Good Shepherd Pre-school operates from 8:00 - noon daily and offers a 7:45 drop-off time as well as extended care until
2:30 pm. Programs are available for children
2 years 6 months to 5 years of age. At the time of application, parents are required to observe the program and meet the staff. Preschool attendees are given preference points towards admission to the
Kindergarten program.
Philosophy
Good Shepherd Preschool is dedicated to the care of children regardless of race, color, or creed. A Christian environment is fostered in the preschool program which respects the individuality of the child. One of the main goals of the staff is to promote a bridge between the home and the Preschool environments. Children at Good Shepherd preschool grow, learn, and play in a caring and nurturing setting. The program provides for the social, emotional, physical, psychological and cognitive growth of the child. Independence, a sense of responsibility and respect for themselves, others and their environment is fostered. Through planned curriculum activities, children are encouraged to develop a strong sense of self.
Departure time for children is
noon. Please phone the Preschool if you find you are running late so that we may reassure your child.
Starting the day
The beginning of the day in the Preschool is an important time for both children and parents. Each child does this in his/her own special way. A teacher will greet you and your child and be available to help you with this transition. Please let the teacher know if there are any specific or special things we can do so assist your good-byes.
Feel free to stay with your child until you feel comfortable leaving. When you decide you are ready to leave, always let your children know even if they seem absorbed. This is reassuring to the child who then learns to trust that their parent won't just "disappear." Be assured that if your child cries or is unhappy, your child's primary caregiver will stay in touch with your child until he/she is finished with their good-bye. We will also let you know how (and when) your child settled in.
It is essential that you accompany your child (or carpool children) into the classroom and sign him/her in. Your child has a cubbie in with to keep his/her things (extra clothes, art work, snugglers, etc.). A bulletin board offers postings of school community events and resources. Please check these boxes daily.
If you have special requests for the care of your child, (i.e., special diet, medicine) please tell us and provide any written forms as required.
Preschool schedule
Preschool activities and their value
Playdough: When you child plays with pliable, squishy material like playdough, clay and cornstarch goo, they are strengthening the small muscles in their hands and fingers. This type of play give children the strength and control that they need to write with pens, pencils, markers and to use tools like scissors, etc.
Block Area: Children learn how to sort and classify, important pre-math skills, by playing with blocks of various shapes, sizes and colors. Pre-math skills are also gained by making patterns with blocks, estimating about size as well as counting and measuring.
Craft Activities: Organized craft activities help preschoolers to learn to follow directions, develop the fine motor skills needed to write and yet still give them the creative freedom to develop their own sense of individualism.
Drawing: It is important for preschoolers to be given the opportunity to scribble, make circles, swirls, etc. and eventually draw a symbolic object. The theory is that there exists a correct sequence to literacy for children; beginning with scribbling, drawing, writing, reading and then spelling. A child s drawing level tells us so much about their readiness for name writing, etc.
Dramatic Play: When children use their imaginations in pretending and making up situations, they are creating symbols in their own minds to represent things. This is known as symbolic play. The ability to understand and create symbols in a child's mind is essential to the foundation of reading and math skills.
GATHERING
TIME:
Circle time at preschool helps your child to build listening skills, to learn to sit quietly for an appropriate amount of time, and to develop self-control. "Storytime" gives your child the opportunity to learn about the printed word and the use of our language to tell a story. "Singing" helps to develop a child's language skills. Singing and dancing gives children just another opportunity to express their own uniqueness, spend energy in a positive way and most of all it is fun. "Sharing" time helps children learn to be polite to one another, respect each others individualism and again, it is an opportunity to develop those self-control skills. When a child "shares" in front of their peers, they are building confidence skill, language skills as well as showing the group something unique about themselves.
Discipline
Respecting oneself, others, and the pre-school environment are important lessons for young children. Staff members put much effort into maintaining a consistent approach to discipline by redirecting children to a new activity.
ALL NEW STUDENTS WILL UNDERGO A 30-DAY PROBATIONARY PERIOD. If the school cannot meet a particular child's needs, we will withdraw the child from our program.
Clothing
*uniforms
are available
Children should be dressed for school in a comfortable manner so they may fully and safely experience the environment and activities available. Clothing should be appropriate for our changeable climate. Always have a jacket, sweater, or sweatshirt available for your child, as you can never predict the weather! Clothing should be easy to manage for toilet purposes.
Please do not send your child in camouflage, military style clothes, super hero T-shirts or any clothing that conveys abusive, violent, or inappropriate sayings or pictures.
Shoes need to be safe for running,
sand-play, and climbing. We suggest sturdy tennis shoes, or shoes with either Velcro straps or slip-ons. Please NO dress shoes, sandals, boots or high tops -- this is for the safety of your child and others at play.
An extra change of clothing is required; always keep one in your child's cubbie in a Ziploc bag.
Preschool fee information
Mrs.
Matteucci