Early Childhood Education

ECE at Chisholm

Curriculum

Please note: beginning SY 23-24, ALL PreK 3&4 classrooms (with the exception of our CES classroom) will be bilingual-arts. Learn more here.

At Tyler (& throughout DCPS ECE classrooms), we utilize Creative Curriculum which includes developmentally appropriate goals and objectives for children within four areas of development: social/emotional, physical, cognitive and language and are aligned to the Kindergarten Readiness Standards.

Using the curriculum as a framework, teachers follow the lead of the children and pursue the questions and investigations within each study that are most interesting to the children in their classroom.  In addition to teacher planned learning experiences, everyday children engage in purposeful play, supporting relationship building, problem-solving, and critical thinking. 

Throughout the day, teachers are observing children and gathering information about their skills and understandings to guide their planning.  These observations, along with children’s work, are documented in our assessment platform GOLD.  Three times a year, using the information captured in GOLD, teachers determine where each child is in their development in a variety of objectives or standards and share the information with families. 

Regardless of program (dual language, creative arts, or CES), ALL of our classrooms follow creative curriculum (CES follows a modified creative curriculum).

PreK Meal Schedule

PreK students may participate in free school breakfast and lunch OR pack food from home. Early childhood meal schedules are located here: DCPS Sodexo Meal Schedule

Family Resource: DCPS Ready for PreK Resources 

Families of PK3 and PK4 students, check out these Ready for PreK Toolkits designed by DCPS to give you ideas and tips for your little one's strong start! Check out the resources via https://www.readyforprek.org/prek-family-toolkit

Overview of Classrooms

At Tyler, we have 9 Early Childhood Education classrooms. ECE classrooms include dual language (full Spanish immersion), creative arts, and Communication and Education Support (special education).

PreK Classroom Ratios

PreK 3 Classrooms: 1 teacher; 1 assistant teacher; 15 students

PreK 4 Classrooms: 1 teacher; 1 assistant teacher; 20 students

*The Communication & Education Support PreK classroom has a smaller ratio

PreK Classroom Nap/Rest Durations

PreK 3 Classrooms: 90 minutes

PreK 4 Classrooms: 60 minutes

A Day in ECE

Beginning ECE is an exciting time & you may have questions about routines, your student’s schedule, & what to expect! Prior to the start of the school year, there will be opportunities to meet with your student’s teacher & see the classroom.

A typical day consists of…

  • Breakfast in the classroom

  • Morning meeting

  • Small groups & centers

  • Specials (art, music, gym, performing arts)

  • Lunch in the classroom

  • Outdoor play

  • Nap / Rest time

  • Afternoon snack

  • Afternoon read aloud & activity

  • Dismissal!