Preschool Program | Columbia, MD
What will my child learn in preschool? Will they make friends? Will they like school? Who will their teacher be? At Columbia Academy, we help you get answers to all those questions and guide you toward a high-quality preschool program that feels right for your family. We're a private school that serves preschool students in Ellicott City, Fulton, and two nearby locations in Columbia. After preschool, we bring students together to our main campus on Old Columbia Road where we host our private elementary and middle school.
Preschool Program Enrollment
Ages Served
2 years through 4 years (K-Prep 2, K-Prep 3, and K-Prep 4)
Schedule Options
Full-day (7 AM to 6 PM), Academic-day (9 AM to 3:30 PM), Half day (9 AM to 12 noon)
Hours
Flexible scheduling Monday through Friday to meet family needs
Is Potty Training Required?
Required for K-Prep 2 and above; we support families through the transition
Curriculum Focus
Play-based learning with theme-based monthly topics, social-emotional development, and kindergarten readiness
Daily Routine
Structured activities including circle time, outdoor play, specials, handwriting, and self-directed exploration
Classroom Experience
Small class sizes with low student-to-teacher ratios (1:6 for K-Prep 2, 1:10 for K-Prep 3 and 4)
About Our Preschool Program
In our preschool program, your child has the opportunity to develop confidence, social-emotional competence, and academic skills that build a foundation for succeeding in kindergarten and beyond. Plus, they have the chance to make new friends and develop a love of learning through early childhood education that promotes development at every stage.
We approach learning with hands-on, play-based activities that encourage children to learn through experiences. Each month, we cover a topic such as "sand" or "reduce, reuse, and recycle," where all learning objectives and activities relate to a theme. Activities remain research-based, challenging, and achievable for each age and stage of child development.
From 2 Years to 5 Years: Development Support for Every Stage
Our preschool center provides meaningful programs for curious learners, with parents having the flexibility to choose a program that fits their family. We offer three schedule options based on a child's readiness and daytime care needs.
K-Prep 2 (Ages 2-3) In K-Prep 2, your child gets introduced to a classroom environment and structured activities. Nurturing teachers help ensure this becomes a smooth transition, and work to foster a love for learning. The student-to-teacher ratio stays at 1:6 with a maximum group size of 12 children.
K-Prep 3 (Ages 3-4) As your child continues to grow, we place emphasis on exploration and play, as well as social-emotional skill development. Our K-Prep 3 children enjoy daily hands-on activities and get introduced to the basics of foundational subject areas. The student-to-teacher ratio remains 1:10 with a maximum group size of 20 children.
K-Prep 4 (Ages 4-5) Kindergarten waits just around the corner! At this crucial age and stage of development, your child receives the tools they need to grow cognitively, emotionally, and physically as they prepare children for kindergarten. The student-to-teacher ratio stays 1:10 with a maximum group size of 20 children.
Preschool Program Enrollment and Registration
Families can visit our preschool campuses year-round to explore how our early childhood education programs support language skills, communication skills, and overall child development. Our small class sizes and low ratios mean spaces fill quickly, so we encourage early enrollment for families seeking quality preschool and daycare services in Columbia, Maryland.
Why Families Trust Columbia Academy in Columbia
For over 30 years, families throughout Columbia and surrounding areas have chosen our preschool program because we place emphasis on social-emotional learning while building academic skills. We communicate regularly through weekly emails from the director, monthly newsletters, invitations to parent-teacher conferences, and daily communication through Tadpoles. Check our calendar of events to see upcoming open houses and special programs.
A Day in the Life: Preschool Learning and Development
Curious what a day in preschool will look like for your child? Here's an example of what our K-Prep 3 children might do on a regular school day:
Morning Schedule
- Arrival & Centers/Self-Directed Exploration
- Snack & Independent Reading
- Morning Circle (Academic Day begins)
- Individualized Instruction/Self-Directed Exploration
- Specials (Physical, The Arts, Language and Literacy)
- Large Group Activity
- Handwriting Without Tears
- Outdoor Play
Afternoon Schedule
- Peacemaking
- Story Time/Independent Reading
- Nap/Rest Time
- Snack (Academic Day ends)
- Afternoon Activity/Self-Directed Exploration
- Outdoor Play
- Story Time/Music & Movement
- Self-Directed Exploration & Dismissal
Children learn through structured activities that promote development while building essential skills for kindergarten readiness. Practical life skills get woven throughout the curriculum to help children develop independence and confidence.
A Private School Serving Columbia, MD
Columbia Academy serves families throughout the Columbia area with convenient locations and flexible scheduling:
Discover how our approach can make a lasting difference in your child's life. Contact us today to learn more, schedule a tour, and become part of our vibrant school community.
Other Programs Available at Our Locations
Our infant and toddler program provides the foundation for future learning through responsive care and developmentally appropriate activities.
The transitional kindergarten program offers an extra year of preparation for children who would benefit from additional time to develop before kindergarten.
Our kindergarten program provides a nurturing environment where children build essential academic and social skills.
Elementary school students continue their educational journey with challenging academics and character development.
Our middle school program prepares students for high school success through rigorous academics.
Before and after care provides safe, supervised care for school-age children.
Our summer camp offers fun, educational activities throughout the summer months.
Digital citizenship education helps elementary students learn responsible technology use.
Other Programs Available at Our Locations
Our infant and toddler program provides the foundation for future learning through responsive care and developmentally appropriate activities.
The transitional kindergarten program offers an extra year of preparation for children who would benefit from additional time to develop before kindergarten.
Our kindergarten program provides a nurturing environment where children build essential academic and social skills.
Elementary school students continue their educational journey with challenging academics and character development.
Our middle school program prepares students for high school success through rigorous academics.
Before and after care provides safe, supervised care for school-age children.
Our summer camp offers fun, educational activities throughout the summer months.
Digital citizenship education helps elementary students learn responsible technology use.
FAQs
Our curriculum focuses on research-based objectives for development and learning. We use theme-based monthly topics where all activities connect to promote development across subject areas including language, literacy, mathematics, science, technology, and the arts.
Schedule a Tour!
Discover how our approach can make a lasting difference in your child's life. Contact us today to learn more, schedule a tour, and become part of our vibrant school community. Our preschool program provides the foundation children need for future success in school and life.