Every parent wants their child to succeed in school and in life. But what if we told you that the foundation for that success is built long before kindergarten—during those critical early years from birth to age five? Research confirms what early childhood educators have known for decades: 90% of a child's brain growth happens before kindergarten, making these years the most crucial window of opportunity for learning and development.
At Pacesetter Academy in Miramar, Florida, we specialize in early childhood education that harnesses this critical developmental period. Our approach, rooted in the renowned HighScope Curriculum, nurtures young minds by fostering a love of learning through active engagement, independent exploration, and comprehensive growth.
Why Early Childhood Education Matters More Than Ever
The Science Behind Early Learning
The evidence supporting early childhood education is overwhelming. Children who participate in high-quality preschool programs are more likely to arrive at school equipped with the social, cognitive, and emotional skills they need to continue learning. These benefits extend well beyond primary school—higher levels of educational success, employment, and social skills have all been linked to quality early childhood education participation.
Professor James J. Heckman's groundbreaking research found that every dollar invested in high-quality, birth-to-five programs delivers a 13% return on investment—the highest rate of any workforce development initiative. His studies analyzed outcomes throughout participants' lives, including income, IQ, schooling, health, crime rates, and mothers' ability to return to work.
The Current State of Early Education in America
National enrollment in state-funded preschool reached historic highs in 2023-2024, with 37% of 4-year-olds and 8% of 3-year-olds participating. Florida stands out as one of the first states to offer free prekindergarten for all 4-year-olds regardless of family income through its Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program. Since 2005, more than 3.1 million children have benefited from VPK, with data showing they are significantly more ready for kindergarten than children who don't participate.
However, many families in Miramar seek programs that go beyond VPK—comprehensive early childhood education that serves children from infancy through pre-K, providing continuity and developmental progression throughout these critical years.
The Pacesetter Academy Difference
HighScope Curriculum: Research-Based Excellence
At Pacesetter Academy, we implement the HighScope Preschool Curriculum, an educational approach based on more than 50 years of research on early childhood development. This curriculum has been directly evaluated and validated, with longitudinal studies showing that children who attend HighScope programs score higher on developmental measures than similar children in other preschool programs.
The HighScope approach focuses on eight content areas that encompass 58 key developmental indicators (KDIs):
1. Approaches to Learning: Fostering curiosity, initiative, problem-solving, and engagement
2. Social and Emotional Development: Building positive relationships, self-regulation, and emotional intelligence
3. Physical Development and Health: Supporting motor skills and healthy habits
4. Language, Literacy, and Communication: Developing vocabulary, early reading, and expressive language
5. Mathematics: Introducing number concepts, patterns, and spatial relationships
6. Creative Arts: Encouraging artistic expression and appreciation
7. Science and Technology: Promoting scientific thinking and exploration
8. Social Studies: Understanding community, culture, and social roles
Hands-On, Active Learning
Children at Pacesetter Academy don't just watch or listen—they actively engage with their environment. Whether they're building in the block area, experimenting with science materials, or collaborating with peers during dramatic play, every activity is designed to spark imagination and transform natural curiosity into a love for learning.
This active learning approach aligns with how young children naturally develop. Research shows that children learn best through hands-on experiences and meaningful interactions. The HighScope method empowers teachers to observe each child's unique interests and development level, then tailor learning experiences accordingly, ensuring every child is challenged but never overwhelmed.
The Plan-Do-Review Process
Central to HighScope is the Plan-Do-Review cycle, which promotes independence and executive functioning. Children choose activities, carry them out, and then reflect on their experiences. This process not only builds critical thinking skills but also teaches children to set goals, make decisions, and evaluate outcomes—abilities that serve them throughout life.
Preparing for Kindergarten Success
What Kindergarten Readiness Really Means
Kindergarten readiness encompasses far more than knowing the alphabet or counting to ten. Kindergarten teachers consistently identify social-emotional skills as the most critical factors for school success:
• Language and early literacy skills
• Listening abilities and focus
• Independence and self-control
• Curiosity and persistence
• Following multi-step directions
• Fine motor skills for writing and scissors
• Self-care abilities (bathroom independence, handwashing)
• Sharing, taking turns, and cooperation
How Pacesetter Academy Builds These Skills
Our comprehensive early childhood education program addresses all dimensions of kindergarten readiness. Through the HighScope Curriculum, children develop:
Social-Emotional Competencies: Research shows that social-emotional learning fosters both academic engagement and positive social behavior. Our teachers create warm, nurturing environments where children learn to express feelings, collaborate with others, and resolve conflicts constructively.
Language and Literacy Foundation: In HighScope classrooms, children develop literacy skills through meaningful language experiences combining child-initiated learning and intentional teacher guidance. Teachers narrate experiences, read engaging stories, introduce rich vocabulary, and create opportunities for children to experiment with writing and letter recognition.
Mathematical Thinking: Young children naturally notice relationships that form the foundation for mathematics. At Pacesetter Academy, children acquire math concepts through exploration and adult-guided experiences that respect their concrete thinking. Activities include sorting, measuring, comparing, counting, and recognizing patterns.
Physical Development: Preschoolers are physically active, and while children develop naturally, they benefit from intentional teaching that develops abilities to their fullest extent. Our program includes both fine motor activities (cutting, drawing, manipulating small objects) and gross motor experiences (running, jumping, climbing, ball skills).
Supporting the Whole Family
Meeting the Needs of Miramar's Working Families
With 71.4% of couple families having both parents in the workforce, quality early childhood education serves dual purposes: providing children with essential developmental experiences while enabling parents to maintain their careers. Pacesetter Academy recognizes these realities and designs our programs to support working families throughout Miramar and the surrounding Broward County communities.
Communication and Family Engagement
We believe parents are children's first and most important teachers. That's why we prioritize ongoing communication and family engagement. Through regular updates, parent conferences, and opportunities to participate in classroom activities, families stay connected to their child's learning journey. Research confirms that family engagement in early education enhances children's development and strengthens the home-school connection.
The Long-Term Impact of Quality Early Education
The benefits of high-quality early childhood education extend far into the future. Children who attend excellent preschool programs demonstrate:
Academic Achievement: Students show enhanced cognitive development, including better memory, improved problem-solving abilities, and stronger foundational skills. They're less likely to need remedial education or special services, saving taxpayer dollars and helping children maintain confidence.
Social-Emotional Strengths: Early learners develop crucial abilities like conflict resolution, empathy, self-regulation, and relationship-building. These social-emotional competencies predict school engagement and academic success as much as cognitive skills.
Economic Outcomes: Long-term studies tracking participants into adulthood reveal remarkable returns: higher educational attainment, increased earnings, better physical health, and reduced involvement in criminal justice systems. Programs like the Perry Preschool Project and Chicago Child-Parent Centers showed returns of $4-$16 for every dollar spent.
Closing Achievement Gaps: High-quality early childhood education proves especially beneficial for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, narrowing achievement gaps and providing more equitable opportunities for success.
Special Programs and Opportunities
VPK Program Integration
Pacesetter Academy proudly offers Florida's Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program. This state-funded initiative provides free prekindergarten to all 4-year-olds, regardless of family income. Children who complete VPK demonstrate significantly greater kindergarten readiness than those who don't participate.
Our VPK program emphasizes:
• Early literacy and phonological awareness
• Pre-math concepts and problem-solving
• Social skills and classroom behaviors
• Fine motor development for writing
• Communication and language expression
H3: Smooth Transitions at Every Stage
From our infant program through pre-K, Pacesetter Academy provides continuity in educational philosophy and approach. Children benefit from consistent implementation of the HighScope Curriculum, familiar routines, and ongoing relationships with teachers who know them well. This continuity supports optimal development and makes transitions between age groups smooth and stress-free.
Why Miramar Families Choose Pacesetter Academy
Parents throughout Miramar, Pembroke Pines, and surrounding communities select Pacesetter Academy for early childhood education because we offer:
Award-Winning Quality: Our recognition as an award-winning preschool reflects our commitment to excellence in every aspect of early education.
Research-Based Curriculum: The HighScope approach is validated by decades of research and proven effective across diverse populations.
Experienced, Caring Educators: Our teachers specialize in early childhood development and maintain ongoing professional development to ensure they're implementing best practices.
Comprehensive Development: We address all areas of growth—cognitive, social-emotional, physical, and creative—preparing children for school and life success.
Safe, Nurturing Environment: Our facility provides the security parents need with the engaging, stimulating atmosphere children love.
Family Partnership: We view families as essential partners in children's education and maintain open, ongoing communication.
Begin Your Child's Learning Journey Today
The early years pass quickly, but their impact lasts a lifetime. Every day your child spends in a quality early childhood education program builds neural connections, develops essential skills, and creates foundations for future success. At Pacesetter Academy in Miramar, Florida, we're passionate about making these critical years count.
Whether you're seeking infant care, toddler programs, preschool education, or VPK services, our comprehensive approach ensures your child receives the developmentally appropriate experiences they need at every stage. The HighScope Curriculum guides our teaching, experienced educators nurture your child's growth, and our commitment to excellence ensures quality in everything we do.
Don't wait to give your child the advantage of outstanding early childhood education. Contact Pacesetter Academy today to schedule a tour of our Miramar campus. See our classrooms in action, meet our dedicated teachers, and discover how we're transforming young minds and building tomorrow's leaders. Your child's bright future begins with the strong foundation we build together—starting todaytogether—starting today.
