​​Mrs. Robin Barnhart,                                          Mrs. Melissa Gettman,
Lead Teacher & Director                                    Assistant

Welcome to Rivergate Preschool, PreK, TK & Kindergarten! 

• Rivergate’s early years classroom serves children ages 3+old who are already potty-trained through kindergarten.

Rivergate starts our students on the right track by making perfect placements within the early years of the school experience. Placements are recommended depending on a child’s developmental age and readiness testing for the school setting and curriculum.

Our highly qualified staff work with each family to tailor & craft the perfect classroom experience enabling each child to develop positive attitudes towards learning and experience maximum growth each year.

How is PreK different from Kindergarten?  While preschool shares space and time with kindergarten, students experience a step-up in expectations both academically and socially. The kindergarten students become role models for how school works & help to create a close learning community. 

Our early years program is child-centered, thematically integrated and geared towards our young learners & explorers. Daily language and math activities provide a rich environment for building emergent reading and mathematic skills. The multi-grade experience allows students to learn at their “just right” level by accessing skills and content they can review and improve on, or show mastery by helping another classmate.

• Science and social studies are integrated thematically in the early years program along with the core skills of reading (with phonics), writing and math (with manipulatives).
• Art, drama, and music are used throughout the curriculum to enhance the learning experience.

​Before & After School Care is Available: 

• Morning Movement Class: Monday- Friday 7:15 a.m. to 8:15 a.m. ​
• After School Program is available from 3:30 p.m.-5:30 p.m.

Take a look at our PreK/Preschool Handbook here.
​
Please contact us for more information.

FULL DAY PLACEMENTS       
Rivergate's full day program runs from 8:30-3:30 Monday-Thursday, and ends at 12:30 on Friday. Some parents choose this full day program because:

• it is developmentally appropriate for their child
• their child has preschool experience already & is ready for more challenge
• they want a longer school day with enriching experiences
• they want their children to benefit from both whole group and even more individualized instruction opportunities in the afternoon
• children have more time for free exploration and learning through play
• children have more opportunities to learn & practice social skills through positive reinforcement in the school setting
• parents need a safe place for their child to grow while they are working

The full-day program continues in the afternoon with lunch recess, quiet time and enrichment. Children then participate in a variety of experiences that extend and enrich the skills and content being taught in the morning session. Students explore a variety of learning centers and free choice activities, enjoy extra outside recess and have the opportunity for more individualized instruction.

​HALF DAY PLACEMENTS
Rivergate's half-day program runs from 8:30-12:30 Monday through Friday. Some parents choose this half-day program because:

• it is developmentally appropriate for their child,
• better match for shorter attention spans of younger children
• a parent works part-time, but still wants their children to be home with them,
• it allows a young student opportunities to socialize with their peers

Our half-day program is still a full learning experience because the bulk of skills and content teaching is completed before lunch when the child’s attention span is at maximum levels.

Preschool Immunization Graph