Academics

PreSchool

Hello and Welcome to Ring Mountain Preschool!
My name is Laura Di Stasi and I am the Preschool Director. I have over 20 years experience working in Preschool both as a Teacher and as a Director and I hold a Child Development Program Director's Permit from the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. I am delighted to be a part of Ring Mountain Day School , where children's individuality and the importance of learning through play is valued and encouraged.

Ring Mountain Day School 's nurturing and experienced teachers provide a safe, loving and consistent environment for young children. Each area of the child's development is considered, and many fun and stimulating activities are provided to develop gross and fine motor skills and to foster social and emotional development. Art, drama, music, movement, stories, science, Spanish and active outdoor play are some of the many activities that occur each day. The environment is structured so as to provide a sense of security and order, but within that framework there are choices, so that a child's first experience away from home will be one of feeling secure, happy and independent.

We have an active and involved Parent Association who support the program by planning social events, helping with classroom activities and fundraising. Parents are also welcome to come into the classroom and read stories, help with Art projects or share family traditions around holidays and celebrations.

If you would like more information about the Preschool Program, feel free to call me at: (415) 381-8181 ex 33, or our Admissions Director, Mark Mabry, at (415) 381-8183 ex 35.

Sincerely,
Laura Di Stasi, Preschool Director

Pre-School
Ring Mountain Day School has two preschool classrooms for children that are three years of age in the Fall. The Garden Room enrolls our younger preschoolers while the Cove Room is for our older preschoolers. Preschool children may opt to attend two, three, or five days per week. Both of our Preschool classrooms are well equipped with materials and activities that encourage children to develop their social and emotional skills as well as supporting early literacy, self -help skills, self-confidence and independence. Our Preschool curriculum includes Art, Language Development, Science, early math skills, small and large motor activities, and dramatic play. In addition to these, we have a Spanish Teacher and a Music specialist.

Our program provides a rich environment for learning, both inside and outside the classrooms. Children take pride in planting and working in the garden, enjoy cooking projects and creating wonderful arts and crafts projects. Our goal in the Preschool is to nurture each child's ability to balance the academic, creative, social, emotional and physical aspects of their lives as well as developing their critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Pre-Kindergarten
At Ring Mountain Day School we have two Pre-K classrooms, staffed with experienced, dedicated teachers who understand the importance of a play-based curriculum. Our Pre-K environments support children's expanding interests and abilities by including more varied and complex materials than those used by the younger children. Pre-K children all attend five days a week.

In Pre-K the children begin to recognize the letters of the alphabet and learn some of their names and sounds. They learn about patterns and numbers as a way of introducing math concepts, and they discover fun and creative ways to make all kinds of art. The year before Kindergarten is an important one for gaining confidence and self assurance. Our Pre-K curriculum includes science explorations, literacy, social studies, Spanish, and Music, as well as helping children learn to make choices, explore new ideas, and feel confident and competent in their interactions with others.

Social Development is an important part of the Pre-K curriculum. As a play-based program, we provide children with opportunities to develop their social skills through games and activities. Play involves thinking and problem solving, as well as taking turns, following rules, and learning to be tolerant of others.