Two innovative Pre-K classrooms are located at Project Enlightenment. The use of research-based best practices in early childhood education makes either of them an excellent Pre-K experience for young four-year-old children that are not kindergarten eligible.

CURRICULUM: Each classroom emphasizes that children “learn by doing" and use the Creative Curriculum in conjunction with NC Early Learning Standards.

CENTER-BASED: The classrooms are organized into centers, such as: the block center, dramatic play, art center, music, a discovery/science center and a literacy center.

DAILY SCHEDULE: The schedule typically includes a morning meeting to begin the day, center play time, small group activities, clean-up, mealtimes and  outdoor play time. Special weekly activities include a social skills lesson and storytime/ book checkout in the PTRC library. 

CLASSROOMS:

• The Demonstration Preschool (DPS) Classroom  is an inclusive classroom for four-year-olds. There is an emphasis on social-emotional growth and learning using developmentally appropriate methods. Children get to experience what it means to be a part of a connected, loving, and caring classroom community. 

• The Blended Classroom (BC) is a full-day classroom serving students funded by Title 1, NC Pre-K and WCPSS Preschool Special Education Services. It emphasizes research-based early literacy practices. Students are assigned to this classroom by the Wake County Public School System. For an application for this program, visit www.wakesmartstart.org/families/wake-pre-k-overview/apply/ call Smart Start at 919-851-9550 and ask for a Wake Pre-K Application. This application is not specific to Project Enlightenment but is a universal application for all Title I and NC Pre-K classrooms.

GUIDED OBSERVATION CLASSROOMS- What does this mean?  Both classrooms at Project Enlightenment are "Guided Observation" sites. Guided Observations are designed for teachers of three- to five-year-olds and also offered to parents of children enrolled in the classrooms. Participants, with a facilitator, observe developmentally appropriate best practices in one of the two inclusive Pre-K classrooms. Some of the "best practices" participants might observe are: building a caring classroom community, social-emotional skill development, positive guidance strategies, literacy-rich environments, and respectful teacher/child interactions.