4-Year-Old Kindergarten

• Introduction to a formal learning setting in their home school before kindergarten

• Ability to make friends and learn to work together with peers

• Jump start on academics to best be prepared for the next year in kindergarten

• Introduction to literacy, phonics, math, social emotional, science, and social studies topics

• The 4K program is offered by Waterford Graded School District for District residents

• 4K is available at your neighborhood elementary school 

• Enrollment is for children who are four years old, on or before September 1

• The 4K program is five days a week for a half-day, with morning or afternoon sessions

• 4K curriculum is closely aligned to Waterford’s 5K curriculum to best prepare our youngest learners

• State-Certified Teachers in all classrooms

• 4K attends Library, Physical Education, Music, and Art classes

Welcome to School Greeting
Get Ready for the Day- Put Backpacks and Coats away
Morning Work Time
Circle Time
Story Time
Phonics
Special Class (Phy. Ed., Music, Art, Library)
Snack
Recess
Centers/Playtime 
Clean Up Goodbye to Friends - Time to go home.

The Waterford Graded Schools believes parent engagement is an ongoing process and that it should increase active participation, communication and collaboration between parents and schools. It believes that parents, schools, families, and communities working together will create meaningful partnerships that lead to gains in student achievement.

Opportunities for parents to get an introduction into good practices with their 4K learner:

• Monthly recipe to try with your child

• Monthly activity ideas 

• Monthly reading chart

• Virtual Field Trips

• Parent Video Learning Series

The Mukwonago YMCA is proud to partner with the Waterford Graded School District to provide Wrap Care for students at Evergreen Elementary School. 4K Wrap Care is available at Evergreen Elementary School for students enrolled in 4K from 8:40 AM - 12:55 PM and 11:35 AM - 3:40 PM. If care is needed beyond traditional Wrap Care, please see information on our Y BASE program.

Registration

Any child enrolled in Waterford School District’s 4K program, who is at least 4 years old and potty trained may attend.

• Program availability varies based on each site’s licensed capacity. Capacities will be posted at each licensed location.

• Parents must keep the information on all forms updated and notify us immediately of changes.

Forms

All submitted registration information will be kept confidential and will only be shared with necessary Y staff. When necessary, Y staff will be informed and updated on each child’s special health needs; all information will be shared in a private setting.

Sample Schedule

Morning Sample Schedule 8:30 AM Arrival 8:40-8:50 Circle Time 8:50-9:00 Snack 9:00-9:45 Center Play 9:45-10:00 Group Lesson 10:00-10:30 Recess 10:30-10:50 Read Aloud 10:50-11:30 Rest 11:45-12:20 Lunch

Afternoon Sample Schedule 12:45-1:00 PM Read Aloud 1:00-1:30 PM Rest 1:30-1:40 PM Circle Time 1:40-2:25 Center Play 2:25-2:40 PM Group Lesson 2:40-3:10 Recess 3:10-3:25 Snack 3:30 Dismissal

 

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YMCA MISSION

The YMCA’s mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. Our programs are open to all children regardless of their race, creed, religion, sex or national origin.

PROGRAM GOALS

Our Wrap Care program has the following goals in mind:

• Learn an appreciation of others through the YMCA’s core values of caring, honesty, respect and responsibility.

• Build relationships with teaching staff in a state-licensed childcare setting.

• Form a sense of community among program participants and the Waterford School District.

• Create and implement programming that complements the School District’s 4K Program as well as schedules for parents and caregivers.

   

PROGRAM PHILOSOPHY

Each child will be guided to develop at his or her own unique rate by encouraging skill development through play-based learning. Both individual and group-centered play are crucial for creativity, independence, and social-emotional learning. Our 4K Wrap Care Program time will be split between structured free choice time and group activities, including gross motor practice and art projects.

CHILD PHILOSOPHY

• Parents are the most pervasive and influential teachers of their children.

• Curriculum is everything that a child experiences, from the time they get up in the morning until the time they go to bed in the evening.

• Each child’s uniqueness must be respected and fostered.

• Children grow and develop at individual rates that are often unique and unrelated to their calendar age.

• Children need an individualized curriculum that begins with what they already know and moves slowly from the concrete to the abstract.

• Children learn best through direct involvement with their environment.

• Play enables children to make sense of their environment and is essential to learning.

What is the cost to attend 4K?

There is no registration fee for 4K.

At what age can my child enroll in 4K?

Your child needs to have turned 4 on or before September 1 of the year they will attend 4K.

When does registration open?  Does registration close?

4K and 5K registration begins on February 5.  Registration is online.

Are 4K Teachers certified?

Yes! All the 4K teachers are licensed and certified teachers in the state of Wisconsin to teach pre-K, K, and up through elementary school. 

What time are the AM and PM sessions?

The AM session is 8:40 A.M. - 11:40 A.M.

The PM session is 12:40 P.M. - 3:40 P.M.

What are the school days for WGSD’s 4K program?

The 4K students begin on the second day of school and attend all full school days. If there is a ½ day, the 4K students do not attend.

Is childcare available for before and after 4K? 

Yes, there is wraparound care available.  Please see that information section (above) for details.

My child is not completely potty trained.  Do they need to be fully potty trained before they can enroll in 4K?
While it is highly recommended that children are potty trained, it is not a requirement in order to enroll in 4K.  Each 4K classroom has a bathroom to assist with bathroom needs.  If a child has an “accident” and needs more help, they will go to the office for further assistance, a change of clothes, or to determine the best next step.  

My child is advanced in their academic and/or social skills for his/her age.  Can they enroll in 4K if they will not be 4  before September 1st? 

 We do not have an early entrance approach for students entering 4 year old kindergarten.  Students must be 4 on or before September 1st at the start of the school year to be enrolled.  Please reference Board Policy 5112 for additional information.

Our family has decided not to enroll our child who will be 4 years old in the 4K program  at this time.  If we change our mind later in the school year, can we still enroll him/her?

Your child may enroll into the 4k program at anytime during the school year.  Keep in mind, It is easier for children to all start at the same time. Some children will find it challenging to start later in the school year, after the other students have begun adjusting to the school schedule and routines.  

All 4K students are eligible for district-provided busing through Dousman Transportation.  This includes mid-day busing where only 4K students are on the bus.  Your 4K child may be eligible for busing at the start of the day, or at the end of the day, depending on your home address. 

The Waterford Graded School District offers pre-school screening, in partnership with the Waterford Education Cooperative, for children ages 3-5 who are suspected of having a disability in the areas of speech/language; motor skills; social skill development and/or cognitive development. Please contact Mike Rosandich, mrosandich@wuhs.us, or call the Waterford Education Cooperative office at 262-534-4034 for more information.

Children in the WGSD 4K program learn about the world around them through play. We recognize this and incorporate play into every aspect of the curriculum. Through play, children develop important skills such as problem solving, creativity, imagination, social and emotional skills.  

We also have created specific programming goals for our 4K students that are based on the Wisconsin Model Early Learning Standards.  Learning opportunities in our 4K program will promote language, literacy, math, and social/emotional skills within a play-based approach to learning.  Our goal is to prepare our youngest learners academically, socially, and emotionally for kindergarten and the formal school community.

Please see our Health Services page for Health Information and Forms.  Reach out to Christa Kerns, our district nurse, with any questions.