Our Pre-Kindergarten Classroom
Primrose® introduces and reinforces new information through playful exploration, teacher-guided inquiry and rich discussion as they help foster Active Minds, Healthy Bodies, and Happy Hearts®. Your child will have fun every day as they play and learn important academic skills, social skills and more, because when they are mentally, physically and emotionally ready to learn a skill, they develop mastery.
Nurturing Active Minds, Healthy Bodies, and Happy Hearts
Active Minds
- Language & LiteracyLanguage & Literacy
The early years of your child’s life are the most important for literacy development. Your child is immersed in many rich literacy activities each day to support their emerging early literacy skills.
- Science, Engineering & TechnologyScience, Engineering & Technology
Children are natural scientists and engineers. They turn their environment upside down trying to discover how objects work! Teachers extend this learning by engaging your child in meaningful questioning and discussion. Your pre-kindergartener also uses scientific tools to observe, explore, record, ask questions and form and test hypotheses.
- MathematicsMathematics
Your child is comparing and sorting objects, recognizing quantities without counting (subitizing), and identifying, extending and creating patterns as they prepare for math operations like addition, division and even algebra.
- Social StudiesSocial Studies
In the pre-kindergarten classroom, your child will also practice taking turns, self-control, cooperation and negotiation skills. Your child learns about respect, kindness, and generosity and how important these traits are when working with others.
Healthy Bodies
- Thumbs Up!: Physical DevelopmentThumbs Up!: Physical Development
Active children are more likely to become active adults. Through a wide range of indoor and outdoor games, free-play, and activities, your child develops both small motor and large motor skills.
- Health & Safety
- Balanced Menus: NutritionBalanced Menus: Nutrition
Lunch is more than a tasty, nutritious meal. It’s an opportunity for your child to become more independent as they practice serving themselves and cleaning up after meals. Their teachers monitor eating and talk to the children about the nutritional value and health benefits of the food items they are enjoying.
Happy Hearts
- Character Development & Life SkillsCharacter Development & Life Skills
We believe who children become is as important as what they know. That’s why Pre-Kindergarten teachers use books, music, activities and more to help your child understand concepts like sharing, kindness and generosity.
- Social SkillsSocial Skills
Primrose school teachers use the Rules of the Roost, Primrose Friends puppets and more to help your pre-kindergartener learn to be kind to themselves and each other, take care of the classroom materials and be respectful to others.
- Early Art Masters: Creative Arts & ExpressionEarly Art Masters: Creative Arts & Expression
Visual and creative arts stimulate your child’s imagination and critical-thinking skills, which help in other areas of learning and development. Music is a universal language made up of patterns, fractions and sequences, and teachers use it to reinforce mathematical and reading concepts.
Our Pre-Kindergarten Classroom Teachers & Staff
Ms. Veppert
I’m Ms. Veppert and I was a Pre-Kindergarten teacher here at Primrose for over ten years before becoming the Assistant Director. I’m originally from Rootstown, Ohio where I lived until moving to Columbus to attend The Ohio State University. After graduating in 2012 with my Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, I began working at the Primrose School of Johnstown Road and have been here ever since! I love teaching and it’s really become my passion. My favorite part is getting to know the families-even teaching multiple kids from each family! I know that going to work each day, I’ll never have a dull moment! In my spare time, I love reading, crafting, and spending time with friends and family.
Mr. Lape
I’m Mr. Lape and I am a Pre-Kindergarten teacher here at Primrose. I have been working with children for 37 years as an educator and a gymnastics coach. I was a member of the Ohio State men’s gymnastics team from 1983-87 and part of the ‘85 NCAA Championship Team. I spent nine months living in England and I have also lived in Oregon and Washington where I enjoyed sail boarding and some mountain climbing. I have three grown children, a daughter and twin boys. My wife, Jenn, and I live in the woods in Johnstown with our fluffy dog, Daisy, and our loud cat, Echo.
Ms. Urban
Hi, my name is Ms. Urban and I am so excited to be a Teacher here at Primrose School of Johnstown Road. I have been in the Early Childhood Education field for a couple years now with almost a year being in Preschool. Currently working on my degree in Elementary Education. In my free time, I love cooking and spending time with my friends and family. My favorite thing about working with children is watching how much they grow everyday! My favorite children’s book is ‘Our Class is a Family’, by Shannon Sonke because it helps build and strengthen the classroom community and let’s children know this is a safe space for them to be themselves.
Mrs. Pennell
I’m Mrs. Pennell and I’m a Pre-K teacher here at Primrose. I moved from Arizona to Ohio after I got married in September 2019. I was an elementary teacher in Arizona and really missed being in a classroom, so when I heard about Primrose, I jumped at the chance! It was a big leap from 5th grade to Pre-K, but I have loved every minute of it. These kids show so much love, it brings me back every year. When I’m not hanging out with my Pre-K kids, I enjoy playing with my 2 dogs, Flash and Walle. I also enjoy photography, cooking, and traveling back to Arizona to visit all my family!
Ms. Ward
I am a Gahanna Lincoln graduate and attended Ohio State School of Cosmetology. I have worked with children for the last 10 years and have found it to be the most rewarding career experience. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my daughter and family. A few hobbies of mine are visiting record/book stores, watching documentaries, and going on small outdoor adventures. This year at Primrose, I look forward to watching our center grow and meeting all the new children and families!
Ms. Hashmi
I completed my Bachelor’s of Science from Pakistan. We moved to the United States in 2014 and I worked in logistics for four years. My backgroung is in teaching and I have such a passion for making a difference for young growing minds so in 2018, I started my journey at Primrose. I love being around children because they keep me motivated and constantly entertained! They are the purest souls and everything about them is so genuine!