Now Accepting Applications
Give your child tools for a lifetime of academic success! The Preschool at the Boonshoft provides a supportive educational curriculum that is designed to help your child discover the joy of learning. Our highly-skilled, certified teachers present inclusive, yet challenging programming – both in the classroom and throughout the extended environment of the museum. The Preschool’s curriculum is meant to suit a multi-age environment that encourages students to learn at their own pace, while stimulating inquiry and the desire to discover.
Come explore with us, enroll today!
For more information please call 937-275-7431
Why choose The Preschool?
The Preschool at the Boonshoft offers a truly unique learning environment that is designed to meet the academic and social needs of children ages 3 to 6. With a strong emphasis on science, art, and practical life skills, The Preschool offers a supportive age-appropriate structure that includes access to the tools children need to develop a healthy curiosity, as well as the skills to explore topics that pique their interest.
Guiding Principals:
- Children benefit from an environment that encourages children to explore topics that pique their interest.
- Tactile, hands-on learning opportunities provide memorable experiences that develop strong reasoning and independence.
- The role of the teacher is to provide a supportive structure that creates opportunities for each child to learn and develop a healthy curiosity.
- Parents are a vital component of learning, serving as partners and advocates for their children.
The Preschool's Program
Featuring a supportive and enriching environment that encourages children to explore the world around them, The Preschool at the Boonshoft integrates the best practices from a variety of teaching methods designed to cultivate strong reasoning, creativity, and independent problem-solving. The hybrid of the Montessori and Reggio Emilia approach, matched with the latest museum technologies, creates a unique environment that fosters life-long learning and fulfills the natural curiosity that comes with being a child. Students explore a variety of academic subjects by using the classroom and museum as tools for academic and creative discovery.
Subjects include:
- Practical Life Skills (self-help, understanding responsibility to peers and environment, socio-emotional skills, understanding tasks systematically, large muscle, gross motor skills, fine motor skills)
- Sensorial (understanding how to describe, order, and classify sensory experiences, building on recognition of the five senses, tactile learning, fine motor skills)
- Language (development of reading, writing, and speaking through phonetics and sensory activities, always moving at the individual student’s pace)
- Mathematics (use of sensory materials to sort, count, create patterns and sequences, and understand broad mathematical concepts)
- Geometry (cultivate the understanding of how shapes create real-life figures)
- Cultural (entices students to have an understanding of the world around them, recognizing they are part of a greater community)
- Science (foster an understanding of the nature that surrounds us, exposure to the idea of natural, scientific concepts, and how people apply measurements of time to their lives)
Students use the classroom and museum as a platform for learning and navigate the environment around them to dive into subject matter they find engrossing. Though The Preschool at the Boonshoft offers challenging programming, no child is discouraged by curriculum they find too difficult or left bored because they are not being challenged. Each child controls their academic pace, learning though moments of discovery. The diversity of a multi-age classroom also makes for a unique and productive educational climate. Older students learn what is means to be a mentor and a peer-teacher, while the younger students thrive on learning academically and socially from their older classmates.
The Preschool's Faculty
The Preschool at the Boonshoft truly has a one-of-a-kind staff, including; a consistent classroom teacher, classroom aides, administrator, and professional museum staff.
- Classroom teacher and administrator combined have over 25 years of teaching experience and both hold a Masters in Education.
- Qualified, nurturing classroom aides assist the classroom teacher and help maintain The Preschools low student-to-teacher ratio of 7:1 (compared to the 12:1 state requirement).
- Museum educators specializing in astronomy, live animals, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), anthropology, geology, and biology make classroom visits on a regular basis to help bring The Preschool curriculum to life!
The Preschool at the Boonshoft administrator, Susan Pion, holds a Masters in Education focused in science and math, is licensed in Positive Discipline Method, and has 15 years of experience in free choice education. The Preschool classroom teacher, Tracy Uzzel, holds a Masters in Education and is licensed in the state of Ohio in early childhood education. Susan and Tracy work together to continuously audit lesson plans and build curriculum that best suits the classroom and is appealing to students.
Frequently Asked Questions
What would a “normal” day for my child be like?
Children appreciate consistency and can expect the regularly scheduled activities like circle time, snack, lunch, nap/enrichment, and outside time (weather permitting). The Preschool students also love taking trips to the museum, inviting museum professionals to the classroom, and other special activities that occur on a regular basis.
Why is a curriculum that explores the sciences so important to my young child?
Professionals have proved that science is crucial for early learners. Science is both academically and developmentally essential because it builds problem solving skills, perpetuates inquiry; and develops aptitude for advanced grammar, vocabulary, and exploration. During free play, as few as 15% of children participate in science-based activities, and by kindergarten view science as a difficult and daunting subject. Though The Preschool curriculum isn’t strictly science-based, they are able to combat any negative feelings towards science and discovery by expanding on an “average” science curriculum, using all of the resources the museum has to offer.
My child is three; will the curriculum and multi-age classroom be too much for him/her?
The Preschool at the Boonshoft built its foundation on best practices from the Montessori and Reggio approach, including the diversity of a multi-age classroom. Older children enjoy stepping into a mentorship role and develop the skills to be a peer-teacher. Younger students learn both academically and socially from older students, and while they are cooperative learners, each child uses the curriculum at their own pace so no child feels unchallenged or left behind academically.
What is the student-to-teacher ratio?
The Preschool prefers to keep the student-to-teacher ratio low so that students benefit from as much individualized attention as possible. While the state requires a 12:1 ratio, The Preschool is able to maintain a consistent ratio of 7:1, which can be difficult for other preschool programs to accomplish.
Does my child have to be potty trained in order to enroll in The Preschool at the Boonshoft?
While we understand students have accidents from time to time, as most children do, potential students must be potty trained before entering The Preschool at the Boonshoft.
My child does not need a nap anymore, what will he do while all of the other children sleep?
Every child is offered time to rest, whether this means taking a nap on a cot or having some down time to themselves. Children who do not need to nap can spend time in a separate area with the classroom teacher, while a classroom aide supervises nap time. The wide-awake students usually spend this time working on enrichment programming with the classroom teacher, focusing on academic areas in which students need some extra attention or subjects in students find interesting.
Is tuition comparable to other area Montessori programs and Preschools?
Tuition at The Preschool is very comparable to other area programs. The Preschool strives to offer competitive tuition rates matched with a wide rage of unique benefits you will not find at most other preschools, making The Preschool a great choice for your budget and a great educational investment for your child.
Does The Preschool at the Boonshoft offer tuition assistance for families in need?
The Preschool is working diligently towards teaming up with the Ohio Department of Jobs and Family services to offer state-supported assistance to families and to fund scholarship programming though Step Up To Quality accreditation. We will keep families interested in tuition assistance up to date on our progress. For more information please call 937-275-7431.
My schedule is a little crazy; will you be able to accommodate that?
We at The Preschool understand that people have demanding work, school, and personal schedules. The Preschool offers early and late pick-up options, part-time preschool, and AM/PM care for kindergarteners (transportation not provided).
Step-By-Step Application Process
Upon receiving a packet of information by mail and/or expressing interest in our program, you will:
1.
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to the Museum and classroom for an observation and to meet the teacher. You are encouraged to bring your child with you.
2. If your child does not accompany you for the initial meeting, schedule a visit to the Museum and classroom with your child.
3. Return a completed application form along with the non-refundable $35 application fee.
4. The Preschool will review the completed application and, if necessary, contact the parent(s)/guardian(s) for additional information. The Preschool will then contact the parent(s)/guardian(s) to let them know if there is an opening for their child.
5. If space is available, a start date will be determined (with an appropriate transition phase for 3 year olds). If space is not available, the child can be placed on a waiting list.
6. Prior to the start date, the parent(s)/guardian(s) will complete the Enrollment Packet which contains all necessary forms for enrollment: enrollment agreement, child’s medical forms*, emergency transportation form*, consent to release, and permission slips. Most forms in the packet can be downloaded (see forms list below). Complete packets can picked up in person at The Preschool registration office, or mailed upon request. Enrollment Packets will not be processed without completion of steps 1 – 6.
7. Upon enrollment, the required paperwork will be turned in to The Preschool along with a $65.00 enrollment fee. This fee is non-refundable unless there is no opening for your child. Your child is not enrolled until all necessary forms have been received.
8. Follow up orientation, additional paperwork and other information will be handled through the child’s teacher.
Application Forms
Application Form
Prospective parent letter
School Calendar
Tuition Schedule
Contact information
Enrollment Forms
Welcome letter
School Calendar
Enrollment Agreement
Enrollment ASC/BSC Agreement
Tuition Schedule
Student Background
Permission Slip
Consent to Release
Student info Card
*Child enrollment and health information (JFS 01234)
*Child medical statement – Note: This must be filled out by a physician (JFS 01305)
*Denotes Montgomery County Job and Family Services form not currently available for download. Forms can be picked up at The Preschool or through MCJFS.
Contact Us
For additional information about The Preschool at the Boonshoft, please contact:
Susan Pion, Vice President of Education at 937.275.7431, ext. 148 or e-mail:
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