PK3 Program
The Best Place to Be Little
Childhood isn't something to rush through. The preschool years are a time for wondering how butterflies get their colors, pretending to sail a pirate ship, making a first best friend, and discovering that school is a place you can't wait to come back to.
That's the kind of experience every child deserves.
At St. Nicholas, PK3 offers a joyful first school experience where children feel safe enough to try something new, where teachers know them well enough to notice what makes them light up, and where every day ends with a story they're excited to tell at home.
A Joyful First School Experience
PK3 is often a child’s first real experience of school. At St. Nicholas, we want that beginning to feel warm, joyful, and full of little moments that help children feel at home.
- A gentle introduction to the school day
- Teachers who help children feel safe and settled
- Early experiences that build confidence over time
Learning Through Exploration
Three-year-olds learn by touching, building, noticing, wondering, and trying again. Our Reggio-inspired, nature-based approach gives children room to follow their questions and discover how much there is to learn from the world around them.
- Hands-on experiences that grow from curiosity
- Time outdoors as a natural part of learning
- Creative work that helps children make meaning
Known, Nurtured, and Guided
Children grow best when the adults around them know more than their names. Our teachers pay attention to what makes each child light up, where they need support, and how they are beginning to find their voice.
- Small classes and close teacher relationships
- Support that responds to each child’s needs
- A classroom where children are noticed and encouraged
A Schedule That Works for Families
Our PK3 program follows a five-day, full school day (8 a.m. to 3 p.m.) schedule, giving children a steady rhythm while supporting the needs of busy families. When the school day ends, Extended School Program offers additional care in a familiar place.
- Five-day, full-day PK3 program
- A consistent routine children can count on
- Extended School Program available after school
It is a practical schedule with the same care and warmth families experience throughout the school day.
Why Begin in PK3?
One of the questions we hear most often is, "Is my child ready?"
Sometimes, what parents are really asking is, "Will my child be okay?" They're still happiest with a favorite stuffed animal. They'd rather build a blanket fort than practice writing their name. They have big feelings, endless energy, and a wonderful way of seeing the world.
We think that's exactly what three-year-olds should be doing.
PK3 gives children a place where they can grow at their own pace alongside others their age, guided by teachers who understand this stage of childhood and genuinely enjoy it.
Given the time and encouragement to simply be three, children begin to develop the joyful confidence to try something new, the independence to do more for themselves, and the assurance that school is a place where they belong.
What Families Say About St. Nicholas PK3
“My child’s independence has been fostered in ways I would not have thought to do at home. This has contributed to a huge growth in confidence and more of a can-do attitude. Your child will learn academic skills and, more importantly, how to be a positive part of the community. They will be challenged in ways big and small and will be active participants in their days.”
“St. Nicholas always encourages our child to be more of himself, not less. Even in the active, wild, and emotional year of PK3, he is encouraged to lean into his own strengths, ideas, and personality, never being told it is too much, disruptive, or not suitable for school.”
The Journey Starts Here
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