KINDERGARTEN AT THE BAIRD

Kindergarten at The Baird is a private half-day kindergarten program created and taught by Laurie Tyree. Mrs. Tyree is an experienced, state certified teacher with a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and a Masters Degree from Bank Street College of Education in New York City. Before moving to Maplewood Mrs. Tyree taught first grade at The Berkeley Carroll School in Park Slope, Brooklyn. She created and taught Kinderenrichment at The Baird for 8 years prior to teaching Kindergarten at The Baird.

The Kindergarten at The Baird program reflects the belief that a small-group, age-appropriate, play-oriented approach to learning in a half-day setting is the ideal educational environment for young children. Its goal is to nurture each child’s unique perspective of the world, encourage creative expression, instill a love of learning and build the social and academic skills necessary to thrive in First Grade.

The curriculum is in accord with the New Jersey State core curriculum mandate. The curriculum includes reading, writing, literature, math, science, social studies, art, Spanish, drama, music and physical education. Classes are taught in an integrated, multisensory, multiple intelligences format. Children will encounter a wide range of playful learning experiences designed to delight, inform and challenge their imaginations.

Each child will be assessed to determine where they are in the learning process. Instruction in reading and math is differentiated so that each child will be taught what they need and are ready to learn. Assessments are performed three times, in September, January and May. Parents will receive the results of each assessment in the form of a progress report. Parents are encouraged to meet with or speak to Mrs. Tyree at any time during the school year.

The entire staff of Kindergarten at the Baird works together to provide each child with a well-rounded educational kindergarten experience. Having met strict physical site and program content requirements, Kindergarten at The Baird is licensed by the State of New Jersey.

LOCATION

Kindergarten at The Baird is held on the second floor of The Baird, 5 Mead Street, South Orange, New Jersey in an area dedicated and outfitted for the needs of kindergarteners. 

ELIGIBILITY

This program is open to all South Orange and Maplewood children who are of kindergarten age.

CLASS SIZE

There will be no more than eight children per class.

THE SCHEDULE

We offer one class, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 am-12:45 pm. Kindergarten at The Baird typically begins the second full week in September and concludes the first week of June. All parents will receive a school calendar prior to the first day of class.

REGISTRATION

Registration for Kindergarten at The Baird is open to all South Orange and Maplewood families.  Applications will be accepted at the Baird beginning January 2nd. Parents interested in enrolling their children are asked to submit:

• all application forms
• a copy of the child’s birth certificate
• a deposit (non-refundable, if accepted) in the amount of one month’s tuition

 
The initial registration period is January 2nd through the 15th.  Applications are NOT taken first come/first serve. Children currently enrolled in The Baird Preschool four-year-old class will receive priority registration for Kindergarten at The Baird. These families must submit their applications before January 15th. All other applications will then be considered. If the number of applications received through January15th exceeds the number of available spots, a random drawing will be held to determine the order in which children will be enrolled.  Applicants will be notified after the 15th of their child’s registration status.  Once a child is accepted into the program, the deposit is applied immediately to the last month’s tuition of the program year. 

If space is still available after January 15th, applications will continue to be accepted until the class is fully enrolled.

Registration forms and complete program details, including registration dates, application deadlines and fees for the next program year, can be obtained and at The Baird and via the following link - Kindergarten at The Baird.

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