Pre-Kindergarten

Confidence Through Curiosity
Four-year-olds grow in confidence as they make friends, ask questions, and express themselves through play, movement, music, and art. With gentle guidance and loving routines, children feel safe to explore the world around them and discover just how capable they are.
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What a Day Feels Like

Our four-year-olds are curious, creative, and ready to explore—and our classrooms are designed to help them do just that. With gentle routines, caring teachers, and lots of hands-on fun, Pre-K children build confidence, friendships, and important early learning skills.

Each day begins with happy hellos and cozy morning routines that help children feel safe and ready to learn. Circle time brings everyone together with songs, calendar, weather, and stories that spark imagination and build language.

Throughout the day, children explore centers, paint, build, count, play games, and work together with friends. They spend time outside running, climbing, pretending, and discovering. Music and enrichment add even more joy through movement, rhythm, and creativity.

In Pre-K, children are encouraged to ask questions, try new things, and begin doing more for themselves. With just the right mix of structure and freedom, they grow into confident, capable learners—ready for TK and the exciting steps ahead

What We Focus On

  • Language & Literacy

    Letter sounds, rhyming, storytelling, and name writing introduce pre-reading and early writing with playful, engaging routines.

  • Math Readiness

    Children explore numbers, patterns, sorting, shapes, and simple problem-solving through hands-on activities and games.

  • Social Development

    Through turn-taking, collaboration, and pretend play, children learn to build friendships and work respectfully in a group setting.

  • Creative Expression

    Daily art, music, and dramatic play activities spark imagination and help children express their feelings and ideas.

  • Movement & Coordination

    Running, climbing, dancing, and fine motor tasks like cutting and drawing build strength, balance, and school readiness.

  • Confidence & Responsibility

    Classroom jobs, following directions, and making choices help children feel capable and ready to take the next step in learning.

A Gentle Rhythm

Our Pre-K classrooms follow a structured yet flexible flow that supports both learning and play. Mornings begin with songs, calendar time, and hands-on centers that build literacy and math skills. Snack and outdoor play offer chances to connect, move, and reset. The afternoons bring music, creative projects, and time for reflection or quiet reading—all paced with care to meet each child’s developmental needs.

With clear routines and loving support, Pre-K students grow into enthusiastic learners who feel at home in the classroom and proud of their growing independence.

Sample Daily Schedule

Meet the Teacher

Emiko Madison

Ms. Madison has been teaching for over 27 years and has been a beloved part of the Carden Conejo community since 1999. With a background in Early Childhood Education and international languages, she has taught Preschool, Pre-K, and helped develop the Jr. Kindergarten program before becoming Director of the Primary School in 2011. Ms. Madison is passionate about nurturing each child’s growth and supporting her dedicated staff.

  • Student Arrival

    8:00 am - 8:20 am • Children ease into the day with free play, gentle greetings, and familiar classroom routines.

  • Morning Meeting & Circle Time

    8:00 am - 8:30 am • Children ease into the day with free play, gentle greetings, and familiar classroom routines.

  • Learning Centers & Playful Exploration

    8:00 am - 8:30 am • Children ease into the day with free play, gentle greetings, and familiar classroom routines.

  • Snack & Social Time

    8:00 am - 8:30 am • Children ease into the day with free play, gentle greetings, and familiar classroom routines.

  • Outdoor Adventures

    8:00 am - 8:30 am • Children ease into the day with free play, gentle greetings, and familiar classroom routines.

  • Creative Time (Art, Music, or Discovery)

    8:00 am - 8:30 am • Children ease into the day with free play, gentle greetings, and familiar classroom routines.

  • Closing Circle & Goodbye Songs

    8:00 am - 8:30 am • Children ease into the day with free play, gentle greetings, and familiar classroom routines.

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Each day, we nurture the wonder within—helping little ones grow with laughter, learning, and love that lasts a lifetime.