EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER (Preschool 3 and PreK 4)
Why choose St. Francis Xavier for your 3 or 4 year old?
- Affordable: Unbeatable value for quality instruction from professional and dedicated educators (no financial aid available or preschool, but it can be a tax deductible expense.) Most area day cares are $50-$55/day. We are $33/day.
- Flexible schedule for working parents offering FULL DAY for 3 and 4 year olds (8:00-2:20pm) HALF-DAY options as well (8:00-11:20am)
- Extended Care before and after school hours
- Faith formation and character development are a part of daily learning.
- Older student mentors to encourage and model positive behavior
- Great rural environment for outdoor play and exploration space!
- Academically focused and developmentally appropriate, our curriculum produces little learners with a strong foundation for Kindergarten! A place for children to explore God’s world, use their God-given talents, and celebrate friendships in joy!
PRESCHOOL 3
- Start age 2.9 by Aug 31st
- Must be toilet independent
- Uniform required for PS3
- 5 day full-day or half-day slots
- Play based academics
- Students participate in PE, art, and music
- First opportunity in applying for PreK 4
PREKINDERGARTEN 4
- Start age 4 years old by Aug 31st
- 2 classrooms with Kindergarten preparation curriculum offered
- Uniform required for PreK 4
- 5 day full-day or 5 day half-day
- Students participate in PE, art, and music
- First opportunity in applying for Kindergarten
Some FAQ’s
What is your preschool curriculum?
Our days consist of a mix of teacher-guided learning activities and self-directed learning. Self-help skills, social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual development are all addressed within our curriculum. Our weekly plans contain activities that support early literacy, early numeracy, handwriting and science skills and children are able to learn at their own individual pace.
How do you incorporate preschool outdoor play?
In all but the most inclement weather, outdoor play is an important part of our daily routine. Children should be dressed accordingly to participate.
What preschool specials are offered?
Preschool students are offered PE, Art, Music, and Library/read-aloud each once per week.
Do I need to provide school supplies?
Yes. A basic supply list will be posted at the startof the summer for families to purchase prior to the first day of school, which for preschool students is typically the Tuesday after Labor Day.
Is there a nap/rest time?
Each day we have rest time for about 45 min in the afternoon. This is an important time for the children to unwind and rejuvenate after a busy morning. We create a peaceful environment with music and low lighting. Some students sleep, others put their heads down to rest and engage in quiet activities in their designated rest time space until afternoon wrap-up begins.
Does my child participate in school Mass?
Preschool students are paired with our middle school students to attend Mass weekly. “Church Buddies” walk together to the church down the street (or the gym if weather does not allow) and sit together so as to learn prayerful and reverent behavior and fully participate in the ceremony.
What is your preschool discipline approach?
Discipline consists of redirecting the child to another activity or behavior that’s more appropriate, or briefly removing the child to another activity or situation to recompose him/herself before rejoining the activity. We emphasize choices and natural consequences, and model positive social behaviors for the children to use to avoid and resolve conflicts. For any on-going issues, teachers will communicate with parents so that school and home are working together with the child’s best interests in mind.
Will my child eat at school?
All preschool students will need a snack and drink for the day. Currently, full day preschool student seat lunch as a group in their classrooms. Students may bring their own lunch to school or parents will sign their child up via the teacher’s class system to receive a free hot lunch through our hot lunch program. St. Francis Xavier School is a peanut/tree-nut free school.
How will I be informed of my child’s progress?
At the end of the summer, we have an orientation day as a part of the transition into preschool. Families will receive a progress report for each Trimester outlining their child’s areas of strength and weakness for preschool skills. During the school year we will have preschool parent/teacher conferences to provide a formal time for parents and teachers to connect on student progress across all areas. Teachers are always available to meet with families on an as-needed basis.