3K in Lighthouse

The Perfect Bridge from Home to Preschool Academics

Is your three-year-old ready for preschool, but not quite ready for a giant, loud commercial classroom?

At Lighthouse, we offer a comprehensive 3K preschool curriculum delivered entirely within a secure, nurturing home setting. We know that transitioning to care can be a big step, especially for children who are used to being close to their parents. Our small home environment provides a cozy, familiar layout that feels like an extension of your own living room, making their first step into school completely stress-free.

Why Families Love Our 3K Home Program

🧸 A Gentle, Loving Transition

Large commercial centers can easily overwhelm a sensitive child. Our small group size allows us to give your little one an extra dose of personal warmth and individualized attention, helping them build confidence at their own pace. With 2 teachers in a small group, it allows us to give your child more one on one attention.

📚 Elite Academic Preparation

A smaller space doesn't mean smaller milestones. Our comprehensive 3K curriculum balances structured early academics with joyful, creative sensory play. We tailor daily lessons directly to your child's pace, giving them the elite school readiness they deserve.

🛡️ Uncompromised Safety & Trust

Every certified educator at Lighthouse is chosen for their warmth, experience, and profound impact on students. Before entering the classroom, all teachers must complete a rigorous screening, background check, and training process that fully complies with local government regulations and our own high standards of care.

📋Inspections

Because we are a licensed daycare, we do safety and cleanliness inspections every single month from the agency and every season from the Department of Health. We also look at our lessons and classrooms monthly to make sure the children stay happy, active, and learning. Because we are a small group, we can focus deeply on giving your child the gentle, trusted care they deserve.

🍎 Nutritious, Home-Cooked Meals

We believe that healthy minds start with healthy food. We proudly provide fresh, home-cooked

meals for lunch and snacks, ensuring your child receives the wholesome, comforting nutrition they

need to stay energized all day. (Please note: Our kitchen maintains a strict, nut-free policy for the safety of all children).

🚽Potty Training

We understand that potty training is a unique journey for every child, which is why children in our 3-K program do not need to be fully toilet trained. We happily welcome students who wear pull-ups and partner with you to support their development. To keep your child comfortable, we ask that you provide a packet of pull-ups, wet wipes, and a few changes of spare clothes. Throughout the day, our team gently guides them by visiting the bathroom every hour, helping them slowly build confidence and get used to their new routine.

🕒 Built for Your Busy Schedule

We are your dedicated partners in parenting. To fully support your family's needs, we offer an extended day service where you can pick up your child after 2:20 PM. More information is in the Extended Day/After School tab.

What is Taught in Our Classroom

🏫 Early Academics & Cognitive Skills

  • Letters & Pre-Literacy: Children explore letter recognition through tactile activities like tracing letters in sand, singing alphabet songs, and signing themselves into class each morning to build handwriting foundational skills.

  • Numbers & Math Logic: We introduce early numeracy using hands-on counting games, sorting colorful blocks, recognizing number shapes, and measuring everyday objects around the room to build a strong mathematical foundation.

  • Scientific Discovery: Through open-ended exploration, planting small seeds, and sensory walks, children learn to ask questions, experiment with hands-on materials, and observe the natural world around them.

  • Little Chefs Cooking Experiments: We use simple, child-friendly food preparation to teach early math and science. Children practice measuring ingredients, observing how liquids turn to solids, and mixing ingredients together, all while building fine motor skills and learning about healthy foods.

🌱 Social & Emotional Development

  • Classroom Routines: Children learn how to navigate a daily schedule, follow transitions smoothly, and build the critical focus and memory needed for pre-K.

  • Emotional Regulation: We guide students on how to identify, express, and manage their feelings while practicing empathy and self-control in a reassuring setting.

  • Socialization & Community: Through family-style meal times and group play, children learn essential real-world skills like sharing, taking turns, and working together.

🎨 Physical & Creative Expression

  • Fine Motor Skills: Activities like finger painting, sensory play with clay, using safety scissors, and holding crayons build the finger strength needed for writing.

  • Gross Motor Skills: Daily music, dancing, outdoor play, and balance exercises strengthen coordination and gross motor control.

  • Imaginative Play: Dedicated art and dramatic play corners encourage creative storytelling, role-playing, and structural thinking with building blocks.

Why a small 3K class instead of a 3K class in a large center?

  • Targeted Kindergarten Readiness: In large 3K classrooms, teachers spend a lot of time on crowd control. In a smaller group, you can provide tailored, individual attention to build foundational reading, math, and social-emotional skills.

  • High-Quality Socialization: A smaller peer group allows you to actively facilitate collaboration, teach conflict resolution, and guide meaningful back-and-forth conversations so children don't get lost in the crowd.

  • A Cozy, Low-Stress Transition: For three-year-olds who are still adjusting to being away from home, a small environment feels purposeful rather than overwhelming, drastically reducing separation anxiety.

  • Fewer Germs: Fewer children naturally mean a healthier environment with fewer disruptions from seasonal illnesses.