Kindergarten

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At the Kindergarten, the experiential approach to learning leads students to discover knowledge and self-awareness and guides them in acquiring the skills necessary for the transition to elementary school.

Educational Program

Through our educational program, we create unique educational activities that cultivate the senses and spark an interest in learning, promoting knowledge and skill development. The Kindergarten, as a socializing agent for children outside the family context, helps in the holistic and balanced development of preschoolers—physically, cognitively, emotionally, and socially.

 

Our educational program is primarily implemented at the School’s educational farm, in the woodlands, the aromatic plant fields, and on the lush green paths. Within the unique natural environment of the American Farm School, students explore and discover gaining experiences that help them develop their personalities in a well-rounded and balanced manner.

Program Pillars

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Nature

Exploring nature and the farm

English

Daily emphasis on English Language acquisition

STEM

Teaching basic STEM principles

Autonomy

Developing children’s autonomy, personal and social growth

Cooperation

Promoting team play and cooperation skills

Diversity

Teaching with respect to diversity

Senses

Providing stimuli and experiences from the natural environment

Literacy and Culture

Cultivating literacy, culture and social skills

Our teaching staff is dedicated to the continuous evaluation of the program in the aims of maintaining and improving its prominent position as a model school for innovation. In collaboration with U.S. educational institutions we are creating a truly unique space for quality learning, creative thinking and meaningful educational experiences for our students and their parents.

 

The unique natural environment of the American Farm School gives the students the chance to explore and discover, and gain experiences that help them equally develop all different aspects of their personalities.

 

At the heart of Environmental Education lies our Basic Experiential Learning Program in Land Cultivation and Making Good Use of Nature. The program is a complete activity cycle which includes:

 

• Autumn and spring planting program, taking care of the crops and making good use of the harvest through recipes.

• Familiarizing students with machines used in agriculture and the way they function.

• Educational visits to all facilities of the American Farm School (Orchard, Vineyard-Winery, Olive grove – Olive Center, Snail Farm, Apiary, Cowshed, Dairy, Hen house).

• Making good use of the Educational Farm through various experiential and environmental activities.

• Familiarizing students with life in nature through fieldtrips to areas of environmental interest.

The program is implemented through activities with dogs focused on literacy and socio-emotional development. Interaction with animals enhances social behavior, emotional comfort, reduces feelings of loneliness and anxiety, and serves as a source of boosting self-esteem.

English Language

English language learning is part of our daily program.

 

Our primary goal is to cultivate the children’s desire to communicate in English, through organized activities such as games, songs, stories, role playing and using flash cards.

 

The daily activities on the AFS campus, provide particularly creative fields that offer additional stimuli for the development of the language.  We also introduce American customs, traditions, and small celebrations organized for this purpose (Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas).

Services

Support and counseling are provided by professionals in the field of psychology and special education. This includes:

 

• Weekly visits by the child psychologist to ensure direct cooperation and communication with the teaching staff on matters concerning the mental health of the children, as well as the overall functioning of the classrooms in every educational process.

• Weekly counseling sessions with parents and guardians.

• Visits by an occupational therapist for partial assessment of the children’s basic skills.

• Parent workshops for all parents and guardians, taking place in a group setting based on the principles of experiential learning through a systemic perspective. The themes address everyday life issues as well as special educational concerns.

All the personnel are trained in first aid, and there is a nurse on call. A pediatrician visits the school weekly, and each student is individually examined in a specially designed care and supervision area. In case of an accident, the school provides our students with private insurance at any private hospital.

Students are transported to and from the School in the AFS school buses. Experienced drivers and attendants are responsible for the safe and timely transfer of the students to and from the Pre-K throughout the school year.

 

The bus routes are studied carefully and are always designed to provide the best possible service, while ensuring the safe transportation of our students.

The Kindergarten operates a restaurant to prepare and serve daily meals for our students. The School uses fresh ingredients sourced from the Educational Farm (milk, eggs, butter, flour) and other carefully selected producers to create menus that satisfy the nutritional needs of the students.

 

Breakfast is provided for all students. In addition, students can opt into the lunch service provided through the school restaurant. The meal plan is designed by a nutritionist to meet the requirements of a balanced diet, using only seasonal ingredients, and following the Mediterranean diet model.

Kindergarten students wear a school uniform both for practical reasons and for comfort. The uniform features the American Farm School’s colors and logo. Students should wear it daily, especially during school visits and educational trips.

Extra-curricular Clubs aim to further the cognitive and emotional skills of the students and develop their personal talents.

 

The clubs are available to students throughout the school year, and offer the following:

• Small groups

• Qualified trainers

 

Students who don’t wish to participate in a Club may engage in creative activities in the school area until their departure.

The American Farm School places a premium on the security of our students, staff and families. Security guards are stationed at all the entrances and exit points in order to ensure the safety of our students.

 

The security of the campus, including staff, students, resident students and visitors, is ensured by the Campus Security Office. The department’s personnel conduct patrols throughout the day covering all areas within the School and those surrounding the premises.

 

In the same vein, the Kindergarten adheres to regulations that ensure the safe transportation of our students, within or outside the school, during the school program, and during outings and field trips.

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The Kindergarten is located in the center of the School, in an exceptional natural environment with easy access to gardens and greenhouses, which serve as the main focus of our environmental and experiential programs. The building spans 1,500 m² and was designed using bioclimatic principles, emphasizing the maximum use of natural light.

 

The school includes classrooms, a multipurpose and multimedia room, outdoor and indoor play areas, staff offices, meeting rooms, and a designated dining area.

Admissions

Contact us

Tel: 2310 492 848
Email: admissions@afs.edu.gr

For complete registration the following are required:

 

• Registration form and child’s introduction to the School’s facilities.

• Child’s photo (“identity” photo).

• Copy of the child’s health booklet or other medical forms, which identify all required vaccinations and dental examinations.

• Child’s birth certificate or family status certificate which confirms the child’s age.

• Advance deposit as indicated on the annual tuition and fees form.

 

All necessary forms and documents must be submitted to the Admissions Office (2310 492 848, admissions@afs.edu.gr)

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