Kindergarten
History
First (Scots) Presbyterian Kindergarten is located in the heart of Charleston’s Historic District on the ground of First (Scots) Presbyterian Church. Founded in 1956, First (Scots) Presbyterian Preschool and Kindergarten has provided generations of Charleston’s children an opportunity to develop socially, spiritually, physically, emotionally and intellectually in an atmosphere of Christian love.
First (Scots) Kindergarten welcomes students of any race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin.
Philosophy
At First (Scots), we believe in educating the whole child-socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. Different levels of ability, development and learning styles are both expected and appreciated at First (Scots).
We feel that children can learn in a nurturing, but structured hands-on environment which focuses on learning through playful discovery of their environment and directed instruction.
Curriculum
Our curriculum is created from the best programs available for the education of young children. Each age-level curriculum is designed to meet the developmental needs of children in the class and allow for a more flexible child-centered approach to education. Our teachers strive to present new ideas that build on concepts already familiar to the children, and set forth objectives that encourage them to stretch their experience while still taking joy in the process of learning.
Special Resources
Our children participate weekly in music and library classes as well as Chapel led by a member of the Professional Staff for First (Scots) Presbyterian Church. Children join their classmates throughout the year on field trips to enrich their learning experiences. Visits to the Fire Museum, Charlestowne Landing, the Rabbit Hole at the Charleston Library Society, as well as area historical sites are included in our field trips. In the spring, the Senior Kindergarten students travel by bus to the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia. We have in-school visits from The Charleston Museum and the City of Charleston Environmental Education Department.
Special events including Grandparents & Special Friends Day, Father’s Day Celebration, Mother’s Day Luncheon, Thanksgiving and Christmas programs are held annually. Our year concludes with our Closing Exercises presented by the Senior and Junior Kindergarten classes.
Faculty
First (Scots) faculty members are all experienced, qualified educators. Each year, faculty members attend workshops and conferences held by national acclaimed groups for the education of young children such as The Wright Group, NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children), SECA (Southern Early Childhood Association), SCAEYC (South Carolina Association for the Education of Young Children), and Staff Development Institute, as well as seminars sponsored by local groups.
If you would like more information about the preschool and kindergarten, please contact our Kindergarten Director by email or feel free to call 843-722-8882.