Pre-Kindergarten Program
For the youngest members of the Odyssey School community, our Pre-kindergarten program provides opportunities for the students to explore the world using their body, mind and senses to foster their imagination, curiosity and creativity.
Our Approach
In our classroom we plant and nourish the seeds of curiosity and love of learning. Our primary focus is deepening our social/emotional skills to be able to express who we are, what we need and how we feel. Mastering these skills helps to develop friendship and deepen our connections with each other and our environment.
We use Explorations with Young Children curriculum to inspire us to design and create engaging and stimulating lesson plans. We intentionally observe our students to learn about their interests, so we can create and provide meaningful learning activities. Our day has a great balance of teacher-directed activities, child-lead activities, free play, outdoor investigation and quiet time.
We start our morning as a whole group by implementing mindfulness practices and centering. This improves self-awareness and self-regulation. During our outdoor time, we allow our students to investigate and discover the world around them. We treat the outdoor space as a second classroom where the children connect to nature by collecting nature objects and incorporating them in art, science, math, and literacy.
In addition to our developmentally appropriate daily activities, your children will enjoy weekly Music and Movement, Spanish with Bilingual Birdies, and Music with Agustin. These opportunities will help your child to develop skills such as balance, coordination, collaboration, exposure to different cultures and self-expression.
A week in Pre-K
Throughout the week, children participate in Odyssey's school-wide enrichment programs. Music class happens in our professional studio, where pre-kindergarteners explore full-size instruments, learn the notes of the scale, and take turns conducting their friends. Spanish with Bilingual Birdies introduces a second language through songs and stories. Music and Movement classes build coordination and self-expression alongside daily arts and PE.
Buddy Lunch days throughout the year pair pre-kindergarteners with older students, creating cross-grade partnerships that help our youngest learners feel like valued members of the whole school community—not a separate program, but an integral part of Odyssey. Students use both the wooded playground shared with the whole school and a dedicated PreK playground, giving them space for both independent exploration and integration with older peers.
When students are ready to move to Kindergarten, that transition is a natural extension of their growth so far: they simply walk down the hall to the next room. Being surrounded by students of all ages from the start sets the foundation for a lasting love of school and learning.
The environment
The PreK classroom is designed for exploration and imagination. An open-ended imagination corner features a beautiful woodland mural where students create their own narratives. Large block-building toys invite construction and spatial reasoning. Bins hold dinosaurs, puzzles, and even x-rays for curious minds to examine. The imagination corner includes dress-up materials, a dollhouse, and a table with a pretend cash register. A sensory table offers tactile exploration. A calm corner provides space for self-regulation. Students have access to an art area, Magnatiles for building, and a sink for independent hand washing. In alignment with NC State guidelines, we put each child’s lunch in our commercial refrigerator to stay cold until it’s time to eat. During rest time, students use quiet cots—some sleep, while others engage in calm activities.
Program Details
Odyssey's preschool is a certified NC Early Child Care Center. Our program runs five days a week, Monday through Friday, 9:00am to 2:00pm. For continuity, we ask that children attend all five days. Before and aftercare are available. For more program details, check out our Pre-K FAQ below.
Meet the teachers
Haviva Dror
Jillian Carey
Sylvia Stack
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Pre-K Program Director
I have spent the past 23 years working in Early Childhood Education, a field I truly love. I am deeply passionate about creating mindful, nurturing classrooms where children feel safe to grow, explore, and develop confidence in themselves. I believe the most meaningful learning happens when lessons are inspired by children’s interests and curiosity.
Building a strong classroom community is very important to me. I strive to create an environment where families feel connected, heard, and valued as partners in their child’s learning. I hold a degree in Early Childhood Education and a certificate in Special Education.
Outside the classroom, I enjoy practicing yoga, reading, gardening, and soaking up the joy of live music and music festivals.
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Pre-K Teacher
Sylvia has been working in early childhood education since 2021. She has her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Wayne State University. She believes in having a peaceful, independent, and open environment for the students. Her goal is to foster the blossoming of creative minds.
Since a young age she has loved working with children and dreamed of being a teacher. Sylvia strives to be inclusive, patient, and passionate while working with her students. She is excited to teach, learn, and grow here in the Odyssey community.
Sylvia grew up in Michigan, spent a few years in Cincinnati, and now lives here in Asheville. In her free time she enjoys live music, exploring nature, reading, and practicing yoga. She loves how the children keep her energized and inspired to look at the world through a different lens. Her learning journey is not over, as she plans to continue her education by completing her Early Childhood Education certificate.
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Pre-K Teacher
Hello, I’m Jillian, and I’m excited to be one of your PreK teachers this year! I’m originally from Jonesboro, Arkansas, but I’ve been in Asheville for 8 years, having graduated from UNCA with a Bachelors in Classical Languages and Literature! I love to read, dance, thrift, travel, and spend lots of time in nature. I also genuinely love spending time with children, and always end up learning a lot from them and their interactions as well. This year, I’m so excited to get to know all the kiddos and find out what they are passionate about, and help grow their confidence and interest in learning about the world and each other. I can’t wait to meet everyone!
Pre-K Frequently Asked Questions
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3.5 Age Limit
We do not accept children younger than 3.5. Parents are welcome and encouraged to apply in anticipation of a start at 3.5.
Potty Trained Students
Due to our facilities and teacher ratios, we require fully potty-trained students. Rare accidents will happen.
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Our Pre-K program is only a five-day program.
We do not have options for 2 or 3 -day enrollment. Students must be able to attend 5 days, M-F from 9 AM to 2 PM.
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Yes! The earliest a child can be dropped off is 8:15 AM.
For parents who need a later pickup, interactive aftercare is available on-site until 5:00 pm, provided by our enthusiastic and caring staff. Pre-K children enjoy extra time with familiar adults and friends as they explore the playground, play group games, create artwork, listen to stories, and engage in meaningful, joyful activities.Before and after-school care is offered year-round, including during the summer camp season. Please note that during summer camp, aftercare ends at 4:00 pm. Please refer to the tuition schedule for rates.
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We are licensed to have a ratio of 1:10; however, in an effort to create a spacious environment, we’ve capped the classroom at 17 (a ratio of 5:1). This gives our program the close teacher attention and class support that helps our littlest ones thrive.
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Our quiet time begins around 1:00 PM and lasts for about 45 minutes. We accommodate non-nappers by providing quiet activities.
Recent Pre-K Updates
Curious? Come on a tour and see what sets us apart.
We would love to answer all of your questions and help you learn if Odyssey is right for your family. Fill out our tour inquiry form and we’ll find the time that’s right for you.
