ልትበለጽግበት የምትችል ቦታ ፈልገህ አገኝ!
Kindergarten is offered five full days per week. Parents can choose a four-day (M-Th) or five-day program. Students must be five years old by September 1 to be eligible for admission. In addition, prospective students will complete a Kindergarten readiness assessment to determine the best classroom placement. Use the Kindergarten program selection guide to explore which program might be best for your student.
Kindergarten Program Selection Guide
This guide helps families explore our two vibrant and developmentally appropriate Kindergarten experiences at Lancaster Mennonite:
🌟 Step 1: Developmental Readiness
Is Your Child at least 5 Years Old by September 1st?
- ✅ Yes → Continue to Step 2
- ☀️ Not Yet → We invite you to check out our PreK program, designed for 3.5-year-olds and 4-year-olds!
🧠 Step 2: English Literacy Readiness
Does your child demonstrate strong early literacy and language skills in English?
- ✅ Yes → Continue to Step 3
- 🌱 Still Developing → Traditional English Kindergarten is a wonderful place to build a strong literacy foundation, with opportunities to explore Spanish in later years.
❤️ Step 3: Social-Emotional Readiness
Is your child self-motivated, confident in unfamiliar situations, and able to persist through challenges (like learning in another language)?
- ✅ Yes → Continue to Step 4
- 🌼 Gaining Confidence → English Kindergarten offers a warm, supportive environment to nurture resilience and independence.
👨👩👧 Step 4: Family Commitment and Home Support
Can your family commit to at least a 5-year Spanish immersion journey and support English reading development at home?
- ✅ Yes → Continue to Step 5
- 💬 Prefer Flexibility → English Kindergarten provides direct, in-school literacy instruction with the flexibility to explore bilingual options in the future.
🧩 Step 5: Learning Support Needs
Will your child benefit from in-school Reading or Math support?
- ✅ Yes → These supports are offered within the Traditional English program. Spanish Immersion students may need outside tutoring if additional support is needed.
- 🌟 Not at this time → You’re ready to explore either program!
🎓 In Summary:
| 🌍 Spanish Immersion Kindergarten | 📘 Traditional English Kindergarten |
| A dynamic, language-rich program where students learn 90% of content in Spanish | An engaging, academically rich program focused on foundational literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional growth |
| - Fosters bilingualism and biliteracy, cognitive flexibility, and global awareness - Designed for students with strong English literacy and social-emotional readiness - Requires a 5-year commitment for long-term language success - Parents provide English reading support at home or through community-based supports - ELL (English Language Learner) support is available - Reading/Math intervention support is not provided in Spanish; outside tutoring may be needed | - Taught in English with a nurturing, structured environment - Includes access to in-school Reading and Math support - Encourages curiosity, independence, and confidence - Ideal for families looking for flexibility or a strong start in English literacy - ELL support is available - Students may transfer to Spanish Immersion Kindergarten for a second year of Kindergarten if desired |
| 🌳 Forest School Fridays - Both Kindergarten programs feature Forest School Fridays, where students spend parts of the morning outdoors engaging in nature exploration, child-led play, and hands-on learning. | Both Kindergarten programs feature Forest School Fridays, where students spend parts of the morning outdoors engaging in nature exploration, child-led play, and hands-on learning. |
| Spanish Immersion Kindergarten: Participates in structured Forest School Fridays lessons, with more Friday morning time spent for Spanish Instruction. | Traditional English Kindergarten: Enjoys a robust Forest School experience with ample time for structured outdoor learning as well as outdoor free play. |
📅 Program Schedules
| Both programs offer flexible scheduling options to suit your family's needs: - 4-Day Option: Monday through Thursday - 5-Day Option: Monday through Friday While both options are considered "full-time," the 5-day schedule is particularly beneficial for students in the Spanish Immersion program to ensure consistent language exposure and development. |
Kindergarten Readiness Checklist
Not sure if your child is ready to tackle the world of kindergarten? This Kindergarten Readiness Checklist will give you an idea on what areas your child is doing well in, and where they may need some extra attention. It’s a good idea to do the checklist, print it out and then work with your child in the areas they need extra help. In a few weeks, do the checklist again to see how much your child has improved.