At Civitan Preschool, we believe children grow best when therapy meets play, movement, and imagination. That’s why we go beyond traditional treatment rooms – offering specialized spaces and services designed to nurture your child’s development in fun and meaningful ways.

Natural Playground

Children thrive in outdoor environments—and so do therapy goals. With the colors and materials of nature, Natural playgrounds provide a calming atmosphere for those who are easily over stimulated and encourage free exploration. The playground promotes growth of developmental skills through pretend play and object manipulation.

The idea of a natural playground emerged when a parent of a child with autism approached us with the suggestion of creating a space designed specifically for children with autism and sensory processing disorders.  With the help of Ms. Billy Creek and many others in the community, we were able to create a soothing and calming natural playground. The natural playground is now a welcoming environment where children of all abilities can explore, play, and grow together

Our Natural Playground features:

• A Natural-Colored Cabin with Natural Kitchen Furniture for dramatic play
• Sensory Walk with Various Textures (Turf, River Rock, Gravel, Sand)
• Musical Chimes (Natural Materials and Metal Chimes) and a Thunder Drum
• A large art mural wall that is interactive for our children in wheelchairs
• A simulated natural bridge over a creek
• Fairy gardens
• Sensory tires with sand for digging
• Outdoor kitchens
• Flower and vegetable gardens.

These areas were carefully planned to help children experience a sensory rich environment with different textures, sounds, sights, and a variety of imaginative play adventures.  This space fosters gross motor development, social learning, and regulation—while kids have fun just being kids.

Sensory Room

The Sensory Room was created to support a growing number of children with autism, sensory processing difficulties, and behaviors due to the inability to self-regulate and remain calm.  It serves as a preventative and therapeutic space to help children manage emotions and return to learning.

Our calming, customizable sensory room helps children:

• Self-regulate and reduce anxiety
• Improve attention and focus
• Explore sensory input in a safe, supportive setting

Our sensory rooms is equipped with the following equipment:

• Vestibular swings
• tactile walls
• light panels
• bubble tubes
• rock climbing wall
• squeeze machine
• quiet zones

 This space is a favorite among all of the children, especially those with autism, ADHD, and sensory processing differences.

Kindergarten Readiness Skills

In our Pre-K program, we place a strong emphasis on helping children develop the foundational skills they need to be successful in kindergarten. Through individualized goals, structured routines, and developmentally appropriate activities, children work on a wide range of kindergarten readiness skills across all areas of development.

Kindergarten Readiness Skills We Target Include:

• Following directions and classroom routines
• Recognizing and writing their name
• Identifying letters, numbers, shapes, and colors
• Holding a pencil and using scissors with control
• Listening and attending during group activities
• Asking for help and expressing needs appropriately
• Taking turns and sharing with peers
• Sitting for short periods during structured tasks
• Understanding and using basic concepts (big/little, over/under, etc.)
• Sorting, matching, and making simple patterns
• Engaging in pretend play and cooperative games
• Managing transitions and changes in routine
• Demonstrating self-care skills (handwashing, toileting, dressing)

Our goal is to support each child in gaining the confidence, communication, social-emotional, and motor skills needed to thrive in a kindergarten classroom setting.

Kindergarten Waiver Program

The Kindergarten Waiver Program gives families the option to delay kindergarten enrollment by one year.  When it is in the best interest of the child, the family has the option to allow the child to remain in a Pre-K class room setting an additional year, thus giving the child the skills to be successful in kindergarten and beyond.

Reasons a Child Might Need to Waive Kindergarten

• Developmental Delays: The child may need additional time to strengthen motor skills, communication, or cognitive abilities.
• Social-Emotional Immaturity: Difficulty with regulation, transitions, group play, or separating from caregivers.
• Therapeutic Needs: Children receiving speech, occupational, or physical therapy may benefit from continued support before starting school.
• Medical Concerns: A health condition or medical history may affect the child’s readiness or stamina for a full-day classroom.
• Late Birthdays: Some families choose to delay entry so the child is among the oldest rather than the youngest in the class.

How a Waiver Helps

Delaying kindergarten allows children to:

• Build foundational academic and readiness skills
• Strengthen confidence, maturity, and emotional regulation
• Continue individualized therapy for another year
• Transition more successfully into a school setting the following year

Want to Learn More?

We’d love to show you how our therapy environments make a difference. Schedule a tour or contact us to see our spaces in action!