Preschool Program

Where Kindergarten Readiness Looks Like Pure Joy

Our preschool program proves that rigorous learning and joyful play are the same thing. Grounded in the Creative Curriculum, we build the whole child — academically, socially, emotionally, and physically.

Ages 3 – 4 Years Creative Curriculum 1:10 Teacher Ratio Kindergarten Readiness Assessments
Book a Tour Start Enrollment
1:10
Teacher-to-Child Ratio
CC
Creative Curriculum Aligned
6
Learning Centers Per Room
K-Ready
Assessment Each Semester
Program Overview

The Creative Curriculum Difference

The Creative Curriculum is the gold standard in early childhood education — research-proven, comprehensive, and built on how young children actually learn best.

"A child who loves learning at four will love learning at forty. That's what we're building here — a lifelong relationship with curiosity."
— Preschool Lead Teacher, Dixon Academy Charlotte

Play-Based Learning That Prepares for Life

The research is clear: children learn best through active, meaningful, play-based experiences. Our preschool rooms are set up with six rich learning centers — blocks, dramatic play, toys & games, art, library, and discovery — each aligned to developmental objectives from the Creative Curriculum framework.

Teachers observe, document, and intentionally extend learning through carefully planned activities and in-the-moment teaching. Children gain literacy foundations, mathematical thinking, scientific inquiry habits, and social-emotional skills — all while believing they're just having fun.

What Your Child Will Build in Preschool

  • Pre-literacy skills — phonological awareness, letter recognition, print concepts, and a genuine love of books and storytelling.
  • Math foundations — counting, patterns, shapes, measurement, and number sense through hands-on, meaningful activities.
  • Social-emotional competence — naming feelings, conflict resolution, friendship skills, and self-regulation strategies that matter in every classroom and beyond.
  • Fine & gross motor development — pencil grip, scissor skills, cutting, drawing, running, jumping, and the coordination needed for kindergarten success.
  • Kindergarten readiness assessment — bi-annual reviews track progress across all domains; shared with families in detailed conferences.
Learning Areas

Six Centers, Infinite Possibilities

Each learning center in our preschool rooms is intentionally designed to support multiple developmental domains at once.

📚

Library & Literacy Corner

Cozy reading nooks, diverse book collections, and interactive phonics materials build print awareness, vocabulary, and a love of reading that lasts a lifetime.

🎨

Art Studio

Open-ended art materials invite children to express, create, and develop fine motor skills — with process always valued over product.

🌟

Discovery & Science

Magnifying glasses, nature specimens, simple experiments, and sensory exploration build the scientific inquiry habits that support critical thinking in every subject for the rest of their lives.

🥤

Dramatic Play — Where Learning Gets Real

The kitchen, the hospital, the grocery store — dramatic play centers are where children process their world, build vocabulary, practice cooperation, develop emotional literacy, and prepare for the complex social situations of kindergarten and beyond. Research consistently shows this as one of the highest-value learning centers in early childhood.

🧩

Math & Manipulatives

Counting bears, pattern blocks, puzzles, and sorting games build concrete mathematical understanding that makes abstract concepts click later.

Preschool children smiling
Kindergarten Ready

They'll Walk Into Kindergarten Ready to Lead

Our preschool graduates don't just meet kindergarten standards — they exceed them. Dixon Academy children arrive in kindergarten with strong self-regulation, a love of reading and stories, number sense, and the confidence to raise their hand, make new friends, and take on challenges.

We track developmental milestones across 38 objectives from the Creative Curriculum and share detailed progress reports with families twice a year — so you always know exactly where your child is thriving and where we're focusing our support.

See Our Preschool in Action
Daily Schedule

A Balanced Day Designed for Growth

Our full-day preschool schedule balances structured learning, child-led exploration, outdoor time, rest, and everything in between.

7:00 – 9:00 AM
Arrival & Morning Exploration — Independent choice time in learning centers; teachers greet each child individually and conduct observations.
9:00 – 9:30 AM
Morning Meeting — Circle time: calendar, weather, morning message, read-aloud, songs, and setting intentions for the day.
9:30 – 11:15 AM
Learning Center Time — Child-directed exploration across all six centers with intentional teacher facilitation, small group instruction, and skills practice.
11:15 AM – 12:30 PM
Outdoor Play & Lunch — Large motor development on outdoor equipment. Family-style lunch with conversation and social skill building.
12:30 – 2:30 PM
Rest & Quiet Activities — Rest period with individual books or quiet activities for non-nappers.
2:30 – 6:00 PM
Afternoon Enrichment — STEM projects, art, music, additional outdoor time, snack. Closing circle and dismissal with daily report.
Preschool at Dixon Academy

Learning That Looks Like This

Preschool dance Preschool friends Teacher art activity Circle time

Your Preschooler's Best Year Starts Here

Enrollment is open now. Come visit, meet our teachers, and see why Dixon Academy preschool families keep coming back — year after year, child after child.

Book a Tour Enroll Now