome

Early Childhood

Elementary Program

Learning and Outcomes

Bridgehampton Campus

After School

Faculty

Ross School’s Early Childhood program helps foster a love of learning in our youngest students through hands-on learning in a warm and supportive environment.

NURSERY AND PRE–KINDERGARTEN

The Ross Early Childhood (EC) Program provides a safe, nurturing environment that allows students to transition smoothly from home to school. Our integrated, thematic approach to learning instills curiosity and a love of learning in young students, and provides them with a foundation for interdisciplinary learning that will serve them throughout their education.

The EC Program is a gateway to Ross School’s unique Spiral Curriculum, and even the youngest learners at Ross benefit from our holistic pedagogy. Just like the older students, students in Nursery and Pre-K classes participate in hands-on learning experiences that cross disciplines, such as painting impressions of the Big Bang while listening to “cosmic” music or planting organic gardens in which to release butterflies raised and studied in the classroom.

Early Childhood Specials Program

EC students take part in a Specials Program that connects students with expert teachers in specialized areas. Classes in performing arts, science, visual arts, music, library, and wellness both augment and integrate with the curriculum, enriching and deepening student learning. In addition, EC students take part in the Buddy Program, in which they are connected with older students in a mentoring relationship.

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AN EARLY CHILDHOOD DAY AT ROSS SCHOOL:

9:00 AM LEARNING CENTER TIME

Students explore learning centers including the Art Center, Art Easel, Science & Math Center, Puzzle Center, Manipulatives Center, Library Center, Housekeeping Center, Block Center, Light Table, Lego Table, Dramatic Play Center.

9:30 AM MORNING MEETING

Students come together as a group to sing morning greeting songs, share their news, and with teacher help, to review the calendar, weather, and schedule for the day. This provides students with a chance to reconnect and sets a positive tone for the day. The Ross Core Values are also discussed and practiced during this time.

10:30 AM SPECIALS (varies daily)

Each day, students rotate through a variety of classes with expert teachers in such areas as performing arts, science, visual arts, music, and wellness.

11:00 AM RECESS OR LARGE MOVEMENT GAMES

Students play collaborative movement games that help them to cultivate locomotive skills, coordination, and aerobic conditioning, as well as develop interpersonal skills.

11:30 AM HANDWRITING/MATH/SPECIALS (alternates daily)

In a schoolwide learning block, students alternate between math lessons, the Handwriting Without Tears program, and specials courses.

12:30 PM READING/WRITING TIME & GROUP GAMES

Students further their love of literature and storytelling while building basic skills through daily shared reading and writing experiences and small guided reading groups.

1:00 PM EARLY CHILDHOOD ENRICHMENT PROGRAMS

Students can extend their day at Ross by participating in an eclectic and extensive series of after-school enrichment opportunities, such as yoga, cooking, art, and African drumming.

CURRICULAR THEMES BY GRADE

Nursery

Pre–Kindergarten

Explore the Spiral Curriculum