Preparing Preschoolers for a Smooth Start Next Fall

As we approach the end of the school year, we’ve been reflecting on just how much growth we’ve seen in your children. From first friendships to growing independence, from learning to express big feelings to becoming part of a classroom community, this year has been full of meaningful moments.

And in many ways, the most important growth doesn’t happen through direct instruction alone. It happens in the everyday moments, as children begin to take ownership, navigate challenges, and build independence.

As we look ahead, we want to give you a clearer picture of what this next stage of development often brings and how we continue to support each child with intention and care.

At Woodland Hills Private School, our play-based, emergent approach means we meet children where they are, while thoughtfully guiding them toward the skills that help them thrive socially, emotionally, and academically. Each stage brings new opportunities for independence, connection, and confidence.

🌱 Terrific Twos: Exploring the World with Support and Security ＋

Our Twos are at such a special stage. They are curious, eager, and just beginning to discover their independence, all while still needing strong connections, reassurance, and predictable routines.

This stage often includes a push and pull between wanting independence and needing adult support. In the year ahead, you may begin to see your child:

• Growing more comfortable separating from caregivers with support
• Starting to follow simple classroom routines
• Using gestures, sounds, and emerging words to communicate needs
• Playing alongside peers and beginning to notice others
• Experiencing big emotions and looking to adults for support

In the classroom, we focus on:

• Creating a warm, nurturing environment where children feel safe
• Building consistent routines that help children feel secure
• Supporting early communication and emotional expression
• Gently helping children begin to engage with peers

How you can support at home:

• Keep routines consistent, especially around meals, bedtime, and transitions
• Offer simple choices to build confidence and independence
• Talk through daily experiences and label emotions
• Practice short, positive separations when possible
• Read, sing, and talk together often, since language grows through connection

🌼 Thriving Threes: Building Independence, Friendships, and Confidence ＋

The Threes years bring exciting growth. Children are becoming more independent, more expressive, and more interested in building relationships with their peers.

This is also an important transition year. For children who will turn four by September 1, families will eventually have two possible paths after the Threes program: ETK within our preschool program or TK within our elementary program. Both are strong options, and part of our role is to help families understand the differences and determine which setting best fits their child’s development and readiness.

Early in the Threes year, typically in October, we invite families to information sessions where we walk through ETK and TK, explain the differences between the programs, and answer questions about next steps.

During this stage, children often begin to:

• Join group routines and activities with more consistency
• Engage in cooperative play and form early friendships
• Express needs, ideas, and feelings more clearly
• Work through frustration with support, not avoidance
• Take greater ownership of self-help skills

In the classroom, we focus on:

• Supporting children as active members of a group
• Strengthening communication and expressive language
• Guiding social interactions and problem-solving
• Encouraging independence in everyday routines

How you can support at home:

• Encourage independence with getting dressed, cleaning up, and toileting routines
• Give simple directions and allow time for follow-through
• Create opportunities for social interaction with peers
• Model calm, supportive responses to big emotions
• Keep routines predictable, especially around transitions

Readiness Resource:
Families entering the Threes program can review our Developmental Readiness Indicators for Threes.

🌟 ETK: Growing Confidence, Responsibility, and School Readiness ＋

In our ETK classrooms, children are stepping into a new level of independence and awareness. They are capable, curious, and increasingly confident in themselves and their relationships.

ETK is part of our preschool program and is designed for children who are ready for more responsibility, more sustained group participation, and a stronger bridge toward kindergarten readiness while still benefiting from the developmental approach of early childhood education.

At this level, children are increasingly able to:

• Follow multi-step directions more independently
• Participate actively and confidently in group learning
• Navigate friendships and solve problems with peers
• Express thoughts and ideas in more detailed ways
• Take responsibility for routines and classroom expectations

In the classroom, we focus on:

• Building the social and emotional foundations for kindergarten
• Supporting self-regulation and flexible thinking
• Encouraging responsibility and independence
• Fostering strong communication and a love of learning

For children who turn four by September 1, some families may also consider TK within our elementary program. When that is the right pathway to explore, our team helps families understand the differences between ETK and TK, and a readiness evaluation is part of the TK application process.

How you can support at home:

• Encourage independence in daily routines
• Practice listening and following multi-step directions
• Support problem-solving by asking open-ended questions
• Read together daily and engage in meaningful conversations
• Maintain consistent routines to support confidence and readiness

Readiness Resource:
Families entering ETK can review our Developmental Readiness Indicators for ETK.

🤝 Our Partnership with You ＋

At the heart of everything we do is partnership. We know that each child develops in their own time and in their own way, and we are here to support that journey with care, clarity, and intention.

If a child needs additional support along the way, we approach those moments thoughtfully and collaboratively, sharing observations, aligning strategies, and working closely with families to ensure each child feels successful, supported, and understood.

When families are preparing for a new program level or considering next steps, our goal is not simply to move children forward. It is to help each child move forward in the environment where they can feel confident, connected, and ready to grow.

💛 Looking Ahead Together ＋

Thank you for being such an important part of our community. Your trust, communication, and partnership are what make this work possible.

We’re excited for the year ahead and for all the growth, independence, connection, and joy that is still to come.