Early Childhood | The Independence School

Inspiring imagination and independence.

Whether in Early Childhood I (age 3), Early Childhood II (age 4), or Kindergarten, each child steps into a warm, welcoming world where their unique talents and strengths are celebrated. Our experienced, dedicated teachers and classroom assistants make learning come alive by creating spaces that spark curiosity, nurture creativity, and invite children to express their ideas in meaningful and joyful ways. Through research-based best practices in Early Childhood Education, students build a strong foundation for continued growth and success. By the end of Kindergarten, students are confident, prepared, and eager to embark on the next exciting phase of their learning journey into Lower School.

The Early Childhood Indy Experience

Our Early Childhood program is thoughtfully designed to build from one level of complexity and challenge to the next. Along the way, children enjoy memorable experiences such as visiting a dentist’s office, exploring the beauty of the streams and ponds on campus, and planting and caring for their plants. Take a look at some of the exciting curriculum highlights below.

Learning to Explore

The Funk Outdoor classroom spans over 57,000 square feet and features 14 distinct play and learning areas designed just for our youngest learners. This nature-rich space, located beside our Early Childhood wing, encourages creativity, exploration, movement, and hands-on discovery with native plantings, natural materials like logs and boulders, and pathways built for wheeled toys.

Learning to Learn

Throughout the Early Childhood program, children have the freedom to work and play individually or in small, informal groups. These valuable interactions help them develop a sense of self and understanding of their place in the world. At the same time, they are given rich opportunities to learn and apply new skills in meaningful ways, building confidence in language and literacy, exploring number concepts, and discovering fascinating information about the world around them.

Learning to Communicate

Our classrooms foster learning and creativity through rich, language-focused experiences. In Early Childhood I, children are introduced to letters and numbers and begin exploring how to form them. As they learn to express their thoughts through illustrations and early writing, the Handwriting Without Tears program supports fine-motor development and accuracy in letter and numeral formation. By Kindergarten, students build on these skills through daily phonemic awareness and phonics activities, literature-based lessons, and journal writing. Every classroom is a language-rich environment, guiding each child on their exciting journey as a growing reader and writer.

Learning to Balance

Social-emotional learning is at the heart of every Early Childhood classroom. As children learn to play, share, and work together, teachers and assistants model positive interactions and gently guide the development of these essential skills. Through intentional lessons and meaningful teachable moments, Early Childhood and Kindergarten teachers nurture students’ empathy, resilience, and interpersonal skills

Learning to Lead

The Patriot Pals program, which pairs up our ECI students with 8th graders, gives our youngest learners the chance to build confidence while forming friendships with their older role models. These special pairings offer our early childhood students a glimpse of what’s ahead, while giving our middle schoolers meaningful opportunities to model leadership and kindness.

Student-led conferences begin in Kindergarten, and this culminating event is a powerful way to deepen student engagement and build confidence. By taking the lead in sharing their progress, goals, and reflections, students develop ownership of their learning and strengthen communication skills.

Early Childhood I & II

Early Childhood Art

Early Childhood Language Arts

Early Childhood Math

Early Childhood Music

Early Childhood Physical & Health Education

Early Childhood Science

Early Childhood SEL

Early Childhood Social Studies

Kindergarten

Kindergarten Art

Kindergarten Language Arts

Kindergarten Math

Kindergarten Music

Kindergarten Physical & Health Education

Kindergarten Science

Kindergarten SEL

Kindergarten Social Studies

Meet Our Head of Early Childhood and Lower School, Christy Koense
"Our Early Childhood program is a joyful beginning—a place where curiosity is celebrated, friendships blossom, and every child feels known, loved, and inspired to learn.”

Meet Our Full Faculty & Staff