Our Philosophy and Program
So that the children may… Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 3:18
We Believe
- Early childhood education is a significant avenue for congregational mission outreach in the community.
- Early childhood education is a ministry to the families of young children, by providing a parent program designed for support and encouragement opportunities that enhance the educational and development processes already present in the home.
- The young child is a gift from God (Psalm 127:3) and learns best about God’s world through experimentation and exploration. Therefore, the early childhood program plans developmentally appropriate activities and values play as an avenue of learning.
- Each child is a unique and special child of God, and we promote his/her self-esteem and individuality. We therefore subscribe to sequential learning and while learning is encouraged, it should not be hurried.
- Early childhood education provides a warm and loving Christ-centered environment where children can develop their fullest potential; physically, emotionally, socially, creatively, intellectually and spiritually.
- Early childhood education is a joint ministry that involves the congregation, the community, the staff, the family and the child.
St. Paul’s Early Childhood Development Center has been commissioned by St. Paul’s Lutheran Church to serve the local community by providing a Christian environment where children and their families can come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior and grow in faith and service.
Our goal is to:
- Offer loving, nurturing care by qualified Christian early childhood professionals.
- Provide a Christ-centered environment that fosters a child’s individual growth by meeting his or her needs and by building important foundations for the future spiritual, physical, social and academic pursuits.
- Give children opportunities to know God’s everlasting love, thereby building positive self-concept and self-esteem.
- Promote wholesome social relationships by providing opportunities for children to work and play cooperatively.
- Provide save, age-appropriate indoor and outdoor environments.
- Support and involve families through daily contact, parent education and opportunities for service.
St. Paul's ECDC accepts children six weeks through five years old. Our infant class is for children 0-12 months by September 1. Our toddler classes are for children between the ages of 1 and 2 on September 1. Our beginner classes are for those who are 2 by September 1. Our junior classes are for children who are 3 by September 1. Our PK/EK classes are for children who are 4 by September 1.
Schedules
Full Day - 7 am - 6 pm
Part Day - 8:15 am - 3:15 pm
Morning (preschool only) - 8:30 am - 12 pm
Each day the curriculum is presented so each child can experience a wide variety of age-appropriate activities. These activities include the following:
Hands-on Learning Centers
Students are encouraged to make independent choices and develop their thinking skills, as they learn at various learning centers. These centers provide opportunities for the individual child, as well as the entire group, to develop sensory, listening, writing, and math skills. We use art materials, easels, manipulatives, dramatic play, and much more, to engage the students with hands-on experiences in an age-appropriate setting, stimulating their curiosity and intellectual growth.
Toys are chosen with safety in mind. A choke test tube is used to check the size of toys in our infant and toddler classrooms, to prevent having choking hazards in the classroom.
Creative Development
Each classroom introduces new songs and creative movement, as well as activities with instruments. A variety of art media promotes opportunities to develop self-expression and confidence.
Motor Development
Gross motor skills are developed with ample play and activities are set-up on our private fenced-in playground, and in the classrooms, to stimulate large muscle development.
Outdoor Classroom
The outdoor classroom is an extension of the activities and learning that is present in all classrooms. Our outdoor space in the preschool has many different areas for exploration. In addition to the equipment, interest centers are set up to encourage and focus the learning of curriculum concepts. Our Bungalow also has large outdoor areas and decks for outdoor learning.
Bible
Children learn Bible verses and are read Bible stories in Large and Small Group settings. We use One In Christ curriculum for all students, including in the Bungalow. Prayer is incorporated throughout the day – Group times, before eating, and for the occasional ouchie.