First Presbyterian Church Preschool

We provide children with an opportunity to develop socially, physically, intellectually, creatively, and spiritually. We allow children to develop at their own pace; learning through play and through the process of discovery. Our 6:1 ratio of children to teachers provides many open-ended and intentional learning opportunities.

Young children need confidence in their environment and security in their relationships in order to grow and learn well. Confidence and security come from living in a world with some degree of order and predictability as well as with flexibility and freedom to experiment, explore, and cope with new and unfamiliar situations.

The experiences that a child has in their earliest years shape their development and teachers play an important role in creating those experiences. Our well-trained and highly skilled teachers interact with children using responsive language, engaging all children in classroom activities, fostering independence, and creating a language-rich environment.

Children are required to be potty trained to attend preschool for a variety of reasons. Our facility is not equipped to change diapers or pull-ups, nor are we licensed as such a facility. Changing diapers takes a teacher out of the classroom, which is unfair to other students. Certainly, accidents do happen and we ask all families to provide a change of clothes for such instances.

On a little chair in the school's hallway, for 25 years I welcomed children and their parents. I greeted the children, listened to whatever they needed to say, hugged them, and if I needed, held them on my lap to ease their anxiety as they said goodbye. Experience tells me that it is this type of simple daily ritual in combination with others that creates the type of atmosphere that is inviting and necessary for children to learn and grow.