Early Childhood
Program
St. Matthew’s Early Childhood Division is located in the heart of the campus’ pastoral setting. Four classrooms and three spacious play areas provide an arena where 3-5 year old children are introduced to developmentally appropriate activities and concepts. We believe young children gain a sense of their identity and self-worth when they explore at their own pace and experience success at their developmental level. Learning at this age is through experiential interactions with materials, ideas, and other people.
Play is one of the major ways in which young children learn about the world around them. Through play, children learn about language, develop intellectual concepts, build social relationships and understandings, strengthen physical skills, foster independence, and master concepts through learning experiences that feature:
- Time for children to play, to explore, to test out physical and social skills, to express their own ideas, and listen to others
- Active, hands-on learning
- Teacher-directed and self-directed learning
- Whole group, small group, and individual experiences
- Curriculum that is emergent and integrated around themes meaningful to children
- Learning centers
Our Preschool and Pre-Kindergarten programs nurture growth in all areas of human development: cognitive, physical, personal, social, creative, and spiritual. We respect each child’s pattern of development, recognizing the uniqueness of each young person while creating a supportive and caring peer group and school setting.
Hours and Schedule
Preschool: designed for children turning 3 before August 1
The half-day program for Preschool runs Monday through Friday from 8:20 - 11:45 am. Children arrive between 8:00 - 8:20 am and are picked up at 12:00 pm. Children enrolled in our full-day program will continue to develop their social/emotional, cognitive, and physical skills through large and fine motor sensory activities, music, art, dramatic play, math, and literacy experiences. The full-day program is available two, three, or five days a week and afternoon pick-up is between 2:40 - 3:00 pm.
Pre-Kindergarten: designed for children turning 4 before August 1
The half-day program for Preschool runs Monday through Friday from 8:20 - 11:45 am. Children arrive between 8:00 - 8:20 am and are picked up at 12:00 pm. Children enrolled in our full-day program will continue to develop their social/emotional, cognitive, and physical skills through large and fine motor sensory activities, music, art, dramatic play, math, and literacy experiences. The full-day program is available two, three, or five days a week and afternoon pick-up is between 2:40 - 3:00 pm.
Pre-Kindergarten: designed for children turning 4 before August 1
In order to prepare children for Kindergarten and beyond, our Pre-K program provides hands-on learning experiences that are grounded in our play-based philosophy, which focuses on the development of each child. In addition to more time for play and social interaction, a more extended school day affords additional time for teaching and enrichment opportunities. Children are dropped off between 8:00 - 8:20 am; pick-up is between 2:40-3:00 pm.
Our Afternoons in Early Childhood program allows students to rotate through wonderful offerings such as Mini-Maker Mondays, Tinkering with Technology, Creation Station, and Spanish.
Chapel and Service Learning
Our Early Childhood students attend a special weekly chapel in the St. Matthew’s library facilities and several special chapels in the church. The school minister or a member of the clergy leads the chapel. Stories from the Bible or secular sources are used in the chapel program to reinforce the concept of God’s inclusive love and the uniqueness of each individual as a child of God. Thoughtful and responsible behavior, honesty, kindness, consideration, and empathy for others are important qualities that teachers reinforce daily at every given opportunity throughout the program.
A vital part of each child’s education at St. Matthew’s Parish School is participation in our grade-level and school-wide Service Learning programs. Early Childhood partners with the children of The Early Learning Center of St. Joseph Center - a bilingual, dual-immersion childcare program for toddlers and Pre-K children - with mutual visits between schools to celebrate the seasons.
Parental Involvement
Parent participation is an important part of the program as is the formation of a cohesive parent community. Through periodically scheduled parent events and meetings, parents of our youngest students get the chance to form connections and establish relationships both with the faculty and each other.
Teachers welcome ongoing communication with parents and send home newsletters, summaries of class activities, and current photos of the children engaged in activities. Conferences and classroom visits are regularly scheduled throughout the year. Parents are also encouraged to become active in the many volunteer opportunities.
