Cornerstone nurtures its youngest minds by building oral language skills and laying a foundation in early literacy, all while tying the curriculum to biblical principles. Working primarily with the Scholastic Early Childhood Program, which is based on research into educational needs during childhood development, the preschool curriculum aims to deepen children's awareness of themselves and the world around them.

This is accomplished by attending to several areas, one of which is "purposeful play." Students are taught the elements of physical movement through fun, engaging activities that involve music and social interaction with others. Students also begin reading along with teachers in K4 and listen to stories. Developing phonological awareness is crucial at this stage of a child's education, and it is given explicit attention in the curriculum. Basic math concepts are also introduced in preparation for work in kindergarten, as are the essentials of Spanish.

Office of School Readiness

Cornerstone's K4 program is operated in part through funding from the Alabama Office of School Readiness, the mission of which is to provide effective, high-quality early childhood experiences for school success and lifelong learning. The OSR and Cornerstone recognize the need for early childhood education because students who enroll in pre-K programs demonstrate higher academic achievement later in life; are less likely to repeat a grade; and are more likely to graduate from high school and enroll in college.