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, 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 owns and is the lead teacher. She earned her Bachelor of Arts (Education) Degree & Bachelor of Education Degrees 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 19 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.