Evergreen families understand the importance of giving their children the strongest possible foundation for educational success. In our thriving San Jose community, discerning parents seek preschool programs that go beyond basic childcare to provide comprehensive preparation for the academic journey ahead. East Valley Christian School has been serving Evergreen families for over four decades, developing kindergarten-ready children who excel not just academically but as confident, capable, and caring individuals.
Setting Your Child Up for School Success in Our Community
Our specialized approach to kindergarten readiness combines research-based academics with character development, ensuring that Evergreen children enter elementary school with both the skills and the confidence they need to thrive.
Ready to give your child the Evergreen advantage? Schedule your campus tour today to see how our kindergarten readiness program prepares children for success while nurturing their love of learning.
Why Evergreen Families Choose Christian Kindergarten Prep
Deep Community Roots and Understanding
Located in the heart of the Evergreen area at 2715 S. White Road, East Valley Christian School has been an integral part of our community for over 40 years. We understand the unique character of Evergreen families—hardworking parents who value both academic excellence and strong moral foundations for their children.
Our community advantages include:
- Convenient location - Easy access from throughout the Evergreen area
- Local reputation - Trusted by generations of Evergreen families
- Community involvement - Active participation in local events and initiatives
- Neighborhood understanding - Familiarity with local elementary schools and expectations
- Cultural sensitivity - Welcoming environment for Evergreen's diverse families
Meeting Evergreen's High Standards
Evergreen families have high expectations for their children's education, and our kindergarten readiness program is designed to exceed these standards. We prepare children for success in any elementary school environment while providing the character foundation that distinguishes our graduates throughout their educational journey.
What Evergreen Parents Value Most:
- Academic excellence - Rigorous preparation without pressure
- Character development - Building integrity, responsibility, and kindness
- Individual attention - Small classes ensuring each child's success
- Experienced teachers - Multi-generational expertise and stability
- Convenient care - Extended hours supporting working families
Convenient for Working Families
Understanding that many Evergreen families have demanding careers, we offer extended care from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM, providing quality education and care during the hours working parents need most. This comprehensive schedule eliminates the stress of multiple drop-offs and pick-ups while ensuring your child receives consistent, high-quality care throughout the day.
Our extended care includes purposeful activities and continued learning opportunities, not just supervision. Children engage in enrichment activities, receive homework help for older students, and participate in structured play that reinforces the day's learning while providing fun and relaxation.
Comprehensive Kindergarten Readiness Program
Academic Skills Development
Our kindergarten readiness program is built on the foundation of the renowned Abeka curriculum, specifically designed for young learners and recognized for its systematic approach to early academic development. This research-based program ensures that children develop essential skills through age-appropriate, engaging activities.
Core Academic Readiness Areas:
Literacy Development:
- Letter recognition - All uppercase and lowercase letters
- Phonics foundation - Letter sounds and beginning blends
- Pre-reading skills - Print awareness and comprehension strategies
- Vocabulary expansion - Rich language development through stories and conversation
- Writing preparation - Fine motor skills and letter formation practice
Mathematical Thinking:
- Number recognition - Identifying numerals 1-20 and beyond
- Counting skills - Forward and backward, by 1s, 2s, 5s, and 10s
- Pattern recognition - Understanding sequences and relationships
- Shape identification - Geometric concepts and spatial reasoning
- Measurement concepts - Comparing sizes, lengths, and quantities
Science and Discovery:
- Observation skills - Careful attention to detail and changes
- Classification abilities - Sorting and categorizing objects and concepts
- Cause and effect - Understanding relationships and predictions
- Scientific vocabulary - Age-appropriate terms and concepts
- Creation appreciation - Wonder and reverence for God's design
Social-Emotional School Readiness
Kindergarten success depends heavily on social-emotional readiness: the ability to interact positively with peers and adults, manage emotions appropriately, and demonstrate self-control in group settings. Our program intentionally develops these crucial skills.
Social-Emotional Readiness Components:
Self-Regulation Skills:
- Attention and focus - Listening during story time and following directions
- Impulse control - Waiting turns and thinking before acting
- Emotional management - Expressing feelings appropriately and seeking help when needed
- Task persistence - Completing activities and not giving up when challenged
- Transition flexibility - Moving between activities smoothly and cooperatively
Social Interaction Skills:
- Peer cooperation - Sharing, taking turns, and working together
- Conflict resolution - Using words to solve problems and seeking adult help appropriately
- Empathy development - Understanding others' feelings and responding with kindness
- Communication abilities - Speaking clearly and listening respectfully
- Classroom behavior - Following rules, respecting materials, and participating appropriately
Independence and Responsibility
Kindergarten teachers consistently report that the most successful students are those who demonstrate age-appropriate independence and responsibility. Our program systematically develops these essential life skills.
Independence Skills We Foster:
- Personal care - Managing bathroom needs, washing hands, and organizing belongings
- Task completion - Finishing activities independently and cleaning up afterward
- Problem-solving - Attempting solutions before asking for help
- Decision-making - Making appropriate choices and accepting consequences
- Time awareness - Understanding routines and preparing for transitions
Faith-Based Foundation for School Success
Character Development That Matters
The character traits developed through our Christian program aren't just nice additions to academic learning; they're essential foundations for school success. Children who demonstrate kindness, honesty, responsibility, and respect consistently perform better in classroom settings and build stronger relationships with teachers and peers.
Essential Character Traits for School Success:
- Respect for authority - Following teacher directions and classroom rules
- Honesty and integrity - Telling the truth and doing the right thing
- Kindness and compassion - Treating others with care and consideration
- Responsibility - Taking care of materials and completing assigned tasks
- Perseverance - Continuing to try when learning becomes challenging
Biblical Worldview Foundation
Even at the preschool level, children begin developing their understanding of the world and their place within it. Our biblical worldview approach helps children develop confidence, security, and purpose that supports their learning and relationships.
Age-Appropriate Worldview Development:
- Created value - Understanding that God made them special and loves them
- Purpose and meaning - Knowing that learning and growing matter to God
- Moral framework - Clear guidelines for right and wrong behavior
- Community responsibility - Understanding their role in caring for others
- Hope and security - Confidence in God's love and care for them
Daily Faith Integration
Faith integration at EVCS occurs naturally throughout the preschool day, creating a seamless blend of spiritual formation and academic learning:
- Morning prayers - Starting each day with gratitude and requests for blessing
- Bible stories - Character lessons through engaging narratives
- Christian music - Songs that teach faith concepts and biblical values
- Creation exploration - Discovering God's design through science activities
- Character application - Real-life opportunities to practice biblical principles
Proven Results in School Preparation
Kindergarten Readiness Assessment
Our comprehensive approach to kindergarten preparation produces measurable results. By the end of their time in our preschool program, children consistently demonstrate readiness across all essential skill areas.
Readiness Assessment Results:
Academic Skills:
- Letter recognition and sounds - Mastery of alphabet letters and corresponding phonemes
- Beginning phonics blends - Understanding how letters combine to create sounds
- Number recognition and counting - Accurate identification of numerals and counting skills
- Fine motor control - Pencil grip and control needed for writing activities
School Readiness Behaviors:
- Following multi-step directions - Ability to understand and execute complex instructions
- Collaborative learning skills - Working cooperatively with peers on group activities
- Focused attention - Maintaining concentration for age-appropriate periods
- Emotional regulation - Managing feelings and behaviors appropriately in group settings
Teacher and Parent Feedback
The success of our kindergarten readiness program is validated by consistent positive feedback from elementary school teachers who receive our graduates and parents who see their children's continued success.
What Elementary Teachers Notice:
- Strong academic foundation - Children arrive with solid pre-academic skills
- Excellent behavior - Respectful, cooperative, and responsible classroom citizens
- Love of learning - Enthusiasm and curiosity about new concepts and activities
- Leadership qualities - Confidence to help others and take appropriate initiative
- Character strength - Kindness, honesty, and perseverance in challenging situations
The Multi-Generational Teaching Advantage
Our preschool program benefits from a unique multi-generational teaching approach that combines experienced educators with fresh perspectives. Some of our teachers have been with East Valley Christian School for decades, bringing unparalleled expertise and institutional knowledge to every classroom.
Benefits of Experienced Staff:
- Deep understanding of child development and effective teaching practices
- Relationship expertise - Decades of experience building connections with children and families
- Proven methods - Time-tested approaches that consistently produce results
- Mentorship opportunities - Experienced teachers guide newer staff members
- Family trust - Long-term relationships with multiple generations of families
This stability and expertise provide parents with confidence that their children are receiving the highest quality early childhood education from teachers who truly understand how to prepare young learners for success.
Transitional Kindergarten: The Ultimate Preparation
Bridging Preschool and Elementary School
For families seeking the most comprehensive kindergarten preparation, East Valley Christian School offers a specialized Transitional Kindergarten (TK) program for children ages 4-5. This program provides the perfect bridge between preschool and kindergarten, offering intensive preparation while maintaining our nurturing, developmentally appropriate approach.
Transitional Kindergarten Advantages:
- Extended preparation time - Additional year for skill development and maturation
- Advanced curriculum focus - Intensive kindergarten readiness skill development
- Familiar environment - Continued relationships with known teachers and classmates
- Individual pacing - Accommodation for different developmental timelines
- Confidence building - Extra time to develop academic and social-emotional readiness
Who Benefits from Transitional Kindergarten
Our TK program is particularly beneficial for children who:
- Would be among the youngest in their kindergarten class
- Need additional time for social-emotional maturity development
- Show academic readiness but benefit from confidence building
- Thrive in smaller, nurturing environments before transitioning to larger settings
- Want the advantage of being well-prepared rather than just ready
TK Program Features
Our Transitional Kindergarten program combines the best of preschool nurturing with kindergarten-level academic preparation:
- Small class sizes - Individual attention for optimal learning
- Experienced teachers - Specialists in early childhood and kindergarten preparation
- Advanced academics - Reading readiness, mathematical thinking, and scientific inquiry
- Character emphasis - Continued development of Christian values and character traits
- School readiness focus - Specific preparation for elementary school success
Frequently Asked Questions
How does your program differ from other preschools in preparing children for kindergarten?
Our program combines the research-based Abeka curriculum with Christian character development and multi-generational teaching expertise. This comprehensive approach develops not only academic skills but also the social-emotional readiness and character traits that distinguish successful students. Our teachers have decades of experience in early childhood education, and our program is specifically designed to prepare children for long-term academic success rather than just meeting minimum requirements.
What specific skills will my child develop for kindergarten readiness?
Children develop comprehensive readiness skills including letter recognition and phonics sounds, number recognition and counting abilities, fine motor control for writing, ability to follow multi-step directions, social skills for collaborative learning, and self-regulation for focused activities. They also develop essential character traits like responsibility, kindness, and perseverance that support classroom success.
How do you integrate faith concepts while preparing children academically?
Faith integration occurs naturally throughout our program, enhancing rather than competing with academic learning. We share age-appropriate Bible stories that teach character values, explore God's creation through science activities, and model Christian principles in daily interactions. This approach actually supports academic development by providing a moral framework, purpose for learning, and character traits that contribute to school success.
Will my child be prepared for any kindergarten program, including secular schools?
Absolutely. Our comprehensive preparation develops the academic skills, social competence, and character traits that all kindergarten programs value. Children learn to interact respectfully with others, follow classroom routines, demonstrate self-regulation, and engage enthusiastically in learning activities. The confidence and strong foundation they develop in our program prepare them to thrive in any educational environment.
What are your hours, and how do they accommodate working parents?
We offer extended care from 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday, providing comprehensive care during the hours working families need most. Our extended day includes purposeful activities and continued learning opportunities, not just supervision. This eliminates the need for multiple drop-offs and pick-ups while ensuring your child receives consistent, high-quality care throughout the day.
How do I know if my child is ready for your program?
Our program serves children from ages 2-5 across different developmental levels. We offer Toddler Program (ages 2-3), Preschool Program (ages 3-4), and Transitional Kindergarten (ages 4-5). During your visit, we'll discuss your child's current development and help determine the best placement for their success and growth. Our experienced teachers are skilled at meeting children where they are and helping them progress at their own pace.
Your Child's Kindergarten Success Starts Here
The Evergreen Advantage
Choosing the right preschool program is one of the most important decisions you'll make for your child's educational future. In Evergreen, families have access to exceptional early childhood education that combines academic excellence with character development, setting children up for success not just in kindergarten but throughout their educational journey.
Why Evergreen families choose EVCS:
- Proven kindergarten readiness - Comprehensive preparation that works
- Character foundation - Values that support lifelong success
- Convenient location and hours - Accessible and accommodating for working families
- Experienced teachers - Multi-generational expertise and stability
- Community trust - 40+ years of serving Evergreen families with excellence
Read our article, How to Choose the Right Christian Preschool: A Parent’s Guide, for more.
The Time is Now
The preschool years pass quickly, but their impact lasts a lifetime. By choosing a program that emphasizes both academic preparation and character development, you're giving your child advantages that will benefit them throughout their educational journey and beyond.
Our comprehensive approach develops children who are not just kindergarten-ready but kindergarten-confident: equipped with the skills, character, and love of learning that teachers notice and appreciate. These children enter elementary school as leaders who contribute positively to their classrooms and communities.
Take the Next Step
Don't wait to give your child the strongest possible foundation for school success. The early childhood years represent a critical window of opportunity that shapes all future learning. Our kindergarten readiness program is designed to maximize this opportunity while nurturing your child's unique gifts and talents.
Contact us today to schedule your personal campus tour and see our kindergarten readiness program in action. Meet our experienced teachers, explore our learning environments, and discover how East Valley Christian School can prepare your child for the bright academic future they deserve.
Your Evergreen child's success story begins with the choices you make today.
