Preschool
Jesus loves the little ones, and we demonstrate His love as we care for the little ones here at VCS. Our joy is to see each child learn, play, develop, and discover new skills.
Our Programs
Our ratios are state regulated in each program. In our Preschool and Kindergarten Readiness Programs, we strive to create an environment where children feel valued and secure. We address this by emphasizing secure attachment between the individual child and the primary teacher within consistent groups throughout the year. We also stress the importance of quality communication between teachers and parents in planning appropriately for the needs of each child.
Young Preschool. The teacher-to-student ratio is 1:10. Children must be at least 24 months old in order to enter the Preschool Program.
Potty Training – Our Preschool Teachers are experts at potty training our little ones, and for children still in diapers, potty training is a primary focus of our 2 Year Old Preschool Program.
Older Preschool. The teacher- to-student ratio is 1:12. Children must be 3 years old on or before September 1st and fully potty trained by the start of school to be enrolled in the 3 Year Old Preschool Program.
Our preschool is a joyful place, full of learning and growth. Through our daily, weekly, and monthly lesson plans, we take an active role in defining the environment and providing each child with a balanced and individualized program, designed to reinforce each child’s development.
As we prepare lessons, we plan carefully so children will be challenged but not frustrated, and stimulated but not overwhelmed. We create fun and worthwhile activities to teach concepts such as letters, numbers, and Bible stories. At VCS, we understand young children. Our school day opens with supervised indoor play, which is a friendly and informal way to make the transition from home to school. We continue with Bible time and then move into academic readiness and outdoor activities. Some of the things we focus on in preschool include:
- Bible training – Christian character traits such as love, honesty, respect, and obedience
- Science – Nature and our environment
- Letters – Recognition and sound
- Numbers – Recognition, counting, concepts, and sequencing
- Painting and coloring – Color recognition, fine motor development, pre-writing skills, artistic expression, spatial relationships
- Music – Rhythm and singing, movement and dance, social interaction, games and drama, group interaction
- Stories – Vocabulary building, development of interest in books, introduction to new experiences, relaxation and fun, sharing and enjoying quiet times
- Field trips – Nature and environment, the world around us, community helpers, five senses
- Drama – New songs, Bible verses, poems
The teacher-to-student ratio is 1:12.
Children must be four years old by September 1 in order to enroll in the Kindergarten Readiness Program. In this class, we raise the bar of expectation and provide learning experiences that will help children in preparing for elementary school. We also focus on:
Helping children to develop a good self-image and the ability to share experiences and get along with others
Developing fine and gross motor skills
Fostering awareness of nature
Nurturing creative expression through singing, rhythm, arts and crafts, and drama
Developing language, writing, and reading skills (letter and word recognition; formation of letters, blends, words, and sentences; writing of first name, etc.)
Teaching number concepts (number sequencing 1 – 30, concepts 1 – 30, counting 1 – 100) and simple addition
Bible training (Bible stories and chapel, memory verses, hymns)
Children in the Kindergarten Readiness Program usually have homework on a weekly basis. We encourage you to read the directions carefully and to help your children by providing a quiet place and encouragement to do their best work. Our goal in this class is to make God, His Word, and His Son a part of every daily experience. In our Kindergarten Readiness Programs, teachers partner with parents and are committed to helping your child succeed and excel to his or her full potential spiritually, academically, emotionally, physically, and socially. We desire to provide an environment that creates a thirst for learning and conveys the preciousness and uniqueness of each child.
Our teaching and learning philosophy includes eight styles of learning strategies, a combination of direct instruction, guided practice and hands on play experiences in our carefully planned centers. Academics are also included in our KR program. One of the building blocks in KR is seatwork. Seatwork is considered a structured task to reinforce academics. Seatwork enhances fine motor development through practice and support in writing and coloring skills. This includes eye-hand motor coordination, pincher control and increased spatial awareness. It also refines listening skills and the ability to follow direction through teacher-directed activities. It aids in the development of self-confidence, self-esteem, self-control, refined thinking skills and perseverance in completing task. In addition, reading and math skills through number and letter recognition and name recognition are enhanced. Lastly, seatwork increases vocabulary and communication skills through guided practice and teacher support.
DROP OFF AND PICK UP POLICY
Parents can drop off morning class children at 8:00 a.m. and must pick them up by noon to avoid paying daycare fees. All-day children may come as early as 6:30 a.m., and parents must pick them up no later than 6:00 p.m. We bill for occasional daycare use at the drop-in rate of $8.15 per hour (2021-22 School Year), charged in 15-minute increments. We also assess late pick-up fees after 6:00 p.m. at $15 per 15-minute increment (or a portion thereof). After two occurrences, we will double the fee, charging $30 per occurrence.
Welcome to the VCS Family
Welcome to the VCS family. We are excited to have the opportunity to share the love of God with you as we partner in the care and wellbeing of your child. The Bible says that children are “a gift from God, and the fruit of the womb is His reward” (Psalm 127:3). We believe that each child here at VCS is a gift from God. You can be sure that your child will receive a distinctive Christ-centered education in a nurturing and loving environment.
When you visit our preschool center, you’ll be pleased with the clean, bright environment, and the creative atmosphere. We have a large, fenced playground and plenty of room inside for rolling, crawling, and playing. Our state-licensed caregivers consider their work not just a job, but a ministry, and they find great joy in the care of each child.
Get To Know Our Heart
We believe that when children feel safe and respected and they are given the opportunity to explore their world through thoughtfully planned activities based on their individualized developmental progressions, their learning is enhanced. Because young children learn best through hands-on exploration, our programs incorporate daily activities, centers, and other planned learning experiences that allow the children to freely observe, experiment, develop new skills, and build self-confidence as they explore.
Well Rounded Experiences
Teachers provide various experiences for the children in language, social-emotional, large and small motor skill development, visual-spatial, music, science and mathematical domains. In addition, routine procedures such as diapering, eating, napping, potty training and transitions are handled in a relaxed manner and toys are sanitized on a routine basis throughout the day in the 2-year old preschool center.
Resources For Preschool
School Hours
Office Hours
7:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Morning Classes
8:00 a.m. – noon
Daycare Hours
6:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Heads-Up!
Headlines Not To Miss
Robert Wyland Interview
Listen in as the VCS high school environmental club and second grade art classes interview world-renowned marine life artist, writer, photographer, filmmaker and conservationist, Robert Wyland.