Preschool Projects at First Place

First Place Scholars have been busy learning and having fun! During Black History Month, they learned about Black inventors and creating their own inventions. Classroom 3 students created their own inventions using items that could be found around their homes and classrooms. The students were giving the instructions to think of an invention, the purpose of their invention,  and then come up with the name for their invention(s). Here are the results.

Classroom 3, had an experiment using eggshells and liquid then predicting how the liquid would affect the eggshells. The eggshells is an example of how the liquids we drink effect our teeth. They learned the importance of brushing their teeth so that the sugar bugs won’t ruin them.

For Dental Hygiene Month Classroom 1 had an Eating healthy Snacks cooking project, then enjoyed eating after making them.

Wrap around Care is a fun place to be, Mrs. Cheryl is holding up the rear of a train our scholars created.

Holiday Cheer 2020

2020 has been quite a year. We recognize the many unique challenges you’ve overcome with distance learning. And we want to take a moment to tell you how much we appreciate you this year, more than ever.

We’re in this together,  and today we want to spread holiday cheer to our families in our community by giving holiday gifts to celebrate the season.

We’re grateful for you and look forward to serving you in 2021. Stay safe, be well, happy holidays and cheers to a brighter tomorrow!

Best wishes,

Carolyn Brown

Early Learning Director

Activities and Activity Supplies Sent to Student Homes

First Place has prioritized the health and safety of all students and staff with the decision to start the school year with an online only curriculum. The teachers log on each day to interact with their students, and offline the families work to do activities to foster what they’ve learned.

So parents and students don’t have to come into the building, the First Place staff will mail activity packets to student homes each month, and they will also receive additional learning activity supplies, so they have access to similar learning tools as they would if they were going to school onsite.

Thank you to our partners at the City of Seattle Department of Early Learning for helping us supply some of the learning activities to send home.

First Place Preschool goes to the Pumpkin Patch

First Place Preschool staff, spent a day at Remlinger’s Farm. During our visit we had our Zoom classroom session.

Our scholars were able to learn about life on the farm, what animals live on the farm, equipment used such as tractors to cultivate the ground to grow vegetables and fruit. We enjoyed the opportunity for our scholars to help us choose a pumpkin to bring home. We had a great time and was glad our little scholars were able to join us by way of Zoom.

Welcome to a New Year at First Place Preschool

Welcome to First Place Preschool!  We are so happy you are joining our virtual learning community.  The first month of virtual learning has went great!

We appreciate the daily support from our families participating in our daily zoom classroom learning times. This school year is certainly different from what we all have experienced in the past and will require some adjustments but we are confident that we will be able to engage and teach our students and have fun at the same time. 

Here are some pictures of some of our scholars picking up their activity backpacks to learn at home.

Carol

End of the Year Celebration

The last day of school is the closing of one door and the opening of another. Thank you to each child for all of the warm memories, and the learning that we shared this year. To the families we say THANK YOU! This past year has been very challenging and we have grown together, I’m sure this will be  a year that we all remember!

First Place Early Learning celebrated the last day of school by rewarding the children with gift bags and backpacks filled with prizes they can enjoy throughout the summer. We were so happy to see you all come to pick up your goodies and the smile that were on your faces were just priceless! For those who are going to kindergarten: go and be great! For the returning scholars we look forward to seeing you in the Fall!

COVID-19 First Place Closed through April 24th

Hi First Place Families,

Along with the Public and Privates schools across the State, First Place Preschool will be closed until April 24th. At this time we are scheduled to reopen on April 27th, however things may continue to change quickly. Please be on the look out for periodic communications from our staff.

If your family relies on the school’s nutrition program, we can assist during this time by continuing to provide lunch for your student who attends First Place.

If your child needs lunch while school is closed, or you have any questions about this closure, please contact the school Administrator Lois Vaughn by email (lvaughn@fpscholars.org), or by phone 206-629-6288. You can also contact Preschool Director, Carolyn Brown (cbrown@fpscholars.org), 206-629-6287.

Things may change quickly over the next weeks and months to meet local and state requirements to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We will communicate if the date that school reopens, or anything else changes.

COVID - 19 First Place Preschool Closed for a Minimum 14 Days

First Place Families,

In response to COVID-19 we have been following the guidance of Public Health Seattle and King County and implementing preventive strategies. In light of Governor Inslee’s request that all citizens practice measures to slow the spread of COVID-19, First Place Preschool will be closed for the next 14 days.

We know that some families rely on the school’s nutrition program. We can assist during this time by continuing to provide lunch for your student who attends First Place.

If you need assistance with lunch while school is closed, please contact the school Administrator Lois Vaughn by email (lvaughn@fpscholars.org), or by phone 206-629-6288.

Things may change quickly over the next weeks and months to meet local and state requirements to reduce the spread of COVID-19. We will communicate if the date that school reopens or anything else changes.

Apple Tasting Project - By Ms. Stacy in Room 2

Apple Tasting Project

One of the many things that I love about being at First Place Early Learning is the children guide their learning. Our Scholars are very curious and asked many questions. When questions are asked instead of answering them right away, we at first place Early Learning Center find ways to explore and let them find the answers for themselves.

Which brought about our Apple tasting project. So, when a student posed the question do all apples taste alike? We created an apple tasting project. First, we bought five different type of apples which varied in colors. Secondly, we show them to the class naming each one. We then revisited the question do all apples taste alike?

We then began Apple tasting investigation. We sliced the apples and let the children taste each apple. After tasting the five apples the question was posed again do all apples taste alike? While there was a resounding no some still sitting yes. They then decided among themselves which apples they like best.

Which caused us to create an apple graph. The children then found the names or wrote their names under the apples that they liked best. A few children then counted and wrote the numbers below to represent which apples were the favorites.

Ms. Stacy

Our Plan for the Year - a Message from the Early Learning Director

This year at First Place Early Learning Center, our goal is to promote every child's individual development using an appropriate mix of learning activities that possess values that encourage educational excellence. We use a research based curriculum that encourage child lead activities that surrounds themes and studies for them to explore.

 While some children may recite their alphabet at age 2, others may not until age 3. While some children may be drawing pictures of trees and people at age 4, others may not do so until age 5.

Why such discrepancies? The reason is that all children grow and develop, for the most part, in the same order but go through the stages at their own pace.

As Early Childhood Educators, it is our responsibility to know the stages children go through at different ages. 

Children grow and develop rapidly in the first five years of life. Every day routines and play times provide rich opportunities for young children to learn.

We are here to support our children with  practical and enjoyable ways to help them learn as they play and explore their world. To guide their play and be creative, while growing up healthy, strong, and happy.

-Carolyn Brown, First Place Early Learning Director

Thank you Seattle Preschool Program!

Seattle Preschool Program has highlighted First Place Preschool as a place for ‘Crayons, Hugs, and Community’. Please read the wonderful article the City of Seattle Department of Education and Early Learning (DEEL) has posted about First Place.

DEEL and First Place partner to provide high quality affordable early learning to Seattle families. Through this partnership First Place has been able expand our excellent preschool and preK programs.

Read the article:

https://education.seattle.gov/crayons-hugs-and-community-first-place-school/