Preschool and Kindergarten

"Let The Little Children Come To Me," is what JESUS says to all His children.

Our purpose for establishing this preschool and kindergarten at St. Maria's is to allow each child to discover their own unique God-given talents and abilities. It is a time for individual encouragement and to establish a wholeness through spiritual, emotional, physical, social and cognitive development.

Our preschool/kindergarten curriculum utilizes "hands-on" materials to present language, math, science, art and religion. This curriculum will aid the child's ability to observe, to discover, to concentrate and to make individual choices with his/her own thought process. Research clearly indicates that play can facilitate healthy development and is essential for children to develop various cognitive, social and emotional skills and abilities. Play may even provide the best context in which children grow and learn. These activities will serve to enrich and challenge in an environment where each child is respected and loved as an individual.

Montessori-based Religious Education

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd will be used for the child's religious formation. Each day begins with prayer and ends with prayer.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a simple and effective Christian message presented to children after they reach the age of three. Great truths are placed before children in ways they can touch and feel, absorb and understand. As in the parable of the mustard seed, the Catechesis is rooted in the ideas of Maria Montessori, the renowned educator. She envisioned that her pioneering approach to education would naturally adapt to religious education. Her technique uses child-sized materials, allows freedom within structure and creates an environment of care and beauty. Maria Montessori named this place where children learn of God as an ATRIUM.

Another Italian Scholar, Dr. Sophia Cavalletti, became intrigued with Maria Montessori's concept. She developed a Catechesis for children from ages three to twelve. Cavalletti has found that even very young children have an instinctive hunger for God. When children are offered those aspects of an infinite God that meet this need and mesh with their development stage, they respond with delight and peaceful concentration. They open to God as spontaneously and wholly as flowers turn to the sun.

Download the Preschool and Kindergarten Policy document.

Staff

We realize the most important ingredient is the teacher who teaches your child. They are responsible for nurturing your children at school and are very aware of how important a Christian loving atmosphere is to you as parents. Our teachers are selected with an emphasis on experience, certification, education, but most of all, LOVE for the children.

St. Maria Goretti Preschool / Kindergarten Goals

• To create an atmosphere of social justice, of respect for the dignity of every being, and reverence to God;
• To promote a positive attitude toward learning;
• To nurture creativity and appreciation of the arts;
• To foster both independent and collaborative thinking;
• To build strong self-esteem, good citizenship, appreciation of differences, and social harmony.

Age of Child

Your child MUST TURN THE APPROPRIATE GRADE LEVEL AGE BY AUGUST 31st in order to register in the age classroom. THIS RULE IS STRICTLY ENFORCED BY THE DIOCESAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL BOARD.

Toilet Training

Two Year Olds must turn 2 by the last day of February. TWO YEAR OLDS MUST BE TOILET TRAINED. We understand "accidents" happen from time to time; however, in the event of "consistent" accidents, FOR THE BENEFIT OF YOUR CHILD WE WILL ASK YOU TO REMOVE HIM/HER FROM THE PROGRAM.