Warner’s Granite Bay Country Day School Curriculum
Warner’s Granite Bay Country Day School provides a balanced curriculum dedicated to the development of the “whole child” in a country farm setting—somewhat of a return to the “little schoolhouse” with the advantages of the latest improvements in Early Childhood Development.
Subject areas taught here are pre-reading, math, music, language arts, phonics, art, cooking, gardening, science, social studies, dance, children’s literature, poetry, physical fitness, Spanish, and more.
Each month’s activities are planned around a theme. Relating the daily lessons and activities to the theme allows children to correlate between one subject and another as well as carry experiences and skills with them throughout the month, which constantly reinforces their acquired skills and knowledge.
Our program is designed to develop the cognitive, physical, emotional, social and cultural needs of your child with a maximum teacher/student ratio of 1:9.
Cultural Enrichment
Our curriculum is enhanced with dance, music, art and drama.
Physical Development
Physical development of both fine and gross motor skills is provided. Fine motor skills are developed through activities such as painting, coloring, cutting, stringing beads and lacing cards. Gross motor skills are developed through outdoor play, tumbling and gymnastics, as well as classic children’s games, dances and fitness programs.
Social Development
A variety of unique activities and parties, as well as day to day play and interaction with teachers and peers help to contribute to the children’s social skills.
Emotional Development
Emotional needs are met by providing your child with a happy, stable, learning environment filled with fun, discovery and excitement on a daily basis. Self-esteem and self-confidence grow as your child realizes their self-worth and importance to the group. Every child in our school is unique and special and especially… an important member of the class!
Wholesome Environment
Our facilities are located on almost 2 acres of a garden/country farm-like setting. This setting allows your child the space to run, play, and explore. It is this setting which also enables your child to experience the benefits of the “practical living” portion of our curriculum. The practical living skills, which include cooking, baking, gardening, arts and crafts and care of animals, building, designing and planning play activities help the children gain skills they will use for the rest of their lives.
Positive & Enriching Results
Parents will observe continual development of responsibility as your child discovers the high self-esteem associated with his/her new-found skills. Children will be anxious to demonstrate their abilities by being a helper and an important part of the family.
Practical living skills are a child’s work. These tasks are taken very seriously by preschool children and are the basis of their perspectives of the real world, as well as providing an exciting learning environment that is rarely found in other preschools. Actual “fruits” of your child’s gardening experiences, such as peaches and tomatoes, will be brought home as further benefits of their efforts.
Our “whole child” curriculum and setting of our school and are designed to help promote the types of skills and development that will be a strong foundation for your child’s continuing education.
Many kindergarten and elementary teachers report students from our school have a greater sense of self-esteem and a greater knowledge base helping to give these students a head start in their education.
Warner’s Granite Bay Country Day School looks for positive behavior and constantly rewards the behavior with recognition and compliments. Children sometimes use behavior that is inappropriate. When this occurs, a child is gently reminded of what is appropriate and then redirected to a suitable activity. Our philosophy is that positive comments and good example produce positive behavior as well as a strong sense of self-worth. Modeling teachers enables the child to learn what is acceptable in a social environment. Children learn by imitation, so if they are treated with courtesy and respect, we have noticed they will in turn treat others with courtesy and respect.
Warner’s Granite Bay Country Day School Staff
OWNER / FOUNDER / DIRECTOR
Barbara Warner
Barbara Warner has been teaching children professionally since 1977. She’s happiest when caring for children and animals. The format of the country day school is composed of outstanding academic readiness skills training and an emphasis on socializing the preschool child in a group setting outside of his/her familial niche. This format also includes the care and feeding of small animals, gardening, cooking, and nature study. Having grown up in a family of farmers and ranchers, Barbara's parents were apricot and cherry growers in Saratoga, California as well as operators of a cattle ranch in southeastern Oregon. In this enriching environment, Barbara was afforded many opportunities with nature that many children never receive. It was her idyllic childhood playing in the orchards, fields and pastures of her parents’ farms and ranches that she developed her love and respect of all things in nature. Knowing the positive influence of these experiences, Barbara wanted to share these similar experiences with her tiny students. A hands-on approach to learning, featuring plant and animal care such as growing fruit trees, planting vegetable and flower gardens as well as caring for small animals such as bunnies, pygmy goats, chickens, fish and birds fosters both nurturing and responsible characteristics in children. Building a strong sense of self-esteem and self- confidence are crucial to a child’s social and academic success in school now and in years to come. The aforementioned activities make the program unique, although the academic portion of the curriculum is traditional. Barbara wants the families of the children attending her school to know her and to know about her. Barbara has been married for over 40 years and is the mother of three and grandmother of six. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree and teaching credentials from San Jose State University after attending The University of Santa Clara. She has taught both elementary and Junior High school prior to opening her first preschool daycare in Roseville in 1983, which she owned and operated for 15 years before opening her Country Day School in 1999. When touring the school with Barbara as she points out her students’ talents and accomplishments, one would think she was the boastful mother of each and every child in the school. As both a mother and grandmother, Barbara truly understands the love, aspirations, and concerns parents have for their children—when only the best will do. “Your child needs to be with teachers who truly care about and respect the child as an individual. Teaching needs to be positive and enthusiastic and teachers should always set a stellar example as a role model. It is vital that your child have a positive first experience with his/her first teacher, which sets the tome of the child’s approach and attitude towards the future.” Barbara adds, “If school is fun and teachers are caring, and learning is exciting, your child will approach future schooling with eager enthusiasm and a quest for learning.” Barbara assures parents that their child will love school and feel good about themselves and others based upon the preschool experiences which build high esteem and respect for others.
“We are have been there 51/2 years. You are always thinking of others and what’s best for our kiddos. Thank you Barbara and the teachers for loving, nurturing and caring so much about your students. We have had the BEST Preschool experience.“ - L.H.
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR / TEACHER
Moriah Wirth
“Every detail about this school and what you do to make it so special for the kids is greatly appreciated. Warner’s is our favorite part about living here and we appreciate how magical you make it for the kids and the whole family- every class. event, occasion and holiday has so much love and thought put into it.“ - J. C.
Lisa Stabbert
TEACHER
Laura Lewis
TEACHER
Sierra Lynn
TEACHER
“Thank you so much for all the flexability, love and kindness shown to our daughter. WGBCDS has been such a light for our family.” - A.G.
“…my only regret is not coming to your school sooner. You have something special and we are so thankful. Thank you for not giving up on our son and remaining positive to help him with his behavior. We will miss all of you and wish you all the best.” - J.S.