Early Childhood Department

Helping Young Children Grow and Learn Through Hands-on Discovery - -

Early childhood is an important time. Children have special social, emotional, and cognitive characteristics. Our professionals are trained in early childhood education and child development.

THE VILLAGE PRESCHOOL at Laughlin Center

The Village Preschool gives young children a solid start to their school experience in a nurturing, developmentally-appropriate atmosphere where it’s fun to learn. 

What makes The Village Preschool special?

•Our family-friendly scheduling: parents choose 2, 3, or 4 mornings  (9 am to 11:30 am) a week for three-year-olds, and 3 or 4 mornings a week for four- and five-year olds. Parents can pick the mornings (Monday through Thursday) that work best for their families!

•Our mixed-age classroom: allows three-, four-, and five-year-olds* to interact in a structured setting, creating opportunities for mentoring and peer modeling while still preparing children for more formal schooling with age-appropriate activities and lessons

•Our credentials: The Village Preschool is  accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education

•Our teachers: are well-qualified, experienced, and caring, and can draw upon Laughlin Center’s 50 years of multi-disciplinary experience in working with children

How The Village Preschool works:

Parents choose the number of mornings (9 am to 11:30 am) that best suit their child, then choose which days of the week their child will attend (Monday through Thursday). Class size is limited to 16 children, with 2 teachers.  Cost is $105/month for two days/week; $155/month for three days/week; and $210/month for four days/week.  There is a $40 registration fee. 

The Village Preschool’s developmentally-appropriate preschool curriculum:

•Understands children’s need to learn through play

•Stimulates the development of physical, social, emotional, and cognitive skills

•Promotes each child’s self esteem

•Includes age-appropriate activities, such as:

creative play         

language enrichment

circle time                      

snacks    

stories                            

themes

singing                            

reading, math, & science activities

*Children must be at least three years old by September 1st to attend. 

Early Childhood Academic Evaluation

This evaluation is for children in preschool through first grade. Parents gain information about a child's developmental and early academic achievement through this evaluation. It can be helpful in deciding whether your child is ready for kindergarten or first grade. It is also given prior to entering the K-1 Skill Builders Program. Test results and recommendations are shared with parents in a conference as well as in a written report.

K-1 Skill Builders

The program is for kindergarten and first grade children who may be at risk due to delays in one or more areas of normal development that affect readiness to learn. It is designed to nurture the growth of age appropriate skills necessary for success in school.

Each child is tested in six developmental areas including visual, auditory, language, gross and fine motor, social/emotional, and academic skills; individual goals are developed for each child. Groups of up to 6 children participate in enjoyable activities that build skills in all areas. Each child receives individualized attention and is helped to build a positive self-concept as a successful learner. The children's progress is tracked, and regular conferences are held with each child's parents. Groups meet weekly during the school year, or in the summer, daily.

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