Preschool Program

ICC preschool is a culturally stimulating space that facilitates social, emotional, physical and cognitive development.

Our focus is project-based learning and we foster peer interactions that are designed to teach empathy, problem solving skills and conflict resolution. Curriculum and events are designed to facilitate intergenerational relationships, teach communication skills, collaboration and respect others and oneself.

Integration of culture and arts builds self-esteem and confidence. Exploration of science-based activities encourages curiosity and reasoning. Our focus on strong academic foundations creates kindergarten readiness combined with a love for lifelong learning.

 

Our Play based approach:

  • Offers children a variety of opportunities for social interactions (with familiar adults and peers)
  • Teaches cooperation and responsibility through group participation projects
  • Encourages children to maximize their attention span as they focus on self-selected activities where they learn to regulate themselves

Our integrated learning style focuses on:

  • Social and emotional development
  • Language and literacy
  • English-language development
  • Mathematics

Our pride in our heritage:

  • Children explore our heritage through experiential activities designed to explore our Indian identity
  • Indian traditions are reinforced through festival celebrations and activities including songs, arts and crafts, music, cooking and dramatic interpretation of Indian tales and mythology.

Namaste:
The children gather together, greet each other, check attendance to see who is absent (helps children identify friends in class), check the calendar for upcoming special events, read a story, and check special activities for the day.

Yoga:
Kids start each day with yoga. The poses may reflect a story they just read.

Learning Center Time:
The children select activities in any of the learning centers. The adults facilitate the play activities. The children may participate in a planned art activity during this time as well.

Snack:
Children will be given healthy vegetarian snacks. The children sit at tables with adults and interact socially while eating a nutritious snack. Self help skills such as pouring, spreading, cutting, and using manners are developed during this time. Children are responsible for cleaning up their own materials.

Outside Play and Learning:
Children improve large muscle development and social skills in the playground. There will be several planned learning activities for children who want to participate. We go outside every day, weather permitting.

Group Activity:
Group activities vary every day but may include music, drama and gymnastics. Activities will include Indian themes as well as other global themes.

Kindergarten Readiness:
Children will start developing Kindergarten readiness skills by participating in small group activities. The activities will focus on reading readiness, math manipulative and project based learning.

Intergenerational Activities:
A very special part of our program is incorporating intergenerational activities to foster respect and understanding. Activities will vary but will include Senior Story Time (ICC Seniors will read stories to the children) and festival celebrations with parents, grandparents and siblings. Special performances by the preschool children for our ICC seniors will provide an opportunity for sharing new skills and talents.

Yoga Program:
Children are natural yogis. Their innate flexibility and curious, open minds are the perfect foundation for yoga practice. During yoga, children learn about the world around them by imitating it. They take the shape of animals and objects in nature and in doing so begin to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for life in its many forms..Animal sounds, songs, games and stories all play a part in making it fun!
Yoga also helps children refine skills like balance, focus and coordination. It encourages children to listen and show respect both to themselves and to the other little Yogis with whom they share their classroom and world.

Art Center:
This area provides children with opportunities to express creativity, observe cause and effect with a variety of mediums, increase small muscle development, eye-hand coordination, discover colors, shapes, sizes and textures, develop aesthetic appreciation and independent work skills. Indian folk art techniques are also explored during celebrations.

Game Area:
Through puzzles and manipulative toys children match, sort, sequence and classify materials by color, shape, size and texture. They improve small muscle development, eye-hand coordination and social skills such as turn taking, sharing materials, cooperating while creating and joining games.

Reading Corner:
Children develop reading readiness skills, build vocabulary and conceptual development, identify roles and relationships people have in stories, listen and participate as a member of a group, and listen to stories being read in a group or individually. Indian tales and fables are an integral part of our library.

Discovery Area:
Children explore, experiment, hypothesize, question, discover, and develop concepts using real objects with equipment and materials that encourage experimentation. Basic science concepts are explored through hands on activities.

Math Center:
Children develop readiness skills such as rote counting, matching, sorting, patterning, shapes, sizes, quantity, recognize number symbol with manipulative and visual aids.

Sensory Table:
Children develop sensory awareness with materials such as sand, water, beans, rice, flour, dirt, pasta, oatmeal, etc. They explore and distinguish textures by sifting, pouring, comparing, measuring and experimenting with a variety of materials as well as develop math concepts.

Dramatic Play:
Children develop creative expression, imagination, role-playing skills, problem solving, social interaction skills, small muscle control, eye-hand coordination, and work through problems by reenacting real life experiences. A special Indian dress up box allows for an opportunity to
explore heritage through puppets and dramatic play including Indian outfits and props.

Building Blocks Corner:
Children design and create structures with the blocks while developing muscle development, eye-hand coordination, conceptual development of size, number, shape, weight, width, and function of the block and how to work cooperatively with others.

Musical Instrument Corner:
Children experiment with a variety of instruments to discover how they make sounds and what they sound like combined with other instruments. Instruments from all over the world including some from India expand musical boundaries.

Community Service Opportunities:
Children will get opportunities to understand of the power of ‘giving’. We hope this will help build concerned and well rounded children.

Gardening Corner:
Gardening engages children by providing an interactive environment to observe, discover, experiment, nurture and learn. These living laboratories creates a unique environment where interdisciplinary lessons are drawn from real life experiences.

  • Parul Chandra
  • Kavita Malik
  • Vibhu Mittal
  • Vijay Shriram
  • Sheena Vaidyanathan

ICC Preschool Address
India Community Center
525 Los Coches Street, Milpitas, CA 95035

ICC Preschool Phone Numbers
Ph: (408)934.1130 X 226
Fax: (408)934.1150
Email: preschool@indiacc.org

ICC Preschool Hours of Operation:
Monday – Friday
9:00am-3:00pm

ICC Preschool Website:
www.Indiacc.org/preschool

Is toilet training required?
Yes, it is required.

How do I find out about your tuition?
To inquire about tuition, please go to our summer session on the above links. For more details contact the Preschool Office at 408.934.1130, email preschool@www.indiacc.org

At what age do you begin accepting children?
We welcome children ages three years to five years.

What are your child:teacher ratios?
Three year olds – five years old 8:1

Are snacks and lunch provided?
We provide nutritious mid-morning and mid-afternoon snacks. Parents are responsible for providing a lunch.

Do you have to be an ICC member for your child to attend the preschool?
No, you do not have to be an ICC member but you do get a discount if you have an Annual ICC Membership.

Do you have to be an Indian to attend?
No, we welcome families from all backgrounds and ethnicities into our preschool family. All children are exposed to a Indian curriculum that include celebrations and values.

What is the application process?
Upon choosing the ICC Preschool for your child, you will need to submit an application with an application fee and deposit. For more details contact the Preschool Office at 408.934.1130, email preschool@www.indiacc.org

What ages do you serve?
Our Preschool begins at age three and goes through PreK (five years old)

Who can pick up my child from school?
For your child’s security and your peace of mind, you must give written permission for any individual to pick up your child. You may use the Emergency Contact and Pick-Up Authorization form, email or a written note. If you have not personally introduced us to this person, we will ask for identification.

How often do you clean the classrooms?
To decrease the spread of illnesses and germs, general housekeeping chores are part of the teachers’ daily routine and toys are sanitized often. A professional cleaning crew also takes care of cleaning, vacuuming and mopping on a regular basis. They also clean rugs/carpets and wax the floors as needed.

Do you let the children watch television?
Occasionally, we will use videos to enhance a lesson or demonstrate a point directly related to a project, for example to show an animal in motion, an example of a dance or for a “tour” of India. These will be used for specific educational purposes, and we will limit the duration of the videos.

What are the staff qualifications?
Lead teachers meet the CA licensing requirement and often exceed the necessary qualifications. All have taken formal early childhood education classes, and many hold degrees in early childhood education or a related field. They are also well acquainted with Indian values and traditions. Assistant teachers also exceed basic requirements.

ICC PRESCHOOL ENROLLMENT

 

Step 1: Preschool Enrollment Form
After you explore our Preschool Program on our website, if your values and philosophies coincide
with ours, please feel free to fill out this form. This form informs us of your interest in our program.
After we receive your form we will contact you to set up a Tour

Step 2: Parent Tours
We offer scheduled personalized tours for parents to gain a better understanding of the ICC
Preschool & Philosophy. The tour takes place on a weekdays (Monday through Friday) from
10.30am to 5:00pm. You call also call our office at 408-934-1130 ext.226 to make an appointment
for a personalized tour. Tours will not be given without appointments. During your visit you will
learn about:

  • A brief history of ICC Preschool class format, guides, and schedules
  • A discussion on classroom ratios, environment, and curriculum
  • Waiting lists and the registration process

*We will contact you once we receive your wait list form to set up a tour

Step 3: Trial Session
We believe in the importance of smooth transitions for each child. Once you have had a tour and
your family in interested in enrolling we will be happy to also offer a trial session (30mins) to your
child. This will give you an opportunity to participate as well as observe some of our daily activities.
This will give a chance for parents and children to adjust to the new environment and ask any
questions you may have.

Step 4: Registration
During your trail session you will get information regarding the classroom orientation and
registration. We will have you fill out paperwork and give you an official start date. Any payment for
first month’s tuition will be paid on the first official start date. If you have any questions regarding
tuition please contact our office.

Please fill the Preschool Enrollment Form if you would like to be considered for the Preschool Program and email it to:
Kilma Desai
Email: kilma@indiacc.org, (408) 934-1130 x 217
Jasmin Antony
Email: jasmin@indiacc.org, (408) 934-1130 x 262

We look forward on to welcoming you and your child to our Preschool.

Curriculum for 3 to 4 year old Preschool class

Readiness Skills that the children will practice all through the year

Literacy Skills

  • Fine Motor Coordination using droppers, scissors, beading, lacing, markers and crayons
  • Pre-Writing Practice (pencil grip)
  • Eye-Hand Coordination
  • Working with manipulative

Language Skills

  • Alphabet Recognition Upper Case (A to Z)
  • Alphabet Recognition Lower Case (a to z)
  • Tracing Alphabets Upper Case (A to Z)
  • Alphabet Review Upper Case (A to Z)
  • Alphabet Order Upper Case (Dot to Dot)
  • Phonics
  • Alphabet and beginning sounds

MATHS SKILLS

  • Tracing Numbers (1 to 10)
  • Number Review (1 to 10)
  • Numerical Order (Dot to Dot) 1 to 10
  • Count and Match (1 to 10)
  • Counting using objects (1 to 5) then (6 to 10)
  • Numerical Sequence (write the missing numbers)
  • Shapes
  • Tracing Shapes
  • Learning and counting sides of geometric shapes (triangle, square, rectangle, diamond, pentagon, hexagon, octagon)
  • Shapes Review
  • Size Comparison (same, big, small, medium)
  • Patterns

BASIC SKILLS

  • Colors (red, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, black and white)
  • Colors Review
  • Sorting
  • Classifying (same and different)
  • Visual discrimination
  • Opposites
  • Sequencing 3 picture cards
  • Sequencing 4 picture cards

OTHER CURRICULUM

  • Science & Nature
  • Social Studies
  • Our World – Geography
  • Cooking Experience
  • Gross Motor games and activities
  • Yoga
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Music Movement
  • Gardening
  • Community Service
  •  Family Time with Parents, Grandparents or Special Friends

Curriculum for 4 to 5 year old Preschool class

LITERACY SKILLS

  • Fine Motor Coordination using droppers, scissors, beading, lacing, markers and crayons
  • Pre-Writing Practice (pencil grip)
  • Eye-Hand Coordination
  • Working with manipulative

LANGUAGE SKILLS

  • Alphabet Recognition Upper Case (A to Z)
  • Alphabet Recognition Lower Case (a to z)
  • Tracing Alphabets Upper Case (A to Z)
  • Tracing Alphabets Lower Case (a to z)
  • Alphabet Review Upper Case (A to Z)
  • Alphabet Review Lower Case (a to z)
  • Alphabet Order Upper Case (Dot to Dot)
  • Alphabet Order Lower Case (Dot to Dot)
  • Phonics
  • Alphabet and beginning sounds
  • Matching Upper case with Lower case
  • Rhyming Words

MATH SKILLS

  • Number Recognition (1 to 100)
  • Tracing Numbers (1 to 10)
  • Tracing Numbers (11 to 20)
  • Number Review (1 to 10)
  • Number Review (11 to 20)
  • Numerical Order (Dot to Dot) 1 to 20
  • Count and Match (1 to 20)
  • Counting using objects (1 to 5) then (6 to 10)
  • Counting using objects (11 to 15) then (15 to 20)
  • Numerical Sequence (write the missing numbers)
  • Recognition of Quarter, Dime, Penny and Nickel
  • Shapes
  • Tracing Shapes
  • Learning and counting sides of geometric shapes (triangle, square, rectangle, diamond, Pentagon, hexagon, octagon)
  • Introduction to 3 Dimensional Shapes
  • Shapes Review
  • Size / Weight Comparison (same, big, small, medium, heavy, light)
  • Picture Graphs
  • Few/Many Comparison
  • Greater than/Less than
  • Patterns
  • Measurement (long/short)
  • Half Whole

BASIC SKILLS

  • Colors (red, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, black and white)
  • Colors Review
  • Sorting
  • Classifying (same and different)
  • Positions (inside, outside, left, middle, right, above, below, top, bottom)
  • What goes together?
  • Visual discrimination
  • Opposites
  • Sequencing 3 picture cards
  • Sequencing 4 picture cards
  • Sequencing 6 picture cards

OTHER CURRICULUM

  • Science & Nature
  • Social Studies
  • Our World – Geography
  • Cooking Experience
  • Gross Motor games and activities
  • Yoga
  • Arts and Crafts
  • Music Movement
  • Gardening
  • Community Service
  • Family Time with Parents, Grandparents or Special Friends

1) “I have been sending my daughter to ICC preschool program since October 2022 and although we are relatively new, I feel at ease sending my 2 year old to the school. The atmosphere is very pleasant and friendly. All the teachers are very caring and willing to go that extra mile to care for the young kids. My daughter was not napping earlier and then Miss Jasmine figured out that sitting next to her is sufficient to assist her to fall asleep. I feel that was very kind of her to ensure that my little one is not over tired when I pick her up in the evening. The director and assistant director, Miss Kilma and Miss Jasmine are always actively involved in interacting with the children, supporting teachers and helping with the daily routines and activities.

Her teachers Miss Saloni and Miss Sharda are always smiling and sharing how well my daughter has transitioned to the school routines including peer interactions.
Every Friday, I am amazed at some of the school work my daughter participates in and it’s heartening to know that these little minds are challenged and taught new things.
I absolutely love how ICC involves parents during celebrations and gives a sense of a big ICC family.
I am glad my daughter goes to ICC and happy to have found this nurturing and safe place for my girl! I highly recommend ICC preschool to fellow parents looking for a preschool where teachers care for the kids like their own.”
2) “All your motherly worries end here” 
 As parents, we would like to thank the entire staff of ICC for making Hashim a part of their family and giving him much required love and care. His language skills and social interaction has improved. I really appreciate how Ms Kilma and Ms. Jasmine helped us in navigating tough initial days of school and made us feel comfortable. I really appreciate the efforts of the entire ICC team in taking away my motherly worries – (Parents of Syed)