Today marks a landmark change in preschool programming at Disney Channel. Playhouse Disney, which was rolled out in 1997, is no more. In its place is a newly-formatted block of programming called Disney Junior.

What's the difference? In addition to some new programming, which we'll detail after the jump, Disney Junior will be shifting their focus from just the preschooler audience to a group of children ranging in ages from 2 to 7.

Or in simpler terms, getting into direct competition with the highly successful Nick Jr. programming schedule on Nickelodeon, which features such stalwarts as 'Dora the Explorer,' 'The Backyardigans' and 'The Fresh Beat Band.'

There is also a change of focus. Where many of the Playhouse Disney programs were directed towards teamwork and problem-solving, the Disney Junior programs will emphasize more social and emotional development, including components on healthy eating and lifestyles.

But its not only a certain block of programming Disney Junior is going against. By this time next year, Disney Junior will be replacing SoapNet as a full-time young children's network to directly complete with Nick Jr. as well as PBS Kids Sprout. Throw into the mix a multi-platform attack that features new material on the Internet, Radio Disney and several Disney Junior and Disney Channel outlets across the world, it looks like the corporate giant is looking to corner the 2- to 7-year-old market as quickly as possible.

To get you acquainted with the shows that will be featured on Disney Junior, which will normally run weekdays from 4AM to 2PM and weekends from 4AM to 9AM, here's a description of the premiere day lineup.

* = New Long-Form Series
# = New Short-Form Series
** = Returning Series From 'Playhouse Disney'

All Times are Eastern


8:30AM: 'Jake and the Never Land Pirates'* -- The first original program of the Disney Junior lineup will premiere after a running of 'Finding Nemo.' Based on Disney's 'Peter Pan' franchise, 'Jake' is a musical adventure series featuring three young Never Land pirates, Jake, Izzy and Cubby, looking for treasure with the help of the preschool audience -- think 'Dora the Explorer' or 'Blue's Clues.' Along the way they encounter the likes of Captain Hook and his trusty companion Smee.

8:55AM: 'A Poem Is...'# -- This is a short-form animated series that will showcase children's poems set admist the backdrop of scenes from famous Disney movies like 'Dumbo' and 'Bambi.' The series will be narrated by Katie Holmes and Jennifer Garner.

9:00AM: 'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse'** -- Mickey, Donald, Goofy and the rest of the computer-animated gang are back along with the Helping Hands and the Mousekadoer as they try to solve problems with the help of various tools as well as assistance from the viewing audience. The show's goal is to stimulate problem solving skills in young children by introducing simple concepts like finding shapes or counting to 100 by tens.

9:25AM: 'Secret Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps'# -- A spin-off of the 'Special Agent Oso' series, this short-from program is part of Disney's Magic of Healthy Living program. Instead of Having the stuffed secret agent bear helping other kids blow their noses or tie their shoes, the concept of the program is to introduce exercise and better eating habits to viewers in three healthy steps.

9:30AM: 'Handy Manny'** -- Manny and his tools return to help the forlorn residents of Sheetrock Hills repair almost anything. Another program that promotes teamwork and problem solving, this season of 'Handy Manny' will introduce Beamer, the laser/spirit level from 'Handy Manny's School for Tools,' into regular continuity.

9:55AM: 'Mickey's Mousekersize'# -- Another 'Magic of Healthy Living' program, this short-form series will feature Mickey Mouse as he encourages all of the audience members to get up and exercise with him and the gang.

10:00AM: 'Babar and the Adventures of Badou'* -- An updated and CGI-animated version of 'Babar the Elephant' finds the king entertaining his 8-year-old grandson and his pals as they explore the world in and around Celesteville.

10:25AM: 'Never Land Pirate Band'# -- Original pirate-rock music will be performed by The Never Land Pirate Band.

10:30AM: 'Chuggington'** -- Transferring over from Playhouse Disney, this CGI-animated program features three young locomotives-in-training, Wilson, Brewster and Koko, as they go about learning the ropes from the more skilled trains within the sprawling city of Chuggington. The series promotes friendship, listening skills, resolving conflicts and completing tasks.

11:00AM: 'Tinga Tinga Tales'# -- This new series is a Kenya-British import based on African animal folk tales. Like 'Chuggington,' the show promote concepts such as friendship and conflict resolution.

11:15AM: 'Timmy Time'** -- Originally a spin-off of the short-form 'Shaun the Sheep,' this animated program features young sheep Timmy and his friends as they go about their daily preschool routines. Though no English is spoken in the series -- the animals speak in baas, quacks and meows, the program does promote friendship, sharing and conflict resolution among other things.

11:25AM: 'Handy Manny School For Tools'** -- Another semester of Tool School is in session as Manny teaches the audience as well as his own tools what each of them do and what they can accomplish.

11:30 'Mickey Mouse Clubhouse'

11:55AM: 'Mickey's Mousekersize'

12:00PM: 'Jake and the Never Land Pirates'

12:25PM: 'Special Agent Oso: Three Healthy Steps'

12:30PM: 'Jungle Junction'** -- Another CGI-animated program promoting friendship, troubleshooting skills and conflict resolution. All wrapped up around animals that are part jungle creature and part four-wheeled vehicle. Plus, voice acting from Billy West of 'Futurama' fame.

12:55PM: 'Handy Manny School For Tools'

1:00PM: 'Special Agent Oso'** -- Oso is a special agentthat helps kids across the world solve mundane problems, such as making a salad or flying a kite, in three simple steps. In turn, solving the problems allows him to solve some of his own. 'Special Agent Oso' promotes troubleshooting and cognitive thinking as well as healthy living.

1:25PM 'A Poem Is...'

1:30PM: 'Imagination Movers'** -- The only long-form, live-action series on the Disney Junior lineup, this musical comedy finds the Movers, Rich, Dave, Scott and Smitty, solving problems for various folks using their imaginations. Promoting troubleshooting skills and cognitive thinking, 'Imagination Movers' is now in its third season.








Tell us what you think of the Disney Junior schedule. Is it a good change from Playhouse Disney or more of the same?