It is most important to provide a classroom where children are free to express curiosity and try new experiences.

Program Description

Children attending First Presbyterian Preschool spend their mornings in a child-centered environment allowing for many choices and encouraging independence.  Throughout the morning, teachers respond to and expand upon the cues given by the children in order to foster creativity and self-esteem.  When reacting to rather than directing a child’s curiosity, we find a more attentive audience.  By allowing the child to determine the direction of a learning experience, the curriculum becomes more exciting for everyone.  Providing an enriched, child-oriented learning environment in a relaxed setting is the cornerstone of our philosophy.

Researchers tell us that by the age of five, a child’s attitude towards learning is set for life.  With that knowledge in mind, it is most important to provide a classroom where children are free to express curiosity and try new experiences.  Inherent in young children is a naturally strong desire to learn and our program attempts to ignite and sustain that desire.  It is through a wide variety of methods and materials that we allow for the different learning styles found in groups of young children.

Flexibility is a key ingredient in our program.  By listening to children and being sensitive to their ideas, we find that the curriculum is constantly changing.  Play is fundamental to learning in the preschool classroom.  It is though all kinds of play that children can move from concrete manipulation of objects to abstract, representational thought needed for later school success.

Finally, we are most concerned that children moving on to kindergarten from First Presbyterian Preschool have spent their preschool years growing in confidence and security in their attempts to learn and meet new challenges.

Facilities
Our program consists of ten large, self-contained classrooms where children are grouped according to age.  Each room is furnished with developmentally appropriate materials.  As the children move through the program on a yearly basis, they find comfort in a daily routine and form lasting relationships with teachers and peers.  Additional personnel visit the classrooms in the areas of music and movement.  We are fortunate to have a spacious playground for the children.  In addition, we have an enclosed courtyard for the toddlers with equipment designed specifically for them.