TK

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What Makes TK at OBS Special?

OBS brings its signature warmth, creativity, and child-centered philosophy to our TK program.

What sets it apart is:

- A play-based curriculum that supports the whole child

- Small class size that allow teachers to truly know each learner

- Strong relationships between teachers, students, and families

- Purposeful literacy, math, STEM, and writing centers that reflect best practice in early

childhood

- A balanced day blending structure, exploration, and play

- Teachers who deeply understand early childhood development and meet every child

where they are

- A nurturing, community-focused environment where students feel safe, confident, and

connected

The OBS TK program is designed to give children the gift of time, time to grow, time to discover,

and time to develop the foundational skills and confidence they need to thrive in kindergarten

and beyond.

Eligibility:

The TK program accepts students who are 4.5 years old by December 1. Enrollment is based

on director approval to ensure the program is an appropriate fit for each child.

Transitional Kindergarten is a bridge between preschool and kindergarten, offering students an

extra year to grow socially, emotionally, and academically in a developmentally appropriate

environment. TK provides more structure than preschool while still embracing the hands-on,

play-based learning that young students need. It gives students time to build confidence,

strengthen foundational skills, and enter kindergarten feeling prepared and excited for learning.

The TK program at OBS runs Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This longer,

consistent school day is an important part of the program, allowing students to build stamina,

independence, and familiarity with the routines and expectations of a kindergarten setting. The

extended day supports deeper learning, sustained focus, and meaningful engagement with both

academics and peers.

The TK program focuses on early literacy, math, problem-solving, and collaboration through

meaningful centers, small-group instruction, and rich exploration. A core component of our

literacy work is Fundations, a research-based, multisensory program used throughout local

public school systems in Kindergarten through 3rd grade. By introducing Fundations in TK,

students become familiar with the same routines, terminology, and structured approach they will

experience in elementary school, giving them a significant head start.

Fundations uses a Structured Literacy approach grounded in the science of reading to introduce

the building blocks of early literacy. Students learn phonemic awareness, phonics, letter

formation, handwriting, and basic spelling in a clear, systematic way. Lessons are multisensory

and engaging, giving students plenty of opportunities to practice sounds, letters, and early

reading skills. These concepts are reinforced during morning academic centers, where students

apply what they’re learning through hands-on activities and playful exploration.

The structure of the day supports students developmentally with focused academics in the

morning when attention and readiness are highest, two outdoor play periods for movement and

regulation, a quiet time, and a calm, community-oriented close to the day. The goal is to build

students’ confidence, independence, and readiness for the routines and expectations of a

kindergarten setting.