Our Classes
At FELP, it is a long standing tradition of grouping the children by age, and in many cases by birthdays as well. For example, by recognizing that a just turned 3 year old and a child almost 4 are at different stages of development, we can set children up for success, and for the chance to lead as well as follow. This allows our teachers to create age appropriate plans that meet their needs. In all our classes the teacher to student ratio is kept low, so that teachers can connect with and know each student.
We believe that each child should have time to exercise, enjoy the outdoors, explore nature, and have time to play and run. Each day, all classes spend time on our playground, complete with a big sandbox, places to climb, monkey bars, tunnels, slides, swing, and a play house. The children make mulch pies, dig tunnels, watch bugs, chase, climb and skip. When the weather does not permit us to go outdoors, we take the students to Fellowship Hall, which is a large indoor space where children can ride trikes, climb, tumble on mats, walk the balance beam, and more. While we love to be outside, the children have come to enjoy rainy days when they can try different equipment.
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NEW FOR 2023: Observation Class (1.5 - 3 Years Old, with caregiver)
A one-hour, caregiver and child class on Fridays for 1.5 to 3 year olds, alternately facilitated by Amber Wilke and Jenny Barrett, to give families an introduction to FELP and the ways that we incorporate the Mariposa Method in a classroom setting.
Two’s
Learning happens through reading, singing and playing. Children learn to play well with friends, share toys, express ideas, listen to a story in a group, and resolve conflicts peacefully.
Seedlings (2 day 2s)
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:15 to 11:15.
Children must be two by September 1
Two teachers with 10 children.
Three’s
Children begin to expand their ability to play with others, to listen in a group to new ideas, to try new projects, and to look beyond themselves to learn about the natural world. They work on art projects, play games, complete puzzles, and learn new things each day. They begin to make plans for their days and love to make choices in their classrooms such as pretend play, painting, sharing toys, using play-dough or blocks or beginning a parade. Teachers plan hands on activities to spark interest, expand language, and encourage new thinking.
Pebbles (2 day 3s)
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9-11:45.
Children with late summer or fall birthdays who are 3 by December 31st
Two teachers with 12 children.
Buds (3 day 3s)
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9-11:45.
Children who turn 3 in late Spring through the end of summer.
Two teachers with 12 children.
Dewdrops (3 day 3s)
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9-11:45.
Children who turned 3 in January through Spring.
Two teachers with 12 children.
Four’s
The four-year-olds become much more expansive in their play and creativity. We see large group projects and play. Fine motor tasks become more involved and friendships are more solidly formed. Four-year-olds continue to receive guidance and help to play kindly, inclusively and fairly. Teachers build many activities around the letters of the alphabet to introduce those who are ready to learn letters and their sounds. Each activity is meaningful on its own.The day is still focused on play and many of the 4’s are more excited about the dinosaur activities than they are about the fact that it begins with “D.” Science concepts are introduced including seasons, life cycles, and the properties of matter. These children begin to learn about their larger community and cover a wide range of numeric concepts. Four year olds are offered many opportunities to experiment, create, build, and problem solve.
River Rocks (4 day 4s)
Monday through Thursday from 9-12.
Children who turn 4 in the fall and are 4 by December.
If there is sufficient interest and readiness a plus friday option may be available.
Two teachers with 12 children.
This group often attended our 2 day 3’s class the previous year.
Sprouts (5 day 4s)
Monday through Friday from 9-12
Children who have birthdays in the late spring and summer and turn 4 just before school begins.
Two teachers with 12 children.
Raindrops (5 day 4s)
Monday through Friday 9-12.
Children who have birthdays in January through Spring
Two teachers with 12 children.
Kindergarten
Oaks
Full day option: Monday through Thursday 9-2:15, Fridays 9-12:00
Half day option: Monday through Friday 9-12:00
Children must have their fifth birthday between January and December of the calendar year in which they begin school.
Class size is limited to 20 students with 3 teachers
The Kindergarten is a special place where children can still play, be creative and spend lots of time outdoors. However, they are also beginning to read through phonics instruction, repetitive books, and sight words. Interesting stories are read and explored. The children have opportunities for dramatic play on their own and to act out stories with the class. The science program includes reading and real life experiences. Math covers a wide range of skills including number awareness, counting, place value, shapes, time, money, addition, patterns and more. All of these skills are provided in hands on activities with opportunities to make choices and be creative.
Our students move on to both private and public schools. They leave First English to attend 1st grade, pre-first, or an older kindergarten upon graduation depending on their birthdays and the policies of the accepting schools. The teachers and administration work with the area private schools to complete referrals and schedule observations as needed
Lunch Bunch
Lunch Bunch is an extension of the morning program and is offered to the 3’s, 4’s and Kindergarten until 2:15 Monday through Thursday. Children bring their own lunch. They eat, play outdoors, and have free play along with a special project, game, gross motor activity, or music. While Kindergarten and Preschoolers may enjoy outdoor time together, the preschoolers work and play in one room and the kindergarteners do so in their regular room.
The cost is $24/day for Kindergarten and $22/day for preschool. There are discounts available for more than one sibling and for multiple days. For a one day sign up, the cost is $26 for kindergarten and $24 for preschool. We request notice and registration a day ahead. If you need to sign up in an “emergency situation”, please call the office to be sure space is available. We cannot guarantee space is available.
Aftercare
Aftercare picks up where afternoon kindergarten or lunch bunch ends at 2:15 and goes till 5pm on Tuesday and Wednesday only. FELP aftercare mimics the kinds of things that kids do after school if they are at home around the neighborhood. The children will have a rest time as required by MSDE as well as a snack and time to play indoors and out. This program is a pleasant, playful and restful afternoon.
Early Drop Off
Children who are signed up for early drop off meet in the library at 8:30 with two FELP teachers where they read, draw and chat until school begins.
Special Classes
Art
The classrooms and hallways are often full of artistic creations by children. They love to paint, glue, draw, cut, tape, and more. Once a week the 3s, 4s and Kindergarten classes work with our art teacher. They work with a variety of mediums including paint, clay, weaving materials, charcoal, pastels and more. The process is more important than the product and the child is able to express their own ideas. They keep a portfolio of their work and in the Spring, we celebrate and review the work in our annual art show.
