Kindergarten

Kindergarten children enter school with varied experiences and expectations. Five-year-olds are discovering the world around them and are anxious to explore it. The development of a kindergartner’s positive self-image as well as his and her good feelings about school is paramount. Our kindergarten environment nurtures the child and encourages exploration and learning. Through a balance of play and academics, children develop the skills necessary to become constructive members of the school community. The primary function of the kindergarten program is to provide your child with a positive and successful learning experience in her or his first formal school year. At GCDC, our goal is to keep each child’s needs as the central motivation for lessons.

The GCDC kindergarten curriculum fosters lifelong learning. Many things that your child will learn and do in our kindergarten program serve as the foundation of his or her educational career.

Classroom Schedule

Access Kindergarten schedule here.

Class Structure

GCDC has one Kindergarten class of 15 children.

Age Requirements

Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) requires that children enrolling in kindergarten be five years old on or before September 1st.  GCDC may consider early admission on a space-available basis.

Early Admission

According to Maryland law, a child must be five years old by September 1st of the school year to be age eligible to enroll in a public school kindergarten or any nonpublic school kindergarten. Parents who are interested in enrolling children who do not meet the age eligibility requirement have the following options:
  • A parent/guardian may request early entrance into kindergarten if the child turns five (5) years of age between September 2 and October 15 of the school year for which they are requesting early entrance.  An Early Admissions Screening is required.   Parents must contact their local public school and request a screening that meets the MSDE requirements for early admissions.  GCDC requires an official letter from a school district that indicates the child passed the screening. Note: We cannot guarantee a space for credit without this documentation.
  • Upon request, GCDC will assess children who will turn five between October 15th and November 1st for non-credit enrollment.  This will not meet the mandatory kindergarten attendance requirement to attend a public or nonpublic kindergarten program regularly during the school year before entering the first grade.  In other words, your child would have to repeat kindergarten before enrolling in first grade.  Please note:  GCDC only offers early admission on a space-available basis. If you are interested in enrolling your child through the early admission process, please complete an early admission form and submit it with your registration packet.

Kindergarten Curriculum

Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) provides clear and detailed information about what Maryland students should know and be able to do at each grade level. GCDC uses the MacMilliam/McGraw-Hill Treasures© curriculum for our kindergarten program, which is an MSDE recommended curriculum.
  • Language Arts: Treasures, by Macmillan/McGraw-Hill. Treasures is a research-based, comprehensive Reading Language Arts program. High-quality literature coupled with explicit instruction and ample practice ensures that students grow as lifelong readers and writers.  Parent resources for Treasures  can be found at: http://treasures.macmillanmh.com/maryland/students/k/book1
  • Math: Math Connects, by Macmillan/McGraw-Hill. The Math Connects program includes a variety of kindergarten level concepts such as, Whole numbers, Fractions, Understanding of Operations, Operations of Whole numbers, Mental Arithmetic and Estimation Strategies, Algebra-Use of Patterns, Algebraic Expressions, Measurement, Temperature, Time, Money, Area and Surface Area, Geometry – Plane and Solid Shapes, Data Analysis – Sort, Classify, Collect, Organize and Displaying Data- Surveys, Real graphs, picture graphs, pictograph, Problem Solving, Mathematical Reasoning and Justification. Parent resources for Math Connects  can be found at: http://mhschool.com/math/mathconnects/gradeK/sgKc1lesson1.html
  • Science: A Closer Look, by Macmillan/McGraw-Hill. A Closer Look offers students exciting and accessible standards-based lessons. Engaging activities promote curiosity and foster the development of science inquiry skills. Through a consistent and structured learning cycle, students confidently build upon their experiences to develop a lifelong understanding of science concepts.  Parent resources for A Closer Look can be found at http://www.macmillanmh.com/science/2008/student/na/gradek/index.html

Independent Study Absence

GCDC kindergarten students may take up to five consecutive days to engage in an independent research project of their choosing.  During this time, they are not counted absent.  The plan must be approved in advance by the GCDC Director and must demonstrate at least one of the Kindergarten objectives from each of the following:
  • Language and Literacy Development
  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Social Studies
  • The Arts
  • Health
  • Personal and Social Development
  • Physical Development
Upon conclusion of a Project Study, the kindergarten student (with the support of a parent) must present their project to the entire class. This must be done within ten school days of the conclusion of the Independent Project Study. The presentation must be developed with the age of the student in mind.

Kindergarten Attendance Tracker

Enrolled families should use the tool below to track their children's attendance.  
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