Our Saviour's Lutheran Church of Stanwood, WA

• At what age can my child begin Preschool?

They must turn 3 or 4 years old by August 31^st of the coming school year to enroll in these classes.

They must be 5 years old by February 28th of the coming year to qualify for the 4/5’s class.

• Does my child need to be toilet-trained to attend?

Yes. All Preschoolers must be toilet-trained and self-sufficient.

• How do I know if you have an opening?

We keep our Website updated with the status of our classes.

• Are children required to be immunized?

We require an up-to-date record of immunization so that if an outbreak were to occur, we could notify the children that were at risk, but no they are not required.

• What happens if my child is on the waiting list?

We will contact you when a spot becomes available. Honestly, every year is different, some years we have no movement and others we may have a few.

• Are we able to get a tour of the Preschool?

We provide a Virtual Tour on our website to check out. In the fall we will provide an in person Open House for you and your child to meet the teacher and see their classroom.

• How safe is my child?

 

• How much is tuition?

3 year old class $130/month

4 year old class $200/month

4/5 year old class $200/month

• How often is it due?

Tuition is paid monthly, due on the 1^st and late after the 10^th.

• Is there a late fee?

Yes. Tuition is past due after 10 days and is therefore subject to a $20 late fee.

• Do you offer scholarships or discounts?

 

• Will we be responsible for buying school supplies?

No. The Preschool will purchase all needed supplies.

• Do you require parents to participate in fundraising efforts?

We do one fundraiser a year, but it is optional for parents to participate.

 

Parental Involvement-

• Is parental participation required? Will there be opportunities for parents to volunteer in the classroom?

• How do you communicate with parents on a regular basis?

Paper communication, email, class Facebook page, texts, at drop off and pick-up

• Are there parent/teacher conferences?

Classroom Management

• How does Drop off and Pickup work?

We have a driveway located behind the church that parents use to drop off and pickup their child at their classroom door each time. Teachers will greet each student as they arrive and dismiss students 1-2 at pick up time. We are very fortunate to have this option. Our new 4/5 year old classroom is located upstairs, so parents will need to park in front and walk child in.

• What curriculum do you use?

-develop your child’s faith in God

The Preschool curriculum is also based around monthly themes and the Letter of the week. Lessons are planned to provide academic progress in preparation for Kindergarten readiness.

• How many students are in each class?

Our max number in the 3 year old classes are 8 students per one teacher.

Our max number in the 4 & 5 year old classes are 12 students per one teacher.

• What is a typical day look like?

Our days consist of Free Playtime/Centers, Circle Time, Clean up time, Learning Time, Bathroom, Snack/Lunch, Recess, Journals and Story Time. Each day is filled with activities and lessons to keep the kids busy and engaged while they are there, making the most of our time.

More info is listed on the Registration info page, you will need to click the link.

• Do you focus more on academics or social growth?

Both. These are fundamental for Preschool age kids. We make it a priority to be intentional, incorporating them into every part of our day.

• Will my child learn basic skills like letters and numbers? Colors and shapes?

Of course. Each child learns at their own pace. These will be introduced throughout the school year. 

• Do the children go outside? Weather permitting, how often and for how long?

Yes! We have a beautiful playground, pictured on our front page of our website, that we use every day for 15-20 mins. If it is pouring down rain or icy we will use the “gym” located down the hall in the church.

• How do snacks work?

-For the 4/5 year old class, students will bring in their own lunch. We welcome small treats for the class on their birthday!

• How do you handle food allergies?

Children with allergies generally keep their own food in the classroom in case they are allergic to snack of the day. Families are notified of allergies in the classroom. Teachers keep a record visible in classroom.

• How does bathroom time work?

Our Preschool bathrooms are located down the hallway, on the landing of the stairway. Each class has a designated time for children to use the restroom. While children take turns using the bathroom, the other children will sit on steps and teachers will use this time to sing or reiterate lessons. If needed, classes may do this 1-2 times a class period.

• How are children disciplined?

Preschoolers are just beginning to learn to express their emotions and acquire the complex skills required in our society. Understandably, they will try a variety of behaviors as they approach this difficult task in their struggle to achieve a balance between their personal needs and the rights and safety of others.

We have instituted a Green and Red choice behavior management system. Green choices are good behaviors, worded in a positive way. They are the choices we want students to make such as listen, use kind words, and have a calm body.  Green is a symbol for go, keep going and red is a symbol for stop.

We see discipline as an educational process that encourages children to recognize the choices available in order to select behaviors that are effective, appropriate, and acceptable. This process should not humiliate a child or in any way damage his or her self-esteem. We believe the unacceptable behavior should be stopped because an inappropriate choice has been made. In order to accomplish this, we use the following 3-step process:

1. Within reasonable and consistent limits which are clearly defined in words children can understand, we will encourage students to solve their own problems by helping them verbalize their needs and find a suitable solution.

2. Teachers’ directions will be stated positively rather than in a negative form. (“Please use a quieter voice” versus “Don’t yell!”). The children’s right to negative emotions such as anger or fear will be respected. Teachers will endeavor to understand the student’s feelings.
3. Consequences for misbehavior will be of short duration and immediately following the correction. Whenever possible, the consequence will bear relation to the act. Time-outs are frequently used as a short “break” from a tense situation.

 

If a student consistently does not show positive strides toward behavior that is acceptable for the classroom, our preschool teachers, along with the Preschool Board members reserve the right to dismiss such a student from the program.

• At what point do you notify the parents if there is a discipline or other type of issue?

We give parents a heads up at pick up time if there was an issue that day or continuing. We talk about what strategies work at home or ways we can support you at home.

• Do you go on field trips?