“All right, let’s do some counting, you guys. OK? But now I need a helper,” says Angelica Jimenez. The 27-year-old woman is sitting on a stool on the edge of a bright blue-and-red rug decorated with circles of numbers, letters and words. Sitting or squatting around the educational carpet is a tight group of little kids. A boy with curly auburn hair is the first to raise his hand.

“Oh, I think maybe Bobby can come and help me,” she says, motioning for the boy to stand next to a board with colors and a large green circle that serves as a two-dimensional jelly bean jar. After he sticks nine smaller circles to the jar, proudly counting them off as he goes, she praises, “Good job, Bobby!”

Then she has a girl named Chloe count the number of girls on the mat and another named Olivia counts the number of boys.

“Yes, we have five girls and three boys here today,” the teacher confirms. “OK, show me you’re ready to go outside and ride the tricycles. Sit down on your bottoms. Good, remember we have to share the four tricycles. Remember we have to take turns. We’re not going to be crying, we’re going to be sharing.”

So goes the first morning of the first day at Blessed Sacrament School’s new preschool on Feb. 1. For the convenience of parents, kids three to five can be dropped off at 7:30 a.m., with a nutritious breakfast served at eight o’clock and lunch at noon plus two snacks. The academic day runs to 3 p.m. and activities are designed to foster both social skills and emotional growth. Tuition is on a monthly basis, with financial assistance available for low-income families who qualify.

The remodeled room juts out from the older two-story parochial school off Sunset Boulevard. Its irregular shape and high ceiling make it seem larger, large enough, in fact, for three rectangular and one round wood table and chairs. There’s also mobile work stations for art – loaded with crayons, markers, brushes, tubs of Playdough and molds – blocks of various shapes and play action figures. In addition, there’s a cozy area with a mini-couch and bookrack with curious titles like “The Valentine Cat” and “The Worst Kids Who Ever Lived on 8th Ave.”

But one of the most intriguing sights is the “sensory table” with two connected plastic tubs – one with sand, the other water. In days to come, objects will be buried in the sand and students will be able to fish for metal fish with magnetic poles.

Outside the stucco room is a fenced-in little playground with a curvy trail for the yellow metal-frame tricycles. Plans call for a state-of-the-art jungle gym along with a real sandbox.

“The first day has been very exciting introducing students into a school setting,” says Jimenez, watching girls and boys peddle around the marked trail. “They’re still having attachment issues with their parents, but we’re trying to comfort them and we’ve only had two who’ve cried this morning. But they’re definitely warming up to each other.

“Going around the curves on the bike trail is for the large motor skills that children need to learn, making left and right turns. Also it’s for them to understand their own motion. They’re usually starting to explore bilateral peddling. And the tricycle is good for balancing, too.

“Preschool is also an introduction to learning fine motor skills,” she notes. “How to grasp a pencil or scissors, which continues in kindergarten. But some kids really catch on fast.”

Principal Ava Haylock reports that there has been a “great buzz” around the school about the pre-kindergarten’s opening. “Parents were excited, kids were excited because it’s very promising,” says the veteran elementary educator. “We have a good start with 10 students enrolling. And we’re hoping the pre-K will become a feeder for the rest of the school and that parents will help us spread the word about the quality education we offer at Blessed Sacrament School. Because we’re really a jewel here in Hollywood.”

Jesuit Father Michael Mandala, Blessed Sacrament’s pastor, believes the preschool will add another service to the Hollywood community by educating the very young.

“The early start provided by a high quality preschool like ours helps youngsters prepare for success in school and in life,” he observes. “So much research has been done showing how preschool children really fair better when they get to school that we’re pleased to offer this new service for the little ones.”

But perhaps it’s best to let one of the new preschoolers have the last word.

Bobby with the curly auburn hair has given up his tricycle to a girl in a royal blue sweater, plaid skirt, knee-high white socks and shinny black slippers. Wearing a Blessed Sacrament blue sweatshirt and pants himself, a thoughtful expression crosses the five-year-old’s face when asked about his first morning at the new preschool.

“The bikes,” he says, nodding. “I have a two-wheel scooter at home, but these have three wheels.” After a moment, he adds, “It’s a nice classroom, and the teacher is nice. So I like it here.”