Saint Nicholas Pre-School & Pre-Kindergarten
“The Head Start That Lasts a Lifetime”
Our dedicated, nurturing teachers provide a "Home away from Home" in a secure, loving environment for positive learning experiences. We offer a full-day program, as well as, a part-time program for both our Pre-School and Pre-Kindergarten classes. We welcome all children that will be three years old by December 1st into our Pre-School program and children that will be four years of age by December 1st into our Pre-Kindergarten program. Our experienced teachers and facilities exceed the standards set by the State of California. We welcome you to come and observe our program in progress by attending our Open House or requesting a classroom observation. Our program provides a rich variety of experiences to develop the whole child.
Pre-School
The Saint Nicholas Pre-School is designed to be developmentally appropriate to allow each child an opportunity to experience learning when they show interest and readiness, while at the same time encouraging social awareness. This is accomplished through a combination of group directed activities, as well as individual activities through learning centers. Activities are organized to incorporate monthly themes to focus on specific educational objectives, such as color or shape.
Group Activities
Group activities, such as music, craft or story times, offer children an opportunity to develop a sense of self within a community. Cooperation with others and respect for others is encouraged, while achieving educational objectives. The activities are planned to develop listening skills, encourage reading readiness, and refine fine motor skills.
Learning Centers
Educational objectives are also achieved through organized classroom learning centers, offering opportunities to choose areas of interest, foster cooperation through sharing, and develop a sense of independence. Activities allow students to be creative and to develop their curiosity and self-expression. Identification of colors, shapes and numbers, and distinguishing between phonetic sounds are included.
Pre-Kindergarten
The Pre-Kindergarten program at Saint Nicholas School encourages learning in a warm, nurturing atmosphere with hands-on activities that include arts, crafts, music, storytelling, and the introduction of writing. Self-expression and creativity are developed daily through classroom projects, as well as, school programs.
- The reading readiness program begins at the Pre-K level through the introduction of phonetic skills. Children will learn to recognize all the letters of the alphabet (upper and lower case), the sounds they make, and will identify pictures that begin with each sound.
- Number readiness begins with number recognition, counting and writing numbers 1-20.
- Daily opportunities are arranged to reinforce social development by practicing how to be a friend, making friends, being a member of a group, and how to follow directions.
- Hands-on activities are designed to strengthen hand/eye coordination and gross motor skills.
- Increasing attention span and personal responsibility are developed as children share small group experiences in rhythm, dance, song, finger plays and storytelling.
- Creative exploration is encouraged through painting, modeling, crafting and imaginative play.
- Weekly chapel attendance is an integral part of the life of the school and relationships with God are strengthened.