Preschool – Kindergarten

For students to participate in the district's 4K program, they must be:

• Four years of age on or before September 1 of the current school year,
• Reside in the Lexington One attendance area and
• Meet the at-risk criteria eligibility for enrollment (at-risk is defined as annual family income of 185 percent or less of the federal poverty guidelines as promulgated annually by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, or Medicaid eligible”). 
• Children also qualify in cases of a documented developmental delay, potential developmental delay (screening results), placement in a foster home, or a child who is homeless. Documentation of family or child most at-risk conditions must be verified and kept on file for review.

Since each program can only serve a limited number of students, we are not able to serve all children who apply. A list is created and acceptance is prioritized with children who have the most at-risk factors.

English Language Arts:

In PreK, literacy is focused on cultivating curiosity, creativity, and communication. Through storytelling, songs, and conversations, children expand their vocabulary, learn how to express themselves, and develop active listening skills. Understanding how books work and that printed words carry meaning is a major milestone for PreK learners. In our classrooms, children are surrounded by print-rich environments that encourage exploration of letters, words, and stories.  Through interactive read-alouds,  comprehension strategies are modeled, helping children understand and engage with text.  Prekindergarten students begin experimenting with writing by drawing pictures, tracing letters, and forming their first words. These early writing activities promote fine motor skills and foster an understanding of written communication.  By fostering a positive, supportive relationship with reading and writing at an early age, we help children develop the confidence and skills they need to become lifelong learners.

Math:

At the early elementary level, students are introduced to mathematics in a playful and play-based way. The curriculum is designed to engage children through the use of contextual themes, games, stories, mysteries and intriguing problems, manipulatives and visual models. Instruction is provided in the recommended math content areas, including number, operations, geometry, patterning, measurement, and data analysis.

1. Certified early childhood teachers lead all Lexington One preschool classes. An instructional assistant also works in each classroom. Our teachers participate in high-quality professional development to learn the best practices in early childhood education.

2. Play is an important part of the preschool day. Our classes combine play with instruction to prepare students for life and school. We use play to facilitate many areas of learning including language development and social and emotional skills. Our programs use similar instructional methods that are used in kindergarten classes in Lexington District One to promote a smooth transition to kindergarten.

3. Our teachers follow the South Carolina standards for preschool to ensure equity across preschool programs. These standards help to ensure all South Carolina preschool children build the foundational skills they need to be successful in school.

4. Since our preschool programs are located in elementary schools, children become familiar with the school environment that they likely will experience in kindergarten and beyond.

My child attends 4K in Lexington One, do I need to complete the 5K online enrollment?

If your child currently attends a 4-year-old kindergarten program in Lexington District One, you do not need to complete this online enrollment process.

My child narrowly misses the birth date cutoffs established by the state. Are there any provisions that would allow him/her to enroll early?

School entry age is established under state law. Lexington One does not make exceptions to the legally defined entry deadlines.

What should I do about speech or other developmental concerns? 

If your child is between 34-months old and five years of age (not yet in kindergarten), contact Special Services to schedule a clinic screening appointment at 803-821-1101.

What types of questions will my child be asked at screening for 4K?

Your child will be screened using the DIAL-4 assessment. The DIAL-4 tests a child's motor skills (skipping, jumping, cutting, writing), conceptual skills (knowledge of colors, counting), and language skills (knowledge of letters and words, ability to solve problems). During the screening, your child will participate in several games-based activities that measure his or her performance for each of the three main areas of the DIAL-4.

Will I be able to stay with my child during the screening?

A teacher will complete the screening assessment with your child in a nearby room. You will not be far away but will not be able to accompany your child to the screening.