Preschool Program Frequently Asked Questions

What is the focus of the 2-year-old preschool program?

The 2-year-old program addresses the social developmental needs of children through creative play within a planned and structured classroom. The curriculum is planned around monthly themes that develop readiness skills through classroom activities and materials such as books, puzzles, puppets, songs and games. The children are introduced to the Catholic teachings and faith through daily prayer, saying grace before snack, the classroom prayer table, and interactions with others.

What is the focus of the 3 - 5 year old preschool program?

Our Montessori preschool program for 3 - 5 year-old children creates a highly individualized learning environment that teaches skill mastery and develops creative thinking and self-confidence. Through the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, preschoolers engage in liturgical teachings and prayer for a unique, faith-filled experience. We believe the combination of the Montessori method and the Catechesis of the Good Shepard is a key strength of our preschool program.

What is the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd?

A complement to the Montessori method, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is the religious teaching incorporated into the 3 – 5 year-old program to allow the children to develop their own interpersonal relationship with God. This teaching incorporates a prayer environment, the atrium, as a learning area in the classroom. Children may freely explore articles from their faith in this atrium (statues, tabernacle, altar, cross, rosary, etc.) and become comfortable with all the things they would typically see at church (priests vestments, prayer cards, Jesus as the light from a candle, holy water, sign of the cross, etc.). Children examine various aspects at their own pace and level.

What is involved in a Montessori education?

Based on the findings of Dr. Maria Montessori, a Montessori program builds on the natural human tendencies toward exploration, hard work, creativity and communication, to create a learning environment that feeds the evolving passions of children. Children are grouped in mixed ages from three to five years of age. There is constant interaction, problem solving, child-to-child teaching, and socialization.

In the Montessori preschool, five distinct areas constitute the learning environment:
- Practical life enhances the development of task organization and cognitive order through care of self and care of the environment.
- The Sensorial area enables the child to order, classify, and describe sensory impressions in relation to length, width, temperature, mass, color, etc.
- Mathematics makes use of manipulative materials to enable the child to internalize concepts of number, symbol, sequence, operations, and memorization of basic facts.
- Language Arts includes oral language development, written expression, reading, and the study of grammar, creative dramatics and children’s literature.
- Cultural activities expose the child to basics in geography, history and life sciences. Music, art, and movement education are also part of the integrated cultural curriculum.

Additional information on the Montessori teaching philosophy and Catechesis of the Good Shepard are available.

What is the diaper changing policy?
Children must be potty trained upon entering the 3 - 5 year-old preschool program. The 2-year-old program does not require potty training, however the school cannot change diapers. In serious cases where a change is necessary, the parent is called to come to the school.

What is ratio of boys to girls in each class?
Every attempt is made to balance gender in classrooms.

What is the routine of the day?
The teachers have published schedules for daily work. In general, children will have time to work individually or in small groups with the classroom materials, exercise on large motor equipment outside (weather permitting), snack time (either as a group or self-initiated during the session) and group time (story, show and tell).

How is snack handled?
The 2-year-olds have a group snack after outdoor play. The teacher will generally read a story at that time. Parents are assigned one day each month to bring snack (from a recommended list) and juice boxes for the whole class.
The 3 - 5 year-old preschoolers will have staggered snack times; children invite one or two classmates to enjoy a snack with them at a snack table. Usually, children have one day a month that they bring a snack for the whole class and bring show and tell.

How do children transition into the program at the beginning of the school year?
The school will offer children a chance to “Meet the Teacher” prior to the first day of school. In addition, each teacher will schedule a transition week at the beginning of the preschool year. This is usually a week of shortened days, which allows children to separate from their parents comfortably. Teacher discretion, in collaboration with the child’s parents, determines when it is best to begin dropping a child off at the door.

How does pick-up work at the end of the day?
In the 2-year-old room, parent/guardian signatures are always required upon dismissal. In the 3 – 5 year-old program, teachers visually verify the caretaker picking up any child.

Are "lunch bunch" or extended day programs offered?
Lunch bunch and extended day programs are not part of the preschool program.

How is classroom placement of a child determined?
Placement of a child depends on many factors, including age, gender balance of a class, and sibling/twin placement for example. Please direct placement questions to the school Principal.

How are twins or siblings placed in the program?
Each situation will be handled individually. Parents should consult with the school Principal and preschool teachers when determining the best solution for their children.