FIAF Preschool Montclair
Curriculum
The FIAF Preschool combines French and American teaching methods in a multicultural environment. While French education programs are built on learning through structure, the American approach stimulates creativity through positive reinforcement. The mix of these two approaches cultivates curiosity, encourages expression, and allows children to reach their full potential.
Our highly trained teachers draw from different educational philosophies to address the needs of different types of learners. We strive to conduct engaging activities that contribute to a child’s growth, confidence, and self-awareness.
While the subject areas remain the same at different levels, the activities and projects evolve based on the children’s emotional, cognitive, linguistic, and physical development.
Socialization & Interpersonal Skills
Children learn to be students by working in a group setting and developing social skills.
Language Arts
Children learn to express themselves in groups, verbalize feelings, ask questions, and use progressively more complex sentences. They learn about books and alphabets, build vocabulary, and take their first steps toward writing. Vocabulary is reinforced through weekly story hours and education.
Mathematics & Science
Children learn numbers, counting, matching, classification, measurement, and geometry through age-appropriate materials and hands-on activities.
Motor Skills
Children enjoy daily physical activities, including free play and structured exercise such as yoga or movement, which improve balance and spatial awareness. First steps to handwriting are taught through drawing and painting.
Arts & Cooking
Children draw, paint, and discover the visual arts while studying different artists in class and through museum visits. Children discover new sounds and rhythms in music sessions. Cooking activities introduce children to new flavors, table etiquette, and cooking techniques.
A Typical Day
Half Day: Mon–Fri, Morning 8:30am–12:30pm
- Greetings for parents and children
- Supervised play session
- Academics
- Enrichment (science, art, cooking, yoga, music, movement, or library)
- Healthy snack provided by the school
- Physical activities
- Storytelling and reading
- Lunch (brought from home)
- Dismissal or optional extended day
Full Day: Mon-Fri, 8:30am–2:30pm
- Greetings for parents and children
- Supervised play session
- Academics session 1
- Enrichment (science, art, cooking, yoga, music, movement, or library)
- Healthy snack provided by the school
- Physical activities
- Storytelling and reading
- Lunch (brought from home)
- Play-time on the school outdoor play area
- Rest
- Academics session 2
- Dismissal or optional extended day
Extended Day Option
An extended day option is available Monday through Friday from 2:30pm-6pm.
Academic Calendar • 2023-2024
Calendar subject to changes.
Fall Term (August 31-December 15)
- Thu, Aug 31: First Day of School (one hour only)
- Fri, Sep 1: Half Day of School (9am-11:30am)
- Mon, Sep 4: Labor Day (no school)
- Tue, Sep 5: Back-to-School (Fall Session)
- Tue, Sep 19: Curriculum Night (6:30-8pm)
- Mon, Sep 25: Yom Kippur (no school)
- Mon, Oct 9: Columbus Day (no school)
- Fri, Nov 10: Parent-Teacher Conferences (no school)
- Mon–Fri, Nov 20-24: Thanksgiving Break (no school)
- Fri, Dec 22: Last Day of Term (Fall Session)
- Mon, Dec 25-Mon, Jan 1: Winter Break (no school)
- Tue, Jan 2: Back-to-School (Winter Session)
- Mon, Jan 15: MLK Jr. Day (no school)
- Fri, Feb 9: Professional Development Day (no school)
- Mon, Feb 19: President’s Day (no school)
- Fri, Mar 29: Parent-Teacher Conferences (no school)
- Fri, Apr 5: Last Day of Term (Winter Session)
- Mon–Fri, Apr 8-12: Spring Break (no school)
- Mon, Apr 15: Back-to-School (Spring Session)
- Fri, May 24, Professional Development Day (no school)
- Mon, May 27, Memorial Day (no school)
- Fri, Jun 14: End-of-Year Show
- Thu, Jun 20: Last Day of Term (Spring Session)
Download Calendar (pdf)
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Does my child need to speak French?
No, your child does not need to speak French to attend the FIAF Preschool, though some prior exposure to French is preferred for the Pre-K class. We recommend our seasonal à petits pas classes for ages 2–5 as preparation for the FIAF Preschool.
Can my child attend the FIAF Preschool if she or he does not speak English?
Yes. We can arrange English lessons at an additional cost for French-speaking students and children who speak other languages at home.
Does my child need to be toilet trained?
Yes, your child must be toilet trained before attending FIAF Preschool although we understand that accidents can happen!
Can we find out what our child is learning in school?
Yes, we provide a monthly calendar, a Cahier de classe to keep track of progress, and a Cahier de vie rotating between families. We also communicate with parents regularly to share pictures of important moments their child’s class life. In addition, we hold a curriculum night as well as two parent-teacher conferences per school year.