Pre-K
Kindergarten readiness built on curiosity, confidence, and care — in a structured, joyful Pre-K classroom near Annapolis Junction and Fort Meade.
Pre-K (4 to 5 years)
The Pre-K year is one of the most significant in your child's educational journey. It's the year they begin to read their first words, write their name with pride, make their first real friendships, and develop the self-regulation skills that will shape how they learn for the rest of their lives. It is not a year to be taken lightly — and at Explore + Discover, we don't.
Our Pre-K program, located at 112 National Business Parkway in Annapolis Junction, MD, is designed to give four and five year olds the strongest possible foundation for kindergarten — academically, socially, and emotionally. As a Maryland State Licensed early childhood school (MSDE CCLD 26.18), our Pre-K curriculum is aligned with the Maryland Early Learning Standards and delivered by experienced educators who are passionate about this critical transition year.
For working families near Fort Meade and the National Business Parkway corridor, our Pre-K offers the rare combination of genuine academic preparation and the warm, nurturing environment that four-year-olds still need. We don't push children — we invite them into learning. And the results speak for themselves: our Pre-K graduates walk into kindergarten ready, confident, and genuinely excited to be there.
What You Can Expect from Our Pre-K Program
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Structured Literacy Instruction
Phonics, phonemic awareness, letter-sound relationships, sight words, and early reading comprehension are taught systematically and joyfully. By the end of Pre-K, most of our graduates are beginning to decode simple words and sentences independently.
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Early Writing Development
From name writing to simple sentences, our writing program builds fine motor skills, letter formation, and the confidence to put thoughts on paper. Children leave Pre-K with a genuine sense of themselves as writers.
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Math Foundations — Number Sense to Early Addition
Counting, number recognition, patterns, measurement, geometry, and beginning addition and subtraction are developed through hands-on materials, games, and real-world problem solving throughout the day.
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Social-Emotional Readiness
Kindergarten readiness is about more than academics. We explicitly teach self-regulation, conflict resolution, empathy, and classroom community skills — the social-emotional foundations that determine how well children can actually access learning in a school environment.
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Kindergarten Readiness Assessments
We conduct ongoing developmental assessments throughout the Pre-K year and share detailed readiness reports with families. Parents leave knowing exactly where their child stands — and what to expect when kindergarten begins.
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Strong Relationships with Local Elementary Schools
We maintain relationships with local elementary schools to understand what kindergarten teachers expect — and to ensure our Pre-K graduates arrive prepared to meet those expectations from day one.
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Maryland State Licensed — MSDE CCLD 26.18
Fully licensed and inspected by the Maryland State Department of Education. Our Pre-K program meets all state requirements for safety, staffing ratios, educator qualifications, and early childhood curriculum standards.
A Typical Day in Our Pre-K Program
Every day is thoughtfully structured around your baby's individual needs — balancing play, learning, rest, nutrition, and consistent care throughout the day.
Morning Arrival & Independent Work
7:00am – 8:30amChildren arrive, sign in their name, and begin morning work — journal drawing, name writing practice, puzzles, or reading independently from the classroom library. This independent start builds executive function and self-direction.
Morning Snack
8:30am – 9:00amChildren prepare their own snack area, eat together, and clean up independently. Snack conversations are rich with vocabulary practice, storytelling, and peer interaction — all in a relaxed, natural setting.
Morning Meeting
9:00am – 9:30amCalendar, weather, daily schedule, news, and whole-group discussion. Morning meeting builds community, practices oral language, and introduces the day's learning intentions. Children take on classroom jobs — line leader, calendar helper, weather reporter.
Literacy Block
9:30am – 10:15amFocused literacy instruction — phonics, read-alouds, shared reading, and writing workshop. Small group rotations allow teachers to provide targeted instruction at each child's level while others work independently at literacy centers.
Math Block
10:15am – 11:00amHands-on math instruction using manipulatives, games, and real-world problems. Number sense, counting, patterns, shapes, measurement, and beginning operations taught through concrete materials before moving to abstract concepts.
Outdoor Play & Physical Education
11:00am – 11:45amDaily outdoor time for gross motor development and cooperative play. Pre-K children play organized outdoor games that build teamwork, following rules, and strategic thinking — skills that transfer directly to the kindergarten classroom.
Lunch
11:45am – 12:30pmLunch from home eaten together with growing independence. Children manage their own lunch boxes, make choices, and clean up after themselves — building the self-care skills kindergarten teachers expect from day one.
Rest & Independent Reading
12:30pm – 1:30pmA quiet rest period for those who still nap. Non-nappers read independently, work on writing in their journals, or complete quiet enrichment activities. This period builds independent work habits critical for kindergarten success.
Project & Enrichment Time
1:30pm – 4:30pmScience investigations, art projects, collaborative building, dramatic play, and multi-day project work tied to the current unit of study. Children apply what they've learned in the morning to creative, open-ended afternoon challenges.
Pickup & Daily Recap
4:30pm – 6:00pmOpen pickup until 6:00pm — ideal for working parents near Fort Meade and the National Business Parkway. Teachers share specific learning highlights, behavioral observations, and developmental notes at pickup. BrightWheel daily summary sent to your phone.
Key Activities in Our Pre-K Program
Every activity is intentional and connected to the Maryland Early Learning Standards — preparing children not just for kindergarten, but for a lifetime of confident, joyful learning.
From structured literacy and writing workshop to science investigations and collaborative projects, every activity in our Pre-K program is intentional and connected to the Maryland Early Learning Standards. We prepare children not just for kindergarten — but for a lifetime of confident, joyful learning.
Ready to Learn More About Our Pre-K Program?
Pre-K spots fill quickly. Schedule a free tour today and we'll walk you through our classroom, our team, and everything you need to feel confident about enrollment.