Park Street Christian Preschool

1200 Park Street
Charlottesville, Virginia
(434) 296-8922

PRESCHOOL INFORMATION

Park Street Christian Preschool is a non-profit community outreach ministry of Park Street Christian Church. Park Street Christian Church is blessed with a thirty-seven year history at the corner of Cutler Lane in Charlottesville. Our doors opened August 1999 when the church recognized a community need for an all day Christian preschool.We are open Monday–Friday, 7:30 AM–6:00 PM. Our capacity is 30 children. Our child to teach ratio is 10:1 in each class. We care for toilet trained children between the ages 2 ½–6 years old.

Staff

Our staff is professionally trained and experienced in Early Childhood Education. All teachers are CPR and First Aid Certified and are members of the Virginia Association of Early Childhood Education (VAECE). We participate regularly in conferences and workshops to enrich our skills.

• Angela Taylor, Director, 13 years of experience in Early Childhood also assists with the curriculum since 1999.
• Carolyn Walker, Assistant Director, teaches in the 2 ½–3 ½ since 1999.
• Peggy Turner leads the children in the 3 ½–4 ½ classroom since 2003.
• Cheryl Strother (since 2005) works with the Pre-K children with a Pre-kindergarten curriculum.
• Amy Hastings is the afternoon assistant.

Mission statement and philosophy

We strive to work as partners with families to provide a safe, healthy, fun-loving Christian environment that is intellectually, socially, emotionally, and physically stimulating for each individual child. We believe this goal is accomplished by using developmentally appropriate practices through child centered and teacher guided play and exploration. For children to grow and learn they must first be surrounded by love and respect. Playing is learning! Allowing freedom within clear limits, each child is given the opportunity to grow and develop to his or her individual full potential that strongly supports a strong sense of self. We believe that children are a gift from God. Helping them to learn is a divine privilege. We give our best effort to be a positive role model that instills Christian values that will help your child through the journey of life. We use hands-on stories and activities that teach your child the fundamental concepts of the beautiful diverse world God created! There is so much for children to learn, yet so much for them to offer!Come play with us… learn with us… grow with us!

Curriculum

Through a structured unit-based and “story stretchers” approach, we encourage children’s natural curiosity to explore the world around them. Our lesson plans and learning centers are age-appropriate and include the areas of science, math, arts, crafts, language, literacy, writing, large and small muscle development, music, cooking, simple computer technology, self-help, and worship. Our goal is for them to play as they master the skills they will need for Kindergarten. We integrate guidelines from the Kindergarten-SOLs and Pre-K PALS (Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening) in our Pre-K program curriculum. Our day consists of a balance of teacher-guided and child initiated indoors and outdoors (we enjoy outdoors three times a day!) hands-on activities. Your child will have the opportunity to build relationships, develop appropriate problem solving skills, and learn to appreciate likes and differences among us that is experienced in our school family and communities. We use a positive discipline approach that fosters self-control. Children will learn to make choices and begin to understand the natural or logical consequence of choices. There are many positive discipline strategies that we use based on the age and personality of each individual child.

Our facility

• Three classrooms that are clean, bright, and full of child friendly learning materials.
• Rainy Day Room: this room is used for planned large motor activities—with parachute play, tunnels, balls, etc., games, music, creative movement/dancing, and educational movies.
• One big play room (The Ark Room) for greeting, departing, and free choice play. This play area is set-up with free choice activities that include: dramatic play, discovery table, library with listening center, blocks, easel, and writing tools.
• Beautiful picnic area for mealtime on a warm day! This area is also used for school events such as Mother’s Day breakfast, Father’s Day lunch, and many other school festivities.
• A large fenced in equipped playground that is safe and shaded with surrounding woods.
• A welcoming church that we use for chapel time and rest time.

Tuition

Families choose from full time five days a week or part-time less than five days a week.  There is a 10% sibling discount based on availability within the budget.

• Full-time: $160 a week
• Four days: $140
• Three Days: $110
• Two Days: $80
• One Day: $50
• Non-Refundable Registration fee: $50
• United Way and Social Service Scholarships accepted.

Meals

We provide nutritious morning and afternoon snacks. Children bring a lunch each day. The school provides lunch on special occasions.  We do not provide a microwave or refrigerator for food. You will need to provide a thermos or cooler for food.

Ways families can participate

• Attend Open House and Parent/Teacher conferences
• Join monthly field trips
• Share special talents and services: cooking, crafts, music, book buddies, etc.
• Volunteer and attend special school funtions: graduation, Christmas program, fundraisers, parent workdays, and many other seasonal events.

What you need to provide when your child enrolls

• Copy of birth certificate
• Copy of updatedimmunization records
• Signed contract
• Registration form with registration fee
• Box of markers
• Box of crayons
• Box of tissues
• Box of baby wipes
• Family photo
• Standard size toothbrush and cap (no battery operated or large handled toothbrushes)
• Complete change of clothing including socks and underwear
• Nap mat, pillow, and blanket, all labeled with child's name (folding napping mat or sleeping bag only — no blow up mats. (available at Walmart)
• Three child size large T-shirts for crafts
• Refillable plastic water bottle for outside time
• Teachers may have additional requests for items

Contact

Please contact the Director, Angela Taylor at 434-296-8922 and/or e-mail EMAIL for a more detailed information packet or for a scheduled tour of the preschool.

This document was last modified:Wednesday, 07-Oct-2009 12:18:11 EDT
(434)977-4243, with comments or request.
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