Great Barrington Preschools

Sunshine Preschool is Berkshire South Regional Community Center's state-licensed integrated preschool program for children 2 years 9 months to kindergarten ready. Children learn through play in this fun and educational hands-on environment. Children enjoy art, crafts, creative movement, dramatic play, story time, songs, gym time, outdoor time, as well as our splash playground.

Sunshine s philosophy is to encourage learning in a safe, warm and accepting environment. We offer an atmosphere that enables children to respect themselves as well as others. Through creative experiences, we enhance the child's ability to socialize with others, make creative use of materials available, promote self-expression and foster cognitive development.

At Sunshine it is our goal to provide a high quality educational program and environment in which children can further develop a positive self-concept, one that fosters their creativity and strengthens their joy of learning. Our incredible teachers even help potty train!

Sunshine Preschool at Berkshire South consists of highly qualified educators trained in early childhood education. Our low teacher/child ratios of one adult for every ten children, allows the staff to plan and provide a high quality education program for the children. We are committed to maintaining a staff that is consistent and up to date on early childhood trends and teaching practices. Our teachers are provided with a minimum of 20 hours of professional development each year in addition to First Aid and CPR Certifications. All staff is also trained annually in Administration of Medications. Sunshine Preschool is a nut free facility.

The teachers follow carefully thought out curriculum to prepare children for kindergarten. We follow standards put forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Massachusetts Department of Early Education & Care.

Although we have a set curriculum, we use children s curiosity to guide their daily learning and classroom discussions. We allow time for teachable moments and flexibility while at the same time providing consistency and clear expectations for the children. Children participate throughout the day in individual, small groups, and large group activities. An important component of our year is spent learning about the children s families and customs. We welcome parent participation and we celebrate diversity.

Financial assistance is available.