4-5 Years
The Pre-K Classroom
In our Pre-K classroom, children think deeply, lead their own learning, and get ready for kindergarten — confident in who they are and excited for what comes next.
Pre-K Classroom Milestones
Ohio's Early Learning & Development Standards describe the skills children are building as they get ready for kindergarten. At BFA, they're not a checklist — they're a roadmap for making sure every child arrives ready, confident, and curious. Hover or tap any area below to learn more.
Language & Literacy
Children recognize most letters and their sounds, write their own names, retell stories in order, and begin sounding out simple words.
A new children’s book anchors every week, and monthly kindergarten focus lessons build the letter, sound, and writing skills kids need on day one of kindergarten.
Social & Emotional
Children manage big feelings with growing independence, use words to solve conflicts, take turns in group play, and show confidence trying new things.
Our psychology-informed approach means teachers coach children through feelings and friendships — building the self-control and confidence kindergarten asks for.
Mathematics
Children count to 20 and beyond, recognize numerals, compare quantities, build patterns, and try simple adding and subtracting.
Hands-on learning centers turn math into play — counting games, measuring, building, and real-life problems that make numbers make sense.
Cognitive Development
Children explain their thinking, plan and follow multi-step tasks, stay focused for longer stretches, and try new strategies when something doesn’t work.
Fresh circle time topics each day spark discussion, questions, and new learning, so children practice thinking out loud and listening to others.
Physical Development
Children run, hop, skip, and balance with control, and build the fine motor skills kindergarten requires, like holding a pencil, cutting, and buttoning.
Two outdoor play sessions daily plus fine motor practice in learning centers build strength, coordination, and independence.
Science
Children make predictions, test their ideas, observe changes over time, and talk about what they discovered.
Science and engineering centers invite children to experiment, build, and explore nature — investigating the world like real scientists.
Creative Development
Children plan and create art from their own ideas, act out stories with friends, and explore music, rhythm, and movement.
Art, building, and dramatic play are part of every week, and time for free play gives children room to imagine, create, and make their own choices.
Social Studies
Children learn about their community, different cultures and traditions, and the many ways people help one another.
Monthly themes like community helpers and multicultural read-alouds connect children to the wider world and build empathy for others.
How Pre-K Gets Kids Kindergarten-Ready
The final step before kindergarten. Every part of the Pre-K day builds the skills and confidence kids need to walk into kindergarten ready.
Monthly Kindergarten Focus
Each month, intentional lessons target key skills for a smooth move to kindergarten.
Circle Time Topics
Fresh topics each day spark discussion, questions, and new learning.
Hands-On Learning Centers
Real activities teach literacy, math, science, art, building and engineering, writing, and more.
Whole Child Growth
Social and emotional skills grow alongside academics, building confidence, connection, and self-control.
Time for Free Play
We make space for children to play freely, so the week's learning has time to sink in.
What does Pre-K mean?
Pre-K is short for pre-kindergarten. It is a program for children ages 4 to 5 — one year before they start kindergarten. Pre-K helps children build the skills they need to do well in school. At Balanced Family Academy, our Pre-K program focuses on more than school readiness. We help children grow in confidence, curiosity, and a love of learning they'll carry with them for years to come.
What age does Pre-K start in Ohio?
At Balanced Family Academy, our Pre-K program serves children ages 4 to 5, in the year before kindergarten. We run year-round, so your family isn't tied to a set school calendar. If your child is turning 4 soon, we'd love to talk about whether Pre-K is the right fit.
Will Pre-K prepare my child for kindergarten?
Yes — that's exactly what our Pre-K program is built to do. Children learn early reading and math skills, practice listening, and learn to work with others. But we believe being ready for kindergarten means more than knowing your ABCs. Children do best when they feel sure of themselves and know how to handle their feelings. That's what we focus on at Balanced Family Academy — the whole child, not just what they know.
The ages of children in our classrooms may vary by local and state regulations as well as the unique needs of each student.
Explore Our Other Programs
Every age group follows the Full Circle Curriculum, made just for their stage.
Newborn Care
From 6 weeksWarm, one-on-one care that follows each baby's own schedule.
See Newborn Care →Infant Care
10–18 monthsFirst words, first steps, and lots of hands-on exploring.
See Infant Care →Toddler Care
18–24 monthsBusy bodies, big feelings, and new discoveries every day.
See Toddler Care →Early Preschool
2–3 yearsGrowing independence, new friends, and early learning routines.
See Early Preschool →Preschool
3–4 yearsHands-on science, math, and literacy built into every week.
See Preschool →Pre-K
4–5 yearsA focused year that gets kids ready for kindergarten.
See Pre-K →See Our Classrooms in Action
Stop stressing over the daily details. Come see where your child will learn, play, and be known.