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Preschool in Newbern, TN for Ages 3 to 5

Kindergarten-readiness curriculum in a nurturing, licensed environment

The three-to-five years are a window that doesn't come back. What children learn during the preschool years — how to handle a pencil, how to sit in a circle, how to name their feelings, how to recognize letters and numbers — shapes how they experience every single year of school after. At Smarty Tots Too in Newbern, TN, we take that seriously. Our preschool program is not playtime with structure bolted on. It's an intentional, age-appropriate curriculum designed to give children ages 3 to 5 the cognitive, social, and emotional foundation they need to walk into kindergarten confident and ready.

We've been doing this in Newbern and serving families across Dyer County — from Dyersburg, Trenton, Halls, and beyond — for over 15 years. We know what Tennessee kindergarten teachers look for. And we build it into every day in our preschool room.

What Our Preschool Curriculum Covers

Our curriculum is built around the skills kindergarten teachers actually assess when a new student walks through the door:

• Early literacy — letter recognition, letter sounds (phonological awareness), pre-reading skills, vocabulary building, and exposure to a wide variety of books and stories
• Early mathematics — counting to 20 and beyond, number recognition, one-to-one correspondence, sorting, patterns, and basic shapes
• Writing readiness — proper pencil grip, fine motor development, tracing, copying shapes and letters, and name writing
• Social-emotional learning — sharing, taking turns, understanding and naming emotions, conflict resolution strategies, empathy, and classroom expectations
• Science and discovery — hands-on exploration activities that build curiosity, observation skills, and the habit of asking "why"
• Creative arts — drawing, painting, collage, music, movement, and dramatic play that develops imagination and self-expression
• Gross motor development — outdoor play and structured movement activities that develop coordination and physical confidence

A Day in the Preschool Room

Structure and play are not opposites — they're partners. Our preschool schedule balances focused learning time with free exploration, keeping young children engaged without overwhelming them:

• Morning circle — calendar, weather observation, letter and number of the week, morning message
• Structured learning time — teacher-led small group activities targeting literacy, math, or science concepts
• Learning centers — self-directed exploration at literacy, math, dramatic play, blocks, art, and sensory stations
• Outdoor play — daily gross motor development and unstructured social play outdoors when weather allows
• Story time — daily read-alouds with comprehension discussions and vocabulary enrichment
• Rest / quiet time — a consistent break built into each day for rest and recharge
• Afternoon activities — project-based learning, creative arts, and additional center time

Kindergarten Readiness — Our Explicit Goal

When your child leaves our preschool program, we want their kindergarten teacher to notice the difference. Children who come through Smarty Tots Too consistently arrive at kindergarten knowing their letters and sounds, recognizing numbers, writing their name, following multi-step directions, and participating in group learning without significant adjustment time.

That's not an accident. It's the result of a consistent, intentional curriculum delivered by experienced preschool teachers who understand where children this age are developmentally — and where they need to be by August of kindergarten year.

What Parents Tell Us Sets Smarty Tots Too Apart

There are other preschool options in the Newbern and Dyersburg area. Here is what families tell us sets Smarty Tots Too apart:

• Licensed and inspected — our facility holds a current Tennessee TDHS license covering all age groups including preschool. Licensing records are available to any parent who asks.
• Family-owned — Smarty Tots Too is not a chain. The people who operate this center are invested in the outcomes of every child, personally.
• Experienced teachers — our preschool caregivers have worked with this age group specifically and understand the balance of nurturing and structure that 3-to-5-year-olds need.
• TDHS subsidy accepted — qualifying Dyer County families can receive state financial assistance toward tuition. Call us before you apply to understand how the process works on our end.
• Convenient location — at 625 W Main St C in Newbern, we're about 15 minutes from Dyersburg via Highway 51, and easily accessible from Trenton, Halls, and surrounding communities.

Hours and Enrollment

Our preschool program is available during our full operating hours: Monday–Friday, 6:00 AM–5:30 PM. Major holidays result in center closures; a printed annual calendar is distributed to all families at enrollment so you can plan ahead. Preschool spots are limited — and fall is our busiest enrollment period.

Frequently Asked Questions — Preschool in Newbern, TN