Early Childhood Curriculum

Nurturing Young Learners with Faith, Fun, and Foundational Skills

At St. Bernadette School, our Early Childhood Program lays the foundation for a lifetime of joyful learning. Serving children in Preschool, Pre-K, and Kindergarten, our program combines a faith-filled environment with purposeful, play-based instruction that meets and exceeds the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Guidelines and Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks. Our youngest learners thrive in a dedicated Early Childhood Center that is both developmentally appropriate and thoughtfully designed to foster independence, curiosity, and kindness.

 

A Purposefully Designed Space

Just steps away from the main school building, our Early Childhood Center provides a warm, welcoming, and secure environment tailored to the needs of young children. Bright classrooms, cozy reading nooks, imaginative play areas, and age-appropriate technology all support a variety of learning styles and developmental stages. This close yet separate setting allows for daily routines and instruction that are structured and supportive, while also creating opportunities for gentle connections with older students during shared activities, fostering a strong sense of community and belonging.

A Faith-Filled Beginning

Faith is woven into the fabric of every day in our Early Childhood classrooms. Children learn about God’s love through age-appropriate Bible stories, songs, simple prayers, and seasonal celebrations that reflect the Catholic faith. We emphasize kindness, sharing, gratitude, and empathy—instilling Gospel values in ways young learners can understand and apply. Our goal is to help children see themselves as part of a loving community rooted in faith.

Learning Through Play and Purpose

Our early childhood curriculum is aligned with Massachusetts standards, ensuring that students meet key developmental milestones in language, literacy, math, and social-emotional learning. Through hands-on activities, guided exploration, and purposeful play, students build:

• Literacy Skills: Letter recognition, phonemic awareness, early writing, and vocabulary development through storytelling, songs, and interactive reading.
• Math Concepts: Number sense, patterns, shapes, and basic operations introduced through games, manipulatives, and real-life scenarios.
• Science Exploration: Observation, questioning, and discovery in the natural world, laying the groundwork for STEM-based thinking.
• Fine & Gross Motor Development: Cutting, drawing, building, climbing, dancing, and outdoor play to strengthen coordination and confidence.
• Social-Emotional Growth: Learning to cooperate, communicate, self-regulate, and solve problems in a caring classroom community.

Supportive Educators and Strong Communication

Our highly trained and certified teachers understand the unique needs of young learners and create classrooms where every child feels seen, heard, and supported. Small class sizes allow for individualized attention and a close partnership with families. Regular communication—through newsletters, updates, photos, and events—keeps parents informed and engaged in their child’s learning journey.

Preparing for a Bright Future

Students leave our Early Childhood Program ready for success in primary school and beyond. They transition smoothly into first grade with strong academic skills, a love of learning, and the social-emotional readiness to thrive in a structured classroom. More importantly, they move forward grounded in faith, guided by values, and confident in their abilities.

The Early Childhood years at St. Bernadette School are joyful, faith-filled, and filled with wonder. We invite you to visit our classrooms and see firsthand how we nurture the minds and hearts of our youngest students.