Big Kids (Ages 4 and 5)

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.

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

Ashley Sinead Lawrence
Ashley Sinead Lawrence Lead Teacher
Ashley Sinead Lawrence joined Purple Circle as the Big Kids Lead Teacher in March 2022. She is a native of the Republic of Panama and moved to New York in 2007. She is a bilingual speaker in English and Spanish. She has a passion for other languages and has been learning Korean since 2012. Ashley began her studies at Long Island University where she obtained a BS in Communication Sciences and Disorders. She worked as a Science Educator at the American Museum of Natural History’s Science and Nature Enrichment Program teaching content areas such as Marine Biology, Anthropology, Ornithology and other natural sciences. At AMNH she found her passion for teaching young learners about the world around them. Ashley enrolled into the MSED Early Childhood Special and General Education program at the Bank Street Graduate School of Education and is currently still attending. With her love of language and science she hopes to provide a learning environment where children can explore the natural world freely and confidently; and learn about the cultures of diverse peoples. Her favorite activities to do with the children is singing and identifying the interesting plants and animals they discover throughout their day. Ashley’s hours are 8:30am – 4:00pm.
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.
Keanna Toppin
Keanna ToppinAssistant Teacher / Late Day
Keanna’s hours are 10:00am-6:00pm.

Purple Circle is currently accepting toddler applications for September 2023

VIEW APPLICATION