The Benefits of Our Small Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Program
Why Our TK Program Is the Right Choice for Your Preschooler
As you begin to consider the next steps in your child’s early education, we want to share with you the unique advantages of our small Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program. We understand how important it is to find the right environment where your child will thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Here is why our small TK program stands out as an excellent choice for your family:
Ratio:
Our small class size allows our teachers to give individualized and personalized attention to every child. We cap our TK class at 18 with a ratio of 1:9. This means your child’s learning style, interests, and specific needs are recognized and supported every single day. With fewer students, teachers can tailor lessons and activities to guide and challenge each child without unrealistic expectations. They will receive both individualized attention and the benefits of working in small groups.
The Gift of Time:
Our program offers custom enrollment options: children can attend 3, 4, or 5 days a week, and choose between 3, 4, or 5 hours per day. We offer a half-day program for families seeking a shorter, more gradual start to the rigors of school. Our program reflects developmental best practices for four and five-year-olds. Although public TK and Kindergarten now only offer full-day programs, we remain committed to following early childhood education research and assisting families who prefer a balanced approach during this brief period in a child’s development.
Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum with a Holistic Approach to Readiness:
Our TK program is intentionally designed to be developmentally appropriate, recognizing that young children learn best through movement, exploration, and hands-on experiences. Before introducing more lengthy and formal seated learning, we prioritize building a strong foundation in social-emotional skills, self-regulation, independence, and curiosity. Our program is dedicated to meeting children exactly where they are in their own individual development. Teachers work closely with each child to set personalized goals for growth, ensuring that every child is prepared in all essential areas—academically, physically, and emotionally—when it’s time for more structured classroom experiences.
Emotional readiness is a central focus, as we guide children in building executive function. We work on cognitive flexibility, inhibitory control, self-regulation tools, independence, and the development of social skills. By emphasizing these essential emotional competencies, we help children build the confidence and resilience needed to navigate new challenges, expectations, and experiences.
Academic readiness is nurtured through scientifically proven play-based methods, building foundational skills in all core academic areas. Our approach ensures that each child develops a strong base in early literacy, math, science, and problem-solving, setting the stage for future academic achievement.
Physical readiness is fostered through hands-on activities designed to build both small and gross motor skills. These experiences provide practical ways for children to gain confidence in movement, coordination, and autonomy with self-care. By building these physical skills, children become more independent and better equipped to actively participate in daily classroom activities.
By approaching each child’s growth in this holistic way, our program not only lays the groundwork for long-term success but also inspires self-confidence and intrinsic motivation. We pride ourselves on teaching to the whole child—the heart, the hands, and the mind—where children develop a lifelong love of learning and a sense that they are valuable contributors.
Strong Teacher-Child Relationships:
In our intimate TK setting, children build meaningful relationships with their teachers. Early Childhood Education is our specific field and our true passion. This nurturing atmosphere helps children feel safe, valued, and understood, which is crucial at this developmental stage. These strong bonds lay the foundation for a love of learning and greater self-confidence. Our TK lead-teacher was a kindergarten teacher for many years and is experienced and knowledgeable as to what a child really needs to be successful in kindergarten and beyond.
Close-Knit Peer Community:
With fewer classmates, your child will have more opportunities to form close friendships and practice important social skills in a supportive and guided environment. Cooperative play, executive functioning, sharing, and problem-solving are all emphasized in our program, helping children develop strong interpersonal skills that will benefit them for years to come.
Smooth Transition to Kindergarten:
Our TK program bridges the gap between preschool and kindergarten by focusing on academic readiness, physical capabilities, and social-emotional growth. In our small group setting, children gain confidence as they learn and grow foundational skills in executive function, literacy, math, writing, science, and communication, all while adjusting to the routines and expectations of a school environment.
Communication:
We believe in partnering with families to support each child’s development. Our small program makes it easy for teachers and parents to build strong relationships and keep communication open. You will receive regular updates on your child’s class activities, the purpose of those activities, and see directly how we use the science of how children learn in our developmentally appropriate curriculum.
We invite you to learn more about our program and see first-hand how our small TK class can make a big difference in your child’s early learning journey. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or to schedule a visit—we look forward to welcoming your family!
The Teddy Bear TK Team
Palo Verde Ave Christian Church Nursery School
Teddy Bear Preschool 