Preschool in Lexington, KY | Sayre School Preschool Our preschool program is built upon our inherent belief that young children are capable learners who need to be given opportunities to explore, engage, express their ideas, and make decisions. Our highly collaborative classrooms utilize a problem-solving approach to learning that is based in play and project work. Our job in preschool is to use everyday opportunities to help children learn to solve problems, explore their environment, develop their language skills, make friends, and find answers to questions. Early literacy, numeracy, and fine motor skills are woven into play scenarios and project work in ways that allow children to build strong conceptual understandings and skills while having fun! Our classrooms are often children’s first experience outside their family and we work hard to provide a safe, caring environment for children to gain independence, social competence and pre-academic skills that prepare them for Kindergarten. If you are a parent of a young child searching for an engaging, balanced program, we invite you to visit our campus and see how our programs come alive! Join Assistant Director of Enrollment Management, Bennett Civils, and discover a glimpse of our vibrant preschool program! Find out why so many families choose Sayre as the perfect place for their little ones. Experience it firsthand—contact Bennett at (859) 244-2604 to schedule your private tour today. Loading from Vimeo... Elements of Our Day Class Size and Ratio School Hours Why Play Matters Parent Resources Outdoor Play Nap (full-day students) Free Choice Play art, literacy, music, blocks, dramatic play, project work, multi-sensory activities Special Classes art, music, library (PK2-4) physical education, and Spanish (PK3-4) Group Circle greetings, music and movement, read alouds, activities and games, conversation with friends Morning Snack and Lunch Room Adult to student ratio Honeysuckle and Willow 1:6 (maximum 12 students) Dogwood and Redwood 1:7 (maximum 14 students) Cherry Blossom and Magnolia 1:8 (maximum 16 students) Kindergarten 1:8 (maximum 16 students) * Each classroom has one lead teacher and one assistant at all times Arrival: 7:30-8:00am Official Start: 8:00am Dismissal: 12:00 or 3:00pm Early Dismissal Day: every Tuesday 2:10pm Extended Day: Dismissal – 5:45pm Learn More About Extended Day Some of the most robust research findings in early childhood are those that show the importance of play to optimal developmental outcomes in young children. Studies have repeatedly shown that if we want children to develop strong academic skills by upper elementary school, as well as the 21 st century skills of persistence, sustained attention, creativity, cooperation, and problem solving, we need to be cultivating rich, play experiences for children while they are preschoolers. We understand this at Sayre and build our curriculum, schedules and classroom environments in ways that develop and extend children’s play. Benefits of play in the early years include the following: The experience of playing affects the neurology of the prefrontal cortex during early childhood, supporting the development of executive function which allows children to regulate their emotions, sustain their attention, make plans, and solve problems. Play increases children’s cognitive ability to interact with the world on a symbolic level. This understanding then supports their later abilities to use symbols to represent meaning during early reading, writing and math instruction. There is a link between children’s symbolic play and later reading, writing and academic achievements. Playing helps children learn to self-regulate and interact with others in socially appropriate ways. It allows children to practice making decisions and to experiment with outcomes in a low pressure environment. This process gives them experience with cause and effect and resembles the scientific process. Play-based environments cultivate robust opportunities for conversation which build children’s language skills and vocabulary It offers endless opportunities to build both fine and gross motor skills.  During play, children will practice physical skills over and over again until they master them. Children gain confidence and increase their self-esteem through play. Children at play take risks and gain a feeling of power. Play is far less likely to result in failure than more rigid, teacher-directed activities. Children build their conceptual understandings of math, science, cause and effect, and the natural world through play. When toddlers pour water or sand at the water table, they are learning about quantity, mass and volume. When preschoolers determine that two triangle unit blocks make a square block, they are learning conceptually about fractional parts and area even though it will be years before they use those mathematical terms. Come visit our classrooms and see our teachers and children at work and play. Our classrooms are filled with positive energy as children seek, innovate, pretend and explore their world! The magic of play-based learning Imagine a construction zone filled with eager engineers and architects. After exploring the entire construction industry – jobs, vehicles, tools, bridges, and buildings – preschoolers draft blueprints for a magnificent seven-story hotel with a working elevator. To celebrate the completion of their imaginary hotel, they host a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Down the hall, budding authors and illustrators take center stage. Following a bookstore tour and visits from local authors, students collaborate on three books: a non-fiction piece about their school, a collection of short stories called “The Everything Storybook,” and a rhyme-and-repetition book entitled “Spooky Day.” Then, they transform their classroom into a bustling bookstore for a celebratory launch party. This is the magic of play-based learning, a cornerstone of Sayre’s preschool curriculum. It’s built on the understanding that children thrive when actively engaging with the world around them. Through play, they develop a love of learning that sets them up for success. Why Play Matters Discover Joyful Learning Project Based Learning Responsive Classroom Summer Reading Passport for Preschool Supply List for PK-2 Supply List for PK-3 Supply List for PK-4 Preschool Student Information Form Preschool Student Permission and Health Form Dress Code 2025-2026 Lower School Handbook Bullying and Harassment Policy