At Meadowlark Schools, we prepare children for kindergarten success through our unique nature-based, play-centered approach. Our Pre-K program builds essential academic, social-emotional, and physical skills while nurturing children's natural curiosity and love of learning.
Kindergarten Readiness Through Nature-Based, Play-Centered Learning
Opening August 2025 in Stockton, our Lincoln Village area Pre-K program will provide children ages 4-6 with the perfect blend of structure and exploration to ensure kindergarten readiness while honoring childhood.
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Preparing Lincoln Village Children for School Success
Located conveniently for Lincoln Village families, our new Stockton campus will offer a Pre-K program that builds on the award-winning approach that has made our Hollister location the "Best of San Benito County" for four consecutive years (2021-2024).
Our Pre-K program serves children ages 4-6, providing them with the skills, confidence, and curiosity they need to thrive in kindergarten and beyond. We understand that Lincoln Village families have many educational options, but our approach offers something unique: a research-backed, play-based curriculum that prepares children for academic success while preserving the joy of childhood.
Our "Head, Hands, and Heart" Philosophy
At Meadowlark Schools, we believe kindergarten readiness encompasses more than just academics. Our "Head, Hands, and Heart" philosophy ensures we nurture:
- Head: Cognitive skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities
- Hands: Fine and gross motor development, practical life skills, and creative expression
- Heart: Social-emotional intelligence, empathy, and resilience
This balanced approach ensures children enter kindergarten as confident, capable learners ready to embrace new challenges.
Kindergarten Readiness Through Play-Based Learning
Research consistently shows that play is children's most important learning medium. Through thoughtfully designed play experiences, children develop the executive function skills, social competence, and love of learning that predict long-term school success.
The Play-Learning Connection
- Block play develops mathematical thinking, spatial awareness, and engineering concepts
- Dramatic play builds language, narrative skills, and social negotiation
- Outdoor exploration enhances scientific thinking, observation skills, and physical coordination
- Art experiences foster creativity, fine motor skills, and symbolic representation
- Group games teach turn-taking, rule-following, and collaborative problem-solving
Our teachers are skilled at extending children's play to incorporate literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies concepts organically, without disrupting the flow of children's engagement.
The Balance of Structure and Freedom
While our approach is play-centered, our Pre-K program includes appropriate structure to prepare children for the kindergarten environment:
- Small group learning experiences
- Circle times that build listening skills and group participation
- Project-based investigations that develop focus and follow-through
- Consistent routines and expectations
- Guided practice with self-regulation and transition skills
This balance helps children develop the attention, focus, and classroom skills they will need in elementary school while maintaining their intrinsic motivation to learn.
Key Developmental Areas We Address
Our Pre-K curriculum addresses all the developmental domains essential for kindergarten success:
Social-Emotional Development
- Building positive relationships with peers and adults
- Developing self-regulation skills
- Understanding and expressing emotions appropriately
- Building independence and self-help skills
- Developing conflict resolution strategies
- Fostering resilience and persistence
Language and Literacy
- Expanding vocabulary and conversation skills
- Developing phonological awareness
- Building letter recognition and sound associations
- Fostering a love of books and stories
- Encouraging emergent writing
- Supporting expressive language development
Mathematical Thinking
- Number sense and counting with understanding
- Pattern recognition and creation
- Measurement concepts
- Spatial relationships and geometry
- Classification and sorting
- Logical reasoning and problem-solving
Scientific Inquiry
- Observation and documentation skills
- Prediction and hypothesis testing
- Cause and effect relationships
- Natural world concepts
- Simple experimentation
- Classification and categorization
Physical Development
- Fine motor skills for writing readiness
- Gross motor coordination and strength
- Balance and spatial awareness
- Eye-hand coordination
- Body awareness and control
- Healthy physical activity habits
A Day in Our Lincoln Village Pre-K Program
Our daily schedule provides a balance of active and quiet times, individual and group experiences, and indoor and outdoor learning. While each day flows according to children's interests and needs, our rhythm generally includes:
Morning Exploration
Children arrive and choose from a variety of engaging learning centers, including art, science, literacy, mathematics, and dramatic play. Teachers circulate to support exploration and extend learning.
Morning Circle
The group gathers to build community through songs, stories, movement, and discussions. This time helps develop listening skills, turn-taking, and group participation.
Outdoor Learning
Children engage in extended outdoor exploration in our natural playspaces. Activities include gardening, nature observation, physical challenges, and open-ended play with natural materials.
Small Group Learning
Teachers facilitate focused small group activities targeting specific skills and concepts, differentiated to meet individual children's needs and interests.
Lunch and Rest
Children practice independence and social skills during family-style lunch, followed by rest or quiet activities.
Afternoon Projects
Children engage in ongoing projects and investigations, building deeper understanding of concepts over time.
Outdoor Exploration
A second outdoor period provides additional opportunities for nature connection and physical activity.
Closing Circle and Departure
Children reflect on their day, prepare to transition home, and engage in calm activities until pickup.
The Nature-Based Advantage for School Readiness
Our Lincoln Village location will feature thoughtfully designed outdoor learning environments that provide unique advantages for kindergarten preparation:
Research-Backed Benefits
Studies show that children who participate in nature-based programs demonstrate:
- Longer attention spans and better focus
- Advanced problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Stronger observation and documentation abilities
- Better physical coordination and body awareness
- More sophisticated language and vocabulary
- Stronger social skills and collaborative abilities
These skills form the foundation for successful learning in elementary school and beyond.
Lincoln Village Area Natural Features
Our outdoor curriculum will incorporate local natural features and environmental education opportunities:
- Garden spaces where children grow vegetables and flowers
- Natural playspaces with logs, boulders, and varied terrain
- Water features for scientific exploration
- Native plant gardens that attract local wildlife
- Outdoor classroom spaces for group learning
- Nature trails for exploration and discovery
These elements connect children to the Lincoln Village community's natural environment while building essential skills for school success.
Preparing for Local Elementary Schools
Our Pre-K program prepares children for success in Lincoln Village area elementary schools and throughout the Stockton Unified School District.
Alignment with Kindergarten Expectations
Our curriculum aligns with California's learning standards and local kindergarten expectations, ensuring children develop the specific skills they will need for their next educational step.
Partnerships with Local Schools
As we establish our Stockton campus, we will build relationships with local elementary schools to ensure smooth transitions for our graduates. This includes:
- Understanding specific kindergarten expectations at nearby schools
- Facilitating visits from kindergarten teachers
- Arranging field trips to elementary schools when possible
- Sharing relevant information with families about kindergarten registration and readiness
Transition Support
As children prepare to move on to kindergarten, we provide:
- Kindergarten readiness assessments to identify any areas needing additional support
- Parent-teacher conferences focused on the transition
- Information sessions about kindergarten expectations
- Resources for families to support summer learning before kindergarten
Frequently Asked Questions
How does a play-based program prepare my child academically for kindergarten?
Research consistently shows that children from play-based programs develop stronger foundational skills for academic success than those from programs emphasizing early academics. Through meaningful play, children develop the executive function skills, problem-solving abilities, and intrinsic motivation that predict long-term school success. Our teachers intentionally integrate literacy, math, and science concepts into play experiences to build academic foundations in developmentally appropriate ways.
What is the teacher-to-child ratio in your Pre-K program?
Our Pre-K program maintains a 1:12 teacher-to-child ratio, sometimes less. This allows our teachers to provide individualized attention and support each child's unique developmental journey.
Do you teach reading and writing in your Pre-K program?
We build strong foundations for literacy through developmentally appropriate practices. Children develop phonological awareness, letter recognition, print concepts, and pre-writing skills through meaningful, play-based experiences rather than formal instruction. This approach aligns with research showing that building these foundations through play leads to stronger reading skills in later grades.
How do you assess kindergarten readiness?
We use observation-based assessment methods to track children's development across all domains. Teachers document children's skills, knowledge, and behaviors through notes, photos, and work samples, which are compiled into portfolios. We share this information with families during conferences and provide a kindergarten readiness assessment in the spring before kindergarten.
Do you offer full-day and part-day options?
While we serve those looking for full-time care first, our Lincoln Village location offers both full-day and half-day options to accommodate different family needs. We also offer 2-day, 3-day, and 5-day scheduling options.
How do you support children who may need additional help with specific skills?
Our teacher-to-child ratio allows us to provide individualized support for each child. We work closely with families to identify any areas where children may need additional support and develop strategies to address these needs. If necessary, we can also connect families with additional resources and specialists in the Lincoln Village area.
Enrollment Information
As we prepare to open our Stockton campus in August 2025, we invite Lincoln Village families to:
- Join our interest list to receive updates and invitations to pre-opening events
- Attend an information session to learn more about our Pre-K program
- Schedule a pre-opening tour as we near completion of our facility
- Complete enrollment paperwork to secure your child's place
Start Your Child's Educational Journey with Meadowlark Schools
Give your child the foundation they need for kindergarten success through our nature-based, play-centered Pre-K program. Our approach nurtures confident, capable, creative thinkers ready to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.
Located conveniently for Lincoln Village families, our new Stockton campus will be a vibrant learning community where children develop essential skills while experiencing the joy of childhood.
Join Our Lincoln Village Interest List or Schedule an Information Session