Raspberries

18-23 mos

Our youngest berries are 18-23 months old and meet at our Calvary location. Children this age are eager to learn and explore new environments. We provide a variety of activities to capture their young minds and interests during discovery times, projects and free play. Our teacher/student ratio is 1:5 which allows for individual and small group interactions. During this year, your child will grow in the ability to separate, show confidence in the classroom and make new friends.

Huckleberries

Age 2

Our two year olds, children 24-35 months of age, are experiencing an important stage of development: They are beginning to become more independent and inquisitive. Our teacher/student ratio of 1:7 provides individual attention and guidance during discovery times, projects and free play. During this year, your child will grow in his or her ability to listen, share and develop independence skills.

Blueberries

Age 3

Our three-year-old students are bursting with excitement and curiosity. The classroom and schedule are structured to meet the needs of this age group with a teacher/student ratio of 1:10. This year is a big one for your child as he or she expands knowledge of the alphabet and numbers, communicates thoughts and feelings through writing projects and Show & Tell, and develops friendships.

Strawberries

Age 4

This is the year our students eagerly anticipate—becoming a Strawberry as a four year old! We offer 3, 4, and 5-day pre-K programs for this age group. Children are now showing more independence, and their intelligence is expanding as they learn to communicate successfully and work well both independently and within groups. The Strawberries’ portfolios become more comprehensive during this final year of preschool, as our teachers assist them in developing the skills needed to transition seamlessly into kindergarten. A full-day Strawberry program is available at our Calvary location.

Music

We have our own music teacher who holds weekly music classes for all age groups. Miss Kristin loves introducing children to a wide range of music genres, allowing them to explore a variety of musical instruments, and incorporating creative movement in her weekly lessons. Children perform Christmas and end-of-year concerts.

Spanish

The Berry Patch offers monthly Spanish classes for all of our students. Classes are taught by Zara Guevara—originally from Lima, Peru. Children are immersed in Spanish once a month for 20-30 minutes, depending on age. Our classes empower children to acquire the language by natural comprehension and communication through games, music and other fun activities.

Field Trips

We believe field trips are an important component to our program. They give the children opportunities to explore their communities and expand their surroundings. Our Blueberries and Strawberries take several field trips throughout the year to locations related to our monthly themes, and special guests are invited in to share their expertise about the subjects we are studying.

Children Serving Others

Another way we help your student pursue a holistic education is through our outreach program, Children Serving Others (CSO). This program allows children to learn the importance of reaching out to others in our community and around the world through service projects. Our objective with CSO is to help each child learn to become other-focused, rather than self-focused.

Lunch Bunch

Lunch Bunch Is offered from 12:00-1:00 p.m. daily to all students, and is an opportunity for children to bring their own lunches and dine with friends. It is a social time where a meal is enjoyed together and table manners are taught in a loving way.

PM Playmates

This optional program is offered from 1:00-3:00 p.m. to children ages 3-5, allowing them an extended playtime with school friends. A quiet story time gives some rest and relaxation, and project time encourages creativity while free choice time offers the opportunity to develop friendships.

Afternoon Adventures

Afternoon Adventures are offered once a month from 1:00-3:00 p.m. These afternoons will offer unique adventures in learning, playing, exercising and creating! Some of the experiences children have enjoyed include a visit from special reptiles, imaginative art projects with professionals, balloon art, face painting, story telling, magic shows, and time with athletic “experts.” These are fun ways for students to experience something distinct and spend the afternoon with friends.

Partnerships

The Berry Patch offers three 8-week partnerships throughout the year. These partnerships with premier Twin Cities organizations are designed to expose preschool children to outstanding programs in the arts and sciences. These partnerships are offered once a week each fall, winter and spring from 1:00–3:00 p.m. All Blueberries and Strawberries are invited to participate.

French Fridays

The Berry Patch has partnered with Concordia Language Villages to create an exciting and developmentally appropriate language immersion option for your child. We call this our French Friday Program. Parents may enroll their three, four and five year olds to participate on Friday mornings.

Parent & Family Education

As a Berry Patch family, you have access to a licensed Parent and Family Educator as part of the program. We are delighted to have Becky Danielson, M.Ed., on staff and available to you for one-on-one conversations, and both small and large group discussions at no additional charge. The monthly parent and family education newsletter is a wonderful resource for parents too.

Camp Sizzle Berry

Attending Camp Sizzle Berry is an exciting way for current students, incoming students and children who live in the area to enjoy a dynamic summer experience. This camp is staffed by our exceptional teachers who love and nurture children throughout the school year and look forward to creating new and fun programs for the summer.