Providing "Excellence for All" Since 1961
preschool
About our Program
At St. John the Evangelist Preschool, we serve students as young as 2 1/2 years old, providing a nurturing environment that celebrates both academics and play. Our preschool program runs from 8 AM to 12 PM, with an optional afternoon program that extends until 6 PM, offering flexibility for working families.
Our preschool curriculum is designed to foster early learning and development through a balanced approach that combines structured academic activities with ample opportunities for play and exploration. This blend helps young children develop essential cognitive, social, and motor skills in a fun and engaging setting.
The SJE Early Childhood Path
SJE has a reputation for building a solid academic and social foundation for students early on in their educational journeys. Enrolling children early in school helps foster excellent habits, social skills, and academics.
Preschool: 2.5 - 5 years old (must be potty trained)
Transitional Kindergarten: 4-5 years old (must be 5 by June 1)
Kindergarten: Must be 5 by September 1
For our summer birthdays, we will discuss the best placement and path for your child with you on an individual basis. Each child is different! We want to work with you to make sure your child is in the correct academic and social-emotional placement.
A Day in Preschool
8:00- 8:10 Drop Off
8:10-8:20 Greetings/Sign-In
Children learn appropriate conversation skills and the pre-kindergarten (4's) students sign their own name every day. Also, all students find their photo and place it on our attendance board.
8:20-9:00 Choice Time
Activities such as molding play dough and coloring develop fine motor skills.
Imaginative play with the playhouse, dramatic play area and office area inspires creativity, interpersonal skills and linguistics. Children also learn how to interact with their peers and work with everyday objects.
Building with blocks and train sets promote problem solving and develops mechanical and three dimensional perspectives. Flipping through picture books in the library promotes literacy, letter recognition, and encourages early reading. Puzzles, table games, and manipulatives develop many parts of the brain. Children develop classification, sorting, organizing, math, and spatial skills. Sensory table activities promote exploration, textural awareness, motor skills, scientific thinking, and many other cognitive skills needed for learning. Art and craft projects teach children how to follow directions, express themselves, and learn fine motor skills.
9:05-9:10 Clean-Up
Clean-up time teaches responsibility, team work, motor skills,
and listening skills.
9:10-9:30 Circle/Calendar
During this time we sing and do finger plays that promote literacy, spatial skills, and coordination. We also focus on math, counting, weather, calendar, and the Bible story of the week. Children learn spatial awareness, listening skills, patience, taking turns, and raising their hand to speak.
9:30-9:40 Bathroom Break
Although the children can use the restroom when needed, this designated time is given for using the bathroom.
9:40- 10:00 Outside Play
Outside play develops gross motor skills, fine motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and social skills. Basic movements and skills such as running, riding a tricycle, riding a scooter, climbing, jumping roping, swinging, and balancing are just a few things they practice during outside play.
10:00-10:30 Snack Time
Eating together teaches about food groups, manners, social skills, fine motor skills, independence, and making healthy choices. We wash our hands before snack. We also pray every day and recognize our snack friend and our parent helper at this time.
10:30-11:15 Group Time
Group time curriculum covers a range of skills needed to enter kindergarten, such as beginning reading, writing, and math. Fine motor skills such as cutting are developed, and team work, socialization, and problem solving are enhanced. In particular, we spend time learning letter sounds, music and movement, and weekly cooking. Fine motor skills, cooperation, math and science skills, and cognitive growth are improved during cooking.
11:15-11:30 Second Outside Play
11:30- 11:45 Literacy Time
Our weekly literacy schedule includes story and comprehension activities, letter writing, writing in our journals, and share time. Language development, letter recognition, writing, and listening skills are main focuses for this time of the day. We focus on one book per week that fits into our theme and one book based on the letter of the week. We read aloud daily before pick up to encourage a love of reading and to teach about a variety of topics.
11:45-11:55 Sharing And Book Baskets
One child shares something from home using the Sharing backpack. Then the children in each sharing group read quietly from the theme books in the basket.
11:55-12:00 Dismissal And Clean-Up
Extended care is available from 7:00-8:00AM and 12:00-6:00PM
