Big Kids (Pre-Kindergarten)

Our Big Kids serves children who are 3 years 9 months – 5 years old when the school year begins in September.

As a community of learners, our preschoolers have a variety of opportunities to explore their environment both indoors and outside.

The materials in the classroom offer children the chance to engage in learning possibilities through the use of block building, painting and drawing, stories, social studies, science experiments and neighborhood community walks.

Children are encouraged to pursue their interests and investigations with the support of their teachers. Through observation and documentation, the teachers recognize the child’s strengths, relationships with others and interests as a foundation from which to extend learning. The ideas and interests of children are transformed into the daily curriculum in a meaningful way.

The placement of children into a specific classroom is completely at the discretion of the School Director and is non-negotiable. For older preschoolers, final class placement in Middle Kids 2 or Big Kids is made by the School Director after she speaks with the parent(s). Parents can inquire with the school prior to acceptance about potential classroom placement. We believe that children benefit from the yearlong friendships and care that they receive from consistent primary caregiving in the same classroom for 12 months. All children, even infants, begin the school year together in September and remain together as a cohort through the following August. Since our care is based on a year-long curriculum children are never moved to a new classroom midyear, even if children age into a new classroom.

Purple Circle offers families the following Monday through Friday programs, year round, providing four options parents can choose from to meet their unique needs:

  • 8:30am – 1:50pm
  • 8:30am – 4:00pm
  • 8:30am – 6:00pm
  • 2:10pm – 6:00pm

There is also an early morning drop-off option available each day at 8:00am.

A predictable routine helps children develop a sense of competence and involvement in their world. For preschoolers, our schedule varies according to season and children’s and teachers’ needs. Below is a general schedule of daily events.

MORNING:
8:30am – 9am
Arrival

9am – 10am
Free Play, Morning Group Meeting, Circle Time, Music or Story Sharing, Snack

10am – 11am
Outdoor Play

11am – 12pm
Story, Lunch

12pm – 1:30pm
Rest Time

AFTERNOON:
1:30pm – 2pm
Wake Up, Snack

1:50pm – 2:10pm
Dismissal and Arrival

2pm – 3pm
Afternoon Group Meeting, Circle Time, Music or Story Sharing, Free Play

3pm-4pm
Dismissal

4pm-6pm “Late Day”
Snack, Free Play, Story Sharing

A LOOK INSIDE BIG KIDS

MEET THE BIG KIDS TEACHERS

Haley Costa
Haley CostaLead Teacher
Haley Costa (She/Her) is excited to start her first year here at Purple Circle! She has always had a passion and love for working with children. She received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood from SUNY Fredonia. She has a Masters in Mental Health and Wellness from Grand Canyon University. She also has her Professional Certification in Early Childhood Birth-2nd grade. Haley grew up on Long Island and moved to the city a little over five years ago. She had the opportunity to work at a preschool, working with toddlers and then moving to an infant classroom. When the pandemic hit, Haley had the opportunity to go back to work and help care for hospital workers’ children. During this time, she worked with a group of four and five-year-olds. Once the school could welcome their families back, she worked with the twos and then became the Education Director. Haley is now very excited to be back in the classroom and work as the Lead Teacher in the Big Kids classroom!

Haley is looking forward to bringing her love for helping children grow and learn to the classroom through art, science, reading, and play!

Evelyn Espinoza
Evelyn EspinozaAssistant Teacher
Evelyn Espinoza was born and raised in the heights in NYC. She is bilingual, fluent in both Spanish and English, but also can communicate using ASL! Evelyn holds a BA in Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Early Childhood from Lehman College. She has been working in early childhood education since 2012 and has worked in both private and public settings. Evelyn previously worked at the Bank Street Family Center, Goddard Riverside ECC, and at Bank Street Head Start. During the six years at the family center, she worked as a teacher’s aide and then a paraprofessional with a child with special needs. At Goddard Riverside ECC worked as a Floater Lead Teacher with the 2’s, 3s and Pre-K classroom. Went on to work as an Assistant Teacher with Pre-K and 3’s teacher at Bank Street Head Start. She is skilled in using a communication device. Her other experiences include nannying for a variety of families and working in different communities. Evelyn is currently working on getting certification in Early Childhood Education Birth-2 grade. Evelyn enjoys bonding with children by teaching children about the world around them and motivating them to learn through their play and strengths. Evelyn’s hours are 8:30am – 4:00pm.
Katherine Williams
Katherine WilliamsAssistant Teacher
Katherine is so excited to start her first year at Purple Circle in the Big Kids classroom. Before Purple Circle, she has worked in the 4s room at the Church of the Epiphany Day School (CEDS) for the past two years. Katherine holds a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Hunter College. She has always enjoyed working with children, starting in high school with baby caring and teaching swim lessons. Katherine’s hours are 10:00-6:00pm.

Application information

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