Preschool Lab
The College of Southern Idaho Early Childhood Education Preschool Lab is designed to meet the developmental needs of young children three through five years of age. It provides experiences that enrich and enhance each child’s cognitive, language, social, emotional, physical, and creative development. Within the program’s daily schedule, each child has opportunities to create, explore the environment, learn problem-solving techniques, develop personal interaction skills, and learn concepts through firsthand experiences. Children are not expected to perform beyond their abilities or to meet a set of standards-based on “speeding up” learning or “hurrying” skill acquisition. Children develop a positive self-concept through a balance of self-and teacher-directed activities. Staff members serve as positive role models and provide care and education that is supportive, nurturing, warm, and responsive to each child’s individual needs. We respect families as the primary and most important providers of care, nurturing, and education. We believe parents and teachers are partners in children’s care and education.
The CSI Preschool Lab is a nature-based school. Children spend the majority of their time outside, learning in nature. The program incorporates literacy, math, science, and social studies into their nature-based routine. There are many outdoor centers for children to learn and interact with: a reading area, a writing desk, an art area, a science area, a mud kitchen, a music area, a math area, and a garden. Children learn best while connected to nature.
The CSI Preschool Lab also uses STEAM learning, project-based learning, and place-based learning. STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math) is incorporated each day into lesson plans. Children learn from a variety of long-term projects that are based on children’s interest. Each year, and every class, there is a different focus of learning – it’s based on the interest of the children in the classroom. The Lab also uses place-based learning to enhance children’s knowledge and understanding of their community and the environment around them.
Hours and location
We are located at 246 Falls Ave, Twin Falls, ID.
We have two classes at the CSI Preschool Lab:
Morning class: 4 Days a week, Tuesday through Friday, 8:30-11:30
Afternoon class: 4 Days a week, Tuesday through Friday, 12:30-3:30
The CSI Preschool Lab follows the calendar of the College of Southern Idaho. When CSI classes are not in session, the Labs are closed (Holidays, Spring Break, bad-weather days). In addition, the Labs are closed during the first week of CSI classes in the Fall and Spring for college student orientation and during college student finals each semester (first and last week of our college student’s schedule).
Ages
The Preschool Lab is for children ages 3 years to 5 years old. We have a mixed age classroom, as we believe children learn best from their peers.
Costs
$225 a month, paid 8 months of the year. If you choose to pay by semester, the fee is $900 a semester (paid in Fall and Spring).
Registration fees are $100.00. This fee holds your child’s spot in the program. This fee is then used as a supply fee – no additional supply fees will be needed.
Scholarships
If you are a CSI college student, there are available scholarships to help pay for the CSI Preschool Lab: