Fall Fest at The Academy of Westhaven!

This past Friday, our preschool was filled with laughter, color, and fall cheer as we celebrated our annual Fall Festival! Families joined us for a day full of exciting activities, creative play, and plenty of smiles. It was the perfect way to welcome the season and make lasting memories together.

Our little learners had a blast exploring the Halloween-themed sensory bins, where they scooped, poured, and discovered spooky surprises hidden among colorful rice, squishy eyeballs, and mini pumpkins. These bins were not only fun but also a great way to strengthen fine motor skills and spark curiosity!

One of the biggest hits of the night was face painting! From sparkly butterflies to friendly monsters, our preschoolers loved choosing their favorite designs and showing off their new looks to friends and family.

The excitement didn’t stop there—our bounce house was full of energy and laughter all evening long. It was wonderful to see the children hopping, bouncing, and giggling together while enjoying some active playtime.

To top off the fun, each child got to show off their creativity at our pumpkin painting station. With brushes in hand and paint of every color, the children turned simple pumpkins into beautiful works of art to take home and display proudly.

We are so grateful to all the families who joined us and helped make this day such a success. Events like our Fall Festival are what make our preschool community so special—filled with joy, connection, and a whole lot of fun! 

Spooky Season at the Academy of Westhaven!

 

What a magical week we had at preschool! Our classrooms were full of creativity, laughter, and a little bit of Halloween Spirit as we explored fun fall activities together. Here are a few highlights from our week: 

Fine Witches Motor Broom Activity 

Our young friends worked on their fine motor skills this week with our "Fine Witches Motor Broom" challenge! The children used beads, pipe cleaners, and tongs to create tiny spooky treasures! This playful activity strengthened hand muscles and coordination - all while sparking imagination and giggles. 

Boo Houses

Our classrooms turned into little construction zones as we made Boo House! Using cardboard boxes, paint, construction paper, and fun Halloween stickers, the children worked together to build and decorate their own haunted houses! This activity encouraged teamwork, creativity, and some crafty fun! 

Pajama Day 

We ended our week with a cozy pajama day! Everyone came to school in their favorite PJ's, ready for a day filled with stories, songs, and warm, fuzzy fun! We read bedtime themed books, sipped on pretend cocoa, and even had a special "dreamy" dance party! It was the perfect way to end our busy week! 

We're so proud of how engaged and excited our preschoolers were this week. Each activity helped build important early learning skills - while keeping the magic of the season alive. We can't wait to see what fun next week brings! 

Fall is for Family at the Academy of Westhaven!

As the leaves begin to turn and the air grows crisp, fall gently reminds us to slow down, gather close, and cherish time with the ones who matter most - our families! At Academy of Westhaven, we believe that the beauty of the season lies not just in the colors outside, but in moments we create together. Here's a peek at what we did last week and how we made the most of this cozy, connection-filled season! 

We kicked off the season with a Car Seat Safety Check hosted in our parking lot. Certified technicians helped families ensure that car seats were installed correctly and safely - a small action that can make a big difference in keeping our little ones protected! It was wonderful to see so many parents take part in this important event. 

Our Fall Family Scavenger hunt brought out the adventurer in everyone! With colorful lists in hand, families walked, explored, and searched for signs of the season - from crunchy leaves to acorns and everything in between! The joy was in the journey, and it was heartwarming to see parents and kids laughing, collecting, and connecting outdoors. 

We continued the fall fun with our children's favorite day of the year! Bike day! The playground was buzzing with energy as children proudly pedaled, scooted, and glided around the playground. It was such a joy to see their confidence grow as they practiced balance, coordination, and sharing the "road" with friends. A big thank you to all the parents for helping transport bikes, trikes, and helmets.

 

 

To finish off the week we gathered as a community for our Fall Family Picnic! Families gathered on the playground lawn with blankets, baskets, and big smiles, creating a beautiful patchwork or laughter and connection. The children were thrilled to show off their favorite outdoor games, share treats with their friends and family and explore the crunchy leaves that covered the ground! Events like these remind us that preschool is more than a classroom - it's a community!

Grandparents Day Celebration!

 

Grandparents Day Celebration!

Last week, we were thrilled to welcome grandparents into our school for a very special Grandparents Day Celebration and what a joyful afternoon it was!

From the moment grandparents arrived, our halls were filled with smiles, hugs, and happy chatter. The children were so excited to show off their classrooms and share this meaningful time with some of the most important people in their lives.

In each classroom, students and their grandparents worked side-by-side on fun and meaningful Grandparents Day crafts. Whether it was decorating picture frames, making handprint art, or creating colorful cards, every activity was designed to spark creativity and connection.

We also had a photo station set up, where families could capture the moment with sweet snapshots — complete with festive backdrops and props. These photos will be treasured for years to come!

After the crafts and photos, everyone gathered to enjoy a lovely spread of treats and refreshments. Cookies, fruit, lemonade, and other goodies gave grandparents and grandchildren a chance to sit, snack, and share stories together.

Grandparents play such an important role in our children's lives offering love, guidance, and traditions that help shape who they are. This celebration was a small way to honor that relationship and say “thank you” for all they do.

Thank You to Our Families!

We’re so grateful to all the families who helped make this event a success.. whether by inviting grandparents, helping with setup, or just encouraging your child to participate with enthusiasm and love.

Back to School at The Academy of Westhaven

Welcome back, families! We've officially kicked off the school year with a week filled with laughter, creativity and community. Our back to school week was all about easing into routines, making new friends, and celebrating the joy of being together again. Here's a look of what we got into each day: 

Monday - Back to School Sensory Bin

We kicked off the week by diving hands-first into our Back to School Sensory Bins! From soft pom-poms to letter beads, little hands explored textures, colors, and surprises hidden deep in the bins! It was a gentle and joyful way to ease into the classroom setting and let students explore at their own pace. 

Tuesday - Color Run 

Tuesday was all about movement and magic during our Color Run! With child-safe powdered colors and big smiles, our little runners zoomed through a playful obstacle course while being sprinkled with vibrant hues. This activity brought energy, excitement, and lots of laughter - the perfect way to build community and get those wiggles out! 

Wednesday - Back to School Time Capsules 

On Wednesday, we took a sweet and reflective turn by creating our very own Back to School Time Capsules. Each child added drawings of themselves, favorite things, and a handprint to be sealed and saved until the end of the school year. These keepsakes will be such a special surprise to open in the spring - a snapshot of who they were at the start of their preschool adventure. 

Thursday: New Friend, Friendship Bracelets 

To wrap up the week, we focused on what really makes school special: friends! Children worked together to make Friendship Bracelets, choosing colorful beads and learning about kindness and connection. It was incredibly heartwarming to see new friendships blooming and tiny hands helping each other string beads with care.

We are so grateful for your support in making Back to School Week a success! Your children brought joy, curiosity, and so much love into the classroom. We can't wait to keep growing, learning and laughing together this year. Stay tuned for next week as our adventure into the school year begins! 

 

Animal Planet At The Academy

This past week, our preschool was transformed into a vibrant, animal-filled wonderland as we celebrated Animal Planet Week! From furry friends to jungle beats, each day brought new adventures, laughter, and learning. Here's a look at the unforgettable experiences your little ones had: 

A Day at The Farm

We kicked off the week with a trip to the countryside (without ever leaving the school)! Children had hands-on fun as they learned all about life on the farm! Our sensory bins were filled with corn kernels and hay, and our friends enjoyed a finger-painting activity that turned into a colorful barnyard mural! 

Animal Parade 

On Tuesday, the preschool halls turned into a wild catwalk for our animal parade! Dressed as lions, tigers, hippos, baboons, and zebras the children marched to lively music showing off their costumes and animal moves! 

Safari Exploration 

Wednesday brought out the explorer in everyone as we ventured on a pretend safari through our transformed playground. Equipped with binoculars and safari hats, children searched for hidden animals and animal tracks. We talked about habitats, animal diets, and the importance of protecting wildlife! 

Jungle Jam 

Our school turned into a rhythm-filled rainforest for our Jungle Jam! Our friends stepped inside a giant inflatable globe for an unforgettable adventure! Surrounded by vibrant jungle scenery, the kiddos danced to tropical tunes and bounced all around! It was a magical, immersive experience that turned music time into a wild and wonderful celebration! 

Animal Planet week was a roaring success thanks to the enthusiasm of our students, the support of our wonderful families, and the creativity of our dedicated teachers. Your children amazed us with their curiosity, imagination, and kindness toward all creatures big and small! 

Stay tuned for our last themed week of the summer!