Water Unit: Floating & Sinking

 In a caring, supportive, clean & safe environment, we teach your child the skills & confidence to make a smooth and successful transition to Kindergarten, taking into consideration different learning styles and diversity, while striving to create a close knit classroom community.

The children will learn to share, cooperate & resolve issues in a gentle manner with experienced role models as they develop their social and emotional & problem solving skills.

"It has been my joy to teach young children for 20 plus years & provide them with the knowledge & tools to succeed in all areas & most importantly, to develop a love of learning."

We provide a multi-age program. This takes into consideration children's natural diversity.
​The curriculum follows Virginia's Foundation Blocks for Early Learning (Pre-K)  and
Virginia's Milestones of Child Development. (3 years) 
http://www.doe.virginia.gov/instruction/early_childhood/
https://www.dss.virginia.gov/files/division/cc/guidance_parents/child_dev/milestones.pdf
​Part of my family home is used exclusively for the preschool. We have a separate entrance, a large play room where we play, explore, read, dance, sing & conduct circle time. We have an art & craft/snack room & a fully equipped bathroom. It is a clean,  safe & inviting space filled with materials that encourage imaginative play, foster creativity & encourage the development of motor & social skills.

Preschool Themes:
Sept:  Learning About Preschool, All About Me, My Family
Oct:   Fall:  Apples, Leaves                                         
Nov:  Thanksgiving, Pumpkins, Turkeys
Dec:  Winter: Christmas, Hibernating Animals                                                                     
Jan:  Snow/Ice, Penguins, Polar Bears
Feb:  Community Helpers, Valentine’s Day, Day/Night
Mar:  Spring: Dr. Seuss, Baby Animals, St. Patrick's Day       
Apr:  Caring for the Earth, Butterflies, Frogs, Growing our Vegetables
May:  Mother’s Day, Under the Sea/Water

We are a nature preschool. I encourage rubber boots and rain jackets. We try to go outside EVERY DAY.
Outdoors we feed our chickens & ducks, collect eggs, plant seeds in spring, watch them grow and tend to them.
We chase butterflies, search for bugs & explore the woods around us as we enjoy nature walks. 

​We go on Field trips & have guest speakers visit preschool. Past Field Trips include: the Post Office, Carter's Mountain Apple Orchard, Hollymead Fire & Rescue & Open Gate Farm, Ivy Creek Natural Area. We have had visits from a Police Officer, a local children's book author, Nurse Ashleigh, Major Trent, Dr. Gregory & Zephyr the Magician. 
Professional class and individual photos are taken every Fall at preschool by Melody Robbins Photography.

Our Day:
8:45/9:00          Group 1 arrives / Group 2 arrives
9:00-9:50          Free & Guided Play, Art/Craft 
9:50-9:55          Clean Up
9:55-10:15       Group 1: Circle Time       Group 2: Small Group Instruction
                         Group 2: Small Group Instruction  Group 1: Circle Time
10:15-10:30       Snack/Toilet Break
10:30-11:30       Outdoor Play 
11:30-11:45      Team Work Activities (puzzles, memory games, problem solving)
11:45/12:00       Group 1 Pick-up/Group 2 Pick-up
Our day is flexible according to the children's interests and the weather.
We may go outside for different activities and extend outdoor play.

​The afternoon sessions follows the same schedule.

We follow the Albemarle County School Calendar for closings and delays due to inclement weather. I offer complementary make-up days for days missed due to snow and illness (as they come available throughout the year).
Preschool commences the day after Labor Day & finishes the Friday before Memorial Day.
Joey Summer Camp is offered for 2 weeks each summer in June/July.

​We conduct a formal assessment twice yearly to guide our teaching as well as provide you with information on your child's progress. ​We communicate with parents daily about their child & send home weekly communications each Friday and monthly newsletters recapping our learning and events for the month.

Alison Trimpe earned her Bachelor of Arts (Education) Degree & Bachelor of Education Degree in Australia- majoring in music and art.  She is a participating member of the Virginia Quality Program. As a licensed provider all teachers must undertake 16 hours of Early Childhood professional development each year.
Alison has taught in Australia, the UK, & in the USA (Albemarle County) for 22 years at Elementary & Pre-K levels.  Australian born and raised, she has lived in Earlysville for the past 18 years with her husband & two children. 
​ "I truly find joy in teaching & can honestly say that I love my job!"

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Alison Trimpe

Laura Rubbert is Kangaroo Preschool's Assistant Teacher.  Laura was born in Schwerte, Germany & has several years experience working in  child care both as a lead & assistant teacher. Laura has a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Education with a STEM endorsement.  She loves working with children & being a part of their daily development.  Laura volunteers for the Hope Legacy Equine Rescue for horses & has adopted a mini pony named Cricket. She is married & lives in Charlottesville. 

Mark Trimpe created Zephyr Magic several years ago & has entertained hundreds of children at birthday parties & library shows. He also used to be a ballroom dance teacher! Mr. Mark volunteers with the Monticello 4H Program and has been very involved with the preschool since we opened 6 years ago, volunteering countless hours. He is working on his Early Childhood Associates Degree. He loves working with young children & is kind & patient.
​ He is a wonderful dad to our two children.