We start early because the early years are incredibly formative, a time when children are developing rapidly and establishing how they learn, communicate, and grow. Stratford’s Early Childhood program is designed to make the most of this important stage.
From early literacy and math to communication and problem-solving, children develop important skills through thoughtful instruction, hands-on experiences, and meaningful practice. Along the way, we nurture curiosity and wonder as students gain independence, strengthen confidence, and begin forming meaningful friendships.
What children experience during these years helps shape how they approach school, new challenges, and the world around them. Each stage builds on the last, helping them move forward with confidence, capability, and a strong sense of what they can do.
Students explore problem-solving exercises with classmates, without a specified outcome or direction from the teacher, where they learn to build, test, fail, and try again.
In SMART circles, Preschool and Pre-kindergarten students learn the fundamentals essential for future success in mathematics.
With a piano in every classroom and specialty music instructors, our preschool students play, sing, and dance daily – developing motor skills, encouraging movement, and instilling an appreciation of the arts.
During daily SMART Phonics lessons, teachers ask critical questions, and utilize visual aids, songs, and movement to keep students engaged.
Explore our Preschool/Pre-K Program and STEAM Curriculum
Early Preschool
Early Preschool
For many children, Early Preschool is their first school experience. Stratford’s program, designed for children ages 2 to 2.5, creates a warm and nurturing introduction to the classroom while building strong early foundations for academic, social, and emotional growth.
Through play, movement, conversation, stories, and hands-on experiences, children develop early literacy, communication, gross motor, self-help, and social skills. Predictable routines and caring teachers help children grow in independence and feel comfortable learning alongside others.
Children do not need to be potty-trained to enroll. Our teachers partner closely with families to support toilet learning at each child’s pace, helping children develop greater independence throughout the year.
Our Pre-kindergarten program, for children ages 4 to 5, builds the academic and social skills students need for a strong start in Kindergarten. Students work with Kindergarten-level phonics and math materials, master letters and sounds, begin blending words, read short books, and strengthen early writing and number sense.
As these early skills come together, children begin to experience the excitement of reading, understanding more, and doing more on their own. That growing confidence helps them approach new ideas with curiosity and gives them a strong base for everything that follows.
These early foundations matter because they give children more ways to understand, communicate, and participate in their learning. As their skills grow, so does their confidence in what they can do next.
Our Preschool program, for children ages 2.5 to 4, builds strong academic and social foundations through joyful, hands-on learning. Students begin developing early literacy skills, including letter and sound recognition, while also building foundational math, science, communication, and problem-solving skills.
These early experiences help children make connections, build confidence, and develop the skills that support future reading, learning, and independence. Art, music, world language, movement, and play are woven throughout the day to create a rich and engaging classroom experience.
Our teachers create a warm, caring environment where students are supported as they grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
Students enrolled in our Preschool program must be potty-trained.
Stratford’s Transitional Kindergarten program gives children the gift of time to grow academically, socially, and personally before entering Kindergarten. Designed for children with birthdays between September 2 and February 2, the program provides a rich year of learning that strengthens early literacy, math, communication, independence, and classroom skills.
With an additional year to deepen understanding, practice new skills, and grow at their own pace, students are able to enter Kindergarten with greater maturity, readiness, and a strong foundation for the years ahead.
Early Childhood
Strong Foundations. A Lifetime of Learning.
We start early because the early years are incredibly formative, a time when children are developing rapidly and establishing how they learn, communicate, and grow. Stratford’s Early Childhood program is designed to make the most of this important stage.
From early literacy and math to communication and problem-solving, children develop important skills through thoughtful instruction, hands-on experiences, and meaningful practice. Along the way, we nurture curiosity and wonder as students gain independence, strengthen confidence, and begin forming meaningful friendships.
What children experience during these years helps shape how they approach school, new challenges, and the world around them. Each stage builds on the last, helping them move forward with confidence, capability, and a strong sense of what they can do.
Students explore problem-solving exercises with classmates, without a specified outcome or direction from the teacher, where they learn to build, test, fail, and try again.
In SMART circles, Preschool and Pre-kindergarten students learn the fundamentals essential for future success in mathematics.
With a piano in every classroom and specialty music instructors, our preschool students play, sing, and dance daily – developing motor skills, encouraging movement, and instilling an appreciation of the arts.
During daily SMART Phonics lessons, teachers ask critical questions, and utilize visual aids, songs, and movement to keep students engaged.
Explore our Preschool/Pre-K Program and STEAM Curriculum
Early Preschool
For many children, Early Preschool is their first school experience. Stratford’s program, designed for children ages 2 to 2.5, creates a warm and nurturing introduction to the classroom while building strong early foundations for academic, social, and emotional growth.
Through play, movement, conversation, stories, and hands-on experiences, children develop early literacy, communication, gross motor, self-help, and social skills. Predictable routines and caring teachers help children grow in independence and feel comfortable learning alongside others.
Children do not need to be potty-trained to enroll. Our teachers partner closely with families to support toilet learning at each child’s pace, helping children develop greater independence throughout the year.
View our sample daily schedule.
Pre-Kindergarten
Our Pre-kindergarten program, for children ages 4 to 5, builds the academic and social skills students need for a strong start in Kindergarten. Students work with Kindergarten-level phonics and math materials, master letters and sounds, begin blending words, read short books, and strengthen early writing and number sense.
As these early skills come together, children begin to experience the excitement of reading, understanding more, and doing more on their own. That growing confidence helps them approach new ideas with curiosity and gives them a strong base for everything that follows.
These early foundations matter because they give children more ways to understand, communicate, and participate in their learning. As their skills grow, so does their confidence in what they can do next.
View our sample daily schedule.
Preschool
Our Preschool program, for children ages 2.5 to 4, builds strong academic and social foundations through joyful, hands-on learning. Students begin developing early literacy skills, including letter and sound recognition, while also building foundational math, science, communication, and problem-solving skills.
These early experiences help children make connections, build confidence, and develop the skills that support future reading, learning, and independence. Art, music, world language, movement, and play are woven throughout the day to create a rich and engaging classroom experience.
Our teachers create a warm, caring environment where students are supported as they grow academically, socially, and emotionally.
Students enrolled in our Preschool program must be potty-trained.
View our sample daily schedule.
Transitional Kindergarten
Stratford’s Transitional Kindergarten program gives children the gift of time to grow academically, socially, and personally before entering Kindergarten. Designed for children with birthdays between September 2 and February 2, the program provides a rich year of learning that strengthens early literacy, math, communication, independence, and classroom skills.
With an additional year to deepen understanding, practice new skills, and grow at their own pace, students are able to enter Kindergarten with greater maturity, readiness, and a strong foundation for the years ahead.
View our sample daily schedule.