-High Desert Leapin' Lizards State Preschool Programs-

Representation of Our Preschool Program:
State funded preschool program for three and four-year-old children from low-income families.  Morning and afternoon sessions available.  Meals are provided through the National School Lunch Program.  Morning session receives breakfast and lunch and afternoon session receives lunch.  Our focus is to help prepare children socially and academically for Kindergarten through hands-on experiences during integrated anti-biased curriculum.
Brief History Of Our State Funded Preschool:
In September 1998, Sierra Sands Unified School District (SSUSD), Inyokern 
Elementary School, and the Carrie Ovall Children’s Center, Inc. began an informal collaborative to establish a state preschool at Inyokern Elementary School.  In November 1998, the California Department of Education awarded a contract to SSUSD to open a state preschool at Inyokern Elementary School.  In July 2005, an extended contract was awarded to establish a state preschool at Pierce Elementary School.  In December 2008, an additional state preschool contract was awarded to establish a state preschool at Faller Elementary School. SSUSD has contracted with High Desert Leapin’ Lizards (HDLL) to operate the preschools.​
Mission Statement:
Sierra Sands Unified School District State Preschool Program will provide quality, developmentally appropriately preschool services that will be a major resource for children and families of our community . 

-Program Objectives-

Based upon the philosophy, our program has developed objectives.  Our program objectives will serve to: 
  • Promote health, physical growth, and motor development.  
Children are provided with health education and are made aware of their physical growth and development.  Personal hygiene is continually emphasized.  Activities are provided for both small and large motor development.  
  • Increase independence in meeting and solving problems.  
Children are provided with guidance to resolve problems and conflicts in positive and appropriate ways.  
  • Strengthen inner emotional controls.
Children are encouraged to express their feelings in appropriate ways.  
  • Help the children recognize reasonable limits and influence growth towards self-discipline.  
Limits and responsibilities are established within the program.  Children are provided with choices and the consequences of their decisions.  
  • Encourage self-reliance, confidence, and understanding.  
Staff personnel provide children with assistance in helping the children accept themselves as capable and significant individuals.    
  • Foster security with adults.
Staff personnel provide a loving atmosphere and encourage an environment for open and honest communication.  Children interact periodically with local senior citizens.  
  • Promote language skills.  
Staff personnel encourage all children to verbalize their wants and needs and provide regular sharing time.  
  • Provide free self-expression. 
Activities are provided for self-expression through literacy, art, music, and dance.  
  • Broaden intellectual horizons.  
The entire educational program is directly related to the children’s knowledge and interests and is designed to help them observe, ask questions, investigate, seek, and acquire information.  The staff encourages critical thinking and feedback.

CURRICULUM
Based on How Children Learn and Develop:
  • Children learn through concrete experiences during play.  
  • Children learn by moving, looking and listening, observing and exploring, connecting, and categorizing.  
  • Children's life experiences, interests, temperament, culture, learning style, family and community perspectives, and gender can affect the way the child processes information.​

Content of Curriculum:
  • Language & Literacy / The Arts
  • Mathematics / Processing Skills
  • Science / Social Studies
  • Problem Solving / Conflict Resolution          
  • Health, Safety, and Nutrition / Physical Development and Fitness

Curriculum Environment:
  • Library / Writing Center
  • Dramatic Play Centers / Math Center
  • Block Center / Science Center
  • Sensory Tables / Art Center
  • Manipulative Center / Gross Motor
  • Music & Movement Center / Small and Large Group

Desired Results:
As a state funded preschool program, we follow the Desired Results System as required by the California Department of Education.  This system is a result-focused model that incorporates the completion of child assessments, program evaluations, and reporting requirements to ensure program quality.  

The Desired Results system is based upon the following desired results for children and families:
  • Children are personally and socially competent.
  • Children are effective learners. 
  • Children show physical and motor competence.
  • Children are safe and healthy.  
  • Families support their children's learning and development.  
  • Families achieve their goals.

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-Preschool Parent Handbook Link-