3 and 4 year-old Class

3-days per week - Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

Ages 3 -5yr | 9:30 - 12:30 PM

Age Requirement: Age 3 years by September 1st, 2026 must not turn 5 years before September 1st, 2026

Class Size: 12 children.

Teachers: Jutta Braken-Guelke is the Head Teacher for this class, along with one (1) Assistant Teacher (TBD).

Curriculum: In the 3/4 class, we

• play, hike, and climb

• explore, discover, and investigate

• solve problems and think critically

• are interested in process and cause & effect

• take risks

• believe that challenges make us stronger.

The emergent curriculum revolves around children’s needs, interests, desires, and strengths, and is in tandem with the developmental milestones of 3 & 4 year-old children as they

• Engage in small group and cooperative play

• Show increasing interest in peers

• Engage in cooperative play

• Build social-emotional and communication skills

Meeting Locations:

This class meets in the schoolyard and the Forest Canyon at the Black Road location, at an off-site creek, and at other locations.

The 3/4 class usually starts the school year in the schoolyard at the Black Road location.

In the 3/4s class, twelve (12) children, two (2) teachers, and four (4) approved caregivers (evenly split between Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) will be present.

Caregivers are responsible for:

• Getting their child to and from school on all three days, including field trip locations (They may choose to arrange a carpool on their own).

• They will attend ONLY one class per week on their assigned day (either Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday).

• They will be responsible for their child AND two additional children on the day they attend class.

• Their family partnership families will be responsible for their child on their non-working days.

Family Partnerships

In the 3/4 class, we require families to participate in a family partnership to watch other children while at school. Before the start of school, Family Partnership Coordinators appointed by the board help arrange family partnerships based on information (children's and families' needs, schedules, logistics, and other) provided by each family. After partnerships are formed, we recommend that families get to know one another through play dates and other meetings before the first class.

Many partnerships choose to carpool to ease the burden of commuting and minimize environmental impact; however, this is not required, but a choice. Family partnerships often form tight bonds and lasting relationships between children and adults. Most importantly, a family partnership gives children the opportunity to develop a trusting relationship with other adults and allows families to show their children that they have confidence in them. 

More detailed information about family partnerships (responsibilities, benefits, etc.) will be communicated to families at the beginning of the school year.