Early Childhood

At Beacon, we know that young children learn best from their own actions in the world around them. We provide an appropriately structured and nurturing program for children ages 3 through 5 to learn through play and free exploration with a rich array of materials.

Our teachers understand child development and will build upon what your child brings to the classroom to prepare him or her for what comes next.

We aim to

  • help young students discover how they learn best
  • motivate them to want to learn by giving them successful experiences
  • encourage them to create and to express themselves
  • teach them how to be with others cooperatively, and
  • give them a sure sense of belonging.

Children on the cusp of kindergarten who have demonstrated developmental readiness for more structure and instruction can take part in kindergarten prep activities. As with every Beacon program, the level and pace of instruction matches the needs of the children who make up the class.

Curriculum

Beacon’s program emphasizes language enrichment through discovery and play. Prereading and premath activities emphasize patterns, concepts and vocabulary over work with letters and numerals. Science, social studies, health and safety, and cultural awareness are taught via both formal and discovery methods, including celebrations of diverse cultural events. Social and emotional growth activities are adapted especially for young children.

Our teachers thematically integrate art, music, dance and movement every day. Students regularly attend a music class and a dance class taught by our skilled artist-teachers in their studio-classrooms. The physical exercise program, both indoors and out, includes two 45-minute recesses daily. Our ceramics program helps develop fine motor and creative skills. Our classroom garden teaches students about how plants grow, where food comes from, and how to nurture living things.

Beacon's Early Childhood Program is fully licensed and in compliance with all federal, state and local regulations. Early Childhood facility number 010210724.

A Beacon Early Childhood Week

Outlined below is an example of a typical Early Childhood weekly schedule. The school is open from 7:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Early Childhood Sample Schedule

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Story Time
Finger Play
Snack
Recess

Story Time
Nursery Rhymes
Snack
Pre-Math

Listening Skills
Snack
Story Time
Draw & Write

Social Development
Story Time

Free Choice Play

Listening Skills
Story Time

Dance

Draw & Write
Story Time
Art
Free Choice Play
Story Time

Music

Social Studies
Block Activities

Music

Free Choice Play
Story Time
Recess

Recess
Pre-Math
Gross Motor Skills
Language Arts
Story Time

Whole Language
Read, Draw, Write, Story & Dictation
Recess

Lunch
Nap

Lunch
Nap

Lunch
Nap

Lunch
Nap

Lunch
Nap

Science
Dramatic Play
Story Time
Finger Play
Snack

Art
Dramatic Play
Snack
Show & Tell
Story Time

Science
Fine Motor Skills
Show & Tell
Snack
Story Time

Science
Dramatic Play
Snack
Show & Tell
Story Telling

Cooking
Fine Motor Skills
Story Telling
Snack

Recess

Recess

Recess

Recess

Recess

Beacon Day School

2101 Livingston St., Oakland, CA 94606
Main Office: (510) 436-4466