Academics
Lower School

Early Childhood Education



Setting the Course

Our Early Childhood Education Program — serving PK3 (Little Pirates) and PK4 — is thoughtfully designed around your child.

Through a purposeful, age-appropriate curriculum, we meet children where they are, providing individualized support that honors each child’s learning style while nurturing curiosity, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

 


Parent of a current Little Pirate (PK3)

As a parent of a Little Pirate, I am extremely happy with Saint Edward's Early Childhood program. The teachers are well-educated, caring and nurturing. I am confident that SES will build the foundational skills my child will need to thrive in school and in life. What a great place to grow and learn!

PK3 (Little Pirates) & PK4 Curriculum

List of 12 items.

  • Language Arts

    Students in our pre-kindergarten program learn in a language-rich environment that nurtures early speech and sound awareness while supporting natural language development. They explore carefully designed, age-appropriate literary experiences that guide them through a comprehensive literacy program and spark a lifelong love of reading and writing.
     
  • Math

    Students in our pre-kindergarten program begin their math journey using hands-on manipulatives, music, and rhymes to make abstract concepts tangible and meaningful in their everyday world. They engage with step-by-step, child-friendly learning activities that turn complex ideas into fun, hands-on experiences, inspiring a love of math. As they progress, games and activities reinforce key concepts and build their skills year by year.
  • Science

    In our pre-kindergarten science program, students explore the natural world through hands-on activities that spark curiosity and a love of discovery. They engage with basic science and environmental concepts, building a strong foundation for the more complex topics they will encounter in Lower School and beyond.
  • Social Studies

    Through the pre-kindergarten social studies program, students explore themselves and the world around them, develop an understanding of how they relate to others, and appreciate their place in a global society. They build knowledge, perspective, and awareness that will guide their learning in the years ahead.
  • Spanish

    Students begin learning Spanish in the early years, becoming familiar with the language from a young age. As they explore both the language and the culture, they develop empathy and a deeper understanding of diverse communities, helping them see themselves as thoughtful, engaged global citizens.
  • Physical Education

    Students in our Early Childhood PE program develop gross motor skills through age-appropriate individual and team activities. They practice sportsmanship, respect, and the value of trying their best while also receiving swim instruction in our state-of-the-art pool, building confidence and coordination both in and out of the water.
  • Innovation Lab

    Students explore technology in the early years to support, enhance, and extend their learning across the curriculum. In the Innovation Lab, they experiment with a variety of applications and programs that spark creativity, empowering them to design, build, and solve problems with confidence.
  • Fine Arts: Music

    Students learn by doing, the guiding principle of our early years music program. They sing, play instruments, and explore the musical world, developing both skills and appreciation. Our youngest musicians share their talents in class and in performances at the Waxlax Theater, gaining confidence and joy in every note they play.
  • Fine Arts: Visual Arts

    Students in Little Pirates and PK4 explore the world of visual art right in their homerooms. They engage in ongoing creative experiences, discovering and developing their artistic talents naturally throughout the day and across the curriculum.
  • Library

    Early Childhood students visit the school library twice a week, exploring a rich collection of beautiful books. They enjoy engaging read-alouds with the Lower School librarian, nurturing their curiosity and developing a lifelong love of reading.
  • Faith

    Early Childhood students begin attending weekly school chapel in the second semester, where they hear lessons and songs based on biblical teachings. They are encouraged to show respect for the beliefs of others and to explore values that bring people together. In the classroom, students have opportunities to discuss similarities and differences in religious beliefs, fostering understanding and empathy.
  • Academic Learning Lab

    Students have access to the Academic Learning Lab (A.L.L.), an inclusive space designed to support their academic growth and build on their strengths. They may be referred by teachers or parents, and after discussion and evaluation, personalized strategies are recommended to help them succeed. Students, families, and teachers receive ongoing support, including academic coaching and access to additional resources.


Early Childhood News

Early Childhood Experience

Non-Discrimination Statement
Saint Edward's School admits students of any race, color, religion, gender, gender identity,  disability, national or ethnic origin, or marital status to all rights, priveleges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the School, and does not discriminate on these bases – including traits associated with race such as protective hairstyles – in the administration of its admissions, educational, financial aid, or other School programs, in accordance with IRS regulations and Florida Statute §1002.421.