Our 4-Year-Old Pre-K / Junior Kindergarten class at New Discoveries Early Learning Center is designed to help children build the academic, social, and emotional skills they need to confidently transition into kindergarten.
Located in Andover, Kansas, our preschool serves families from Andover, east Wichita, Derby, Augusta, and surrounding communities who are looking for a nurturing, academically focused early learning environment.
This program focuses on strengthening independence, expanding early academic skills, and helping children grow in confidence as learners. Through engaging lessons, hands-on activities, and meaningful interactions with teachers and classmates, children develop the foundation needed for success in elementary school.
What Children Learn in Junior Kindergarten
Our Pre-Kindergarten program helps children develop important skills across several key areas of growth. Teachers guide students through structured activities that encourage learning, exploration, and problem solving.
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Social and Emotional Development
Children continue strengthening their ability to work and learn in a group setting while building confidence and independence.
Skills practiced include:
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Cooperating and sharing with classmates
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Taking turns and participating in group activities
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Solving simple social problems independently
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Developing empathy and kindness toward others
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Building strong friendships and classroom relationships
These experiences help children feel comfortable and confident in a classroom environment.
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Independence and Self-Reliance
One of the major goals of Pre-K is helping children grow in independence as they prepare for kindergarten routines.
Students are encouraged to:
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Follow classroom routines
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Manage personal belongings
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Complete simple tasks independently
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Take responsibility for classroom materials
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Develop confidence in trying new challenges
These skills help children transition smoothly into kindergarten expectations.
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Early Reading and Literacy Skills
In our Junior Kindergarten classroom, children begin developing strong early literacy skills that prepare them for future reading success.
Students practice:
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Recognizing and writing their name
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Identifying letters and the sounds they make
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Listening to stories and answering questions
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Rhyming and word recognition activities
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Expanding vocabulary and sentence structure
These early reading experiences help build a strong foundation for kindergarten literacy.
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Math Readiness
Our Pre-K program introduces early math concepts through hands-on learning and exploration.
Children begin developing skills such as:
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Recognizing numbers up to 20
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Counting objects and understanding quantities
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Identifying shapes and colors
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Sorting and grouping objects
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Comparing numbers using greater than, less than, and equal concepts
These foundational math skills help children feel confident as they begin formal math learning in kindergarten.
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Cognitive Development
In addition to academic skills, students develop important cognitive abilities that strengthen memory, attention, and reasoning.
Students practice:
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Stating their first and last name
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Knowing their birthday
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Reciting the days of the week and months of the year
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Following multi-step directions
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Participating in classroom discussions and activities
These skills support both academic learning and everyday classroom routines.
A Faith-Based Learning Environment
As a Christian preschool, New Discoveries Early Learning Center believes in nurturing both the mind and the heart.
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Children are introduced to age-appropriate Bible stories, songs, and lessons that encourage:
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Kindness
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Gratitude
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Respect for others
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Strong moral character
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Our goal is to help children grow academically while also developing values that guide them throughout life.
A Typical Day in the Pre-K Classroom
Our daily schedule provides a balance of structured learning and play-based exploration.
A typical day may include:
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Morning welcome and signing in by writing their name
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Circle time with songs, stories, and learning activities
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Early literacy and math lessons
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Creative art and hands-on learning centers
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Outdoor play and movement activities
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Snack and social time
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Group projects and collaborative learning
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This balanced approach keeps children engaged while helping them develop important learning skills.
Preparing for Kindergarten
The 4-Year-Old Pre-K / Junior Kindergarten class plays a critical role in preparing children for kindergarten. By the end of the year, students have developed stronger academic skills, increased independence, and the confidence needed to thrive in a school setting.
Many parents find that this year of focused preparation allows their child to enter kindergarten feeling ready, capable, and excited about learning.
Schedule a private tour
The best way to see if New Discoveries Early Learning Center is the right fit for your family is to visit us in person. During your tour, you’ll have the opportunity to explore our classrooms, learn more about our preschool programs, and meet the caring teachers who make our school such a special place. We’re happy to answer any questions and help you determine if our Andover preschool is the right place for your child to grow, learn, and thrive.