• Mission Statement and Objectives
• Curriculum and Class Requirements
• Calendar (2007-2008)
• Fall Registration Information
• General Registration Information and Policy

Mission Statement and Objectives

The Saint Francis United Methodist Church Preschool shall function to provide quality experiences to help the preschool children grow and obtain a positive attitude toward school in the United Methodist tradition.

Objectives of the Preschool

1. To provide opportunities for spiritual, emotional, intellectual, and physical growth in a loving atmosphere through a developmentally age-appropriate Christian based curriculum in the United Methodist tradition.
2. To provide an environment and activities that will enrich each child's development, creativity and self-esteem.
3. To provide opportunities for children to work and play both individually and in groups, promoting love and respect for one another.
4. To provide appropriate activities such as indoor/outdoor play; experiences in art, music, and movement; and concept development using age-appropriate materials.
5. To provide mission opportunities for St. Francis UMC to reach out to non-church member families in our community.
6. To provide opportunities to assist families undergoing extreme hardship.

Curriculum & Class Requirements

To provide a developmentally age-appropriate curriculum to include academic, social, and spiritual activities that will enhance the child's abilities for future school work.  Each age group will have monthly chapel and weekly music.  Below is a breakdown by age group.

Toddler

Class begins at 9:15 a.m. and end at 12:15p.m.  The Toddler's will have a shortened schedule for the first few weeks to help the children adjust to their new surroundings.  They meet two days a week, either M/W or T/TH.  They must be able to walk independently by the first day of school.  The curriculum is created to provide social and emotional development through constructive play.  The student to staff ratio is 6 students to one teacher and one teacher aide. (Please note that the minimum age for the toddler class is 16 months, therefore, children must be one on or before March 31.)  

Twos       

Classes begin at 9:15 a.m. and end at 12:15 p.m.  They meet two days a week, either M/W or T/TH.  The curriculum is created to provide social, emotional, motor and cognitive development through independent and structured play.  The student to staff ratio is 10 students to one teacher and one teacher aide.

Threes   

Classes begin at 9:15 a.m. and end at 12:15 p.m.  They meet three days a week, M/W/F or two days a week, T/TH.  We ask that they be potty trained by eight weeks after the first day of school.  The curriculum is created to provide social, emotional, motor and cognitive development through independent and structured play.  The student to staff ratio is 12 students to one teacher and one teacher aide.

Fours       

Classes begin at 9:15 a.m. and end at 12:45 p.m.  We have three different class options for the four year old program. 

• The three to four day class attends school on M/W/F then M/T/W/F beginning in January.
• The four to five day class attends school on M/T/W/TH then all five days beginning in January.
• The five day class attends all five days year round.

The curriculum is created to provide social, emotional, motor and cognitive development through independent and structured play.  In addition to chapel and music the four year olds will have a weekly science program and lunch bunch on a daily basis.  Lunch bunch is designed to help the children learn how to use appropriate manners at the table, open their food packages and clean up their lunch area.  The children will be asked to bring a lunch every day.  All of these experiences will prepare them for future success in school.  The student to staff ratio is 12 students to one teacher and one teacher aide.

Calendar

The preschool year operates in parallel with the Wake County School system traditional calendar (approximately September through May).  The preschool also observes United Methodist, local, state, and federal holidays.

Saint Francis Preschool Calendar 2007-2008 

The preschool will have several events throughout the year which are special for both the children and parents such as the Halloween Parade and Father/Child day.  In addition, the four year old classes will perform a Christmas program, Mother's Day tea, and graduation program.  The preschool also has several special programs for the kids such as Reading Time and Safety Month. 

Spring and Fall pictures are a wonderful way to have a keepsake of your child's preschool years and you also have the opportunity to have siblings included in the picture.  They make wonderful gifts for the family.

Fall Registration Information

Fall registration is now open to the public. For information about available spaces, please contact the preschool director, Kathryn Ervin, at preschooldirector@saintfrancisumc.org or 919-362-8657.

Registration fees are $85 per child, $65 for each additional child, due at the time the child is placed in a class. 

Monthly tuition for each class, due by the 10th of the month is:

• Toddlers -- $130/month
• Twos -- $130/month
• Threes -- $130/month for T/Th, $160/month for M/W/F
• Three to Four Day Fours -- $185/month Sept.-Dec.; $205/month, Jan.-May
• Four to Five Day Fours -- $205/month, Sept.-Dec.; $225/month, Jan.-May
• Five Days -- $225/month

General Registration Information and Policy

Registration will be conducted in a systematic manner with groups registering in the following order:

1. Preschool and church staff and SFUMC Preschool Board members' children.
2. Children enrolled in the preschool eligible to return for the next school year. To register at this time, the student's preschool accounts must be up-to-date. Children that have withdrawn before the end of the school year lose their early registration privilege.
3. Siblings of returning students
4. Children of Saint Francis United Methodist Church members.
5. Siblings of alumni
6. General public

Children must attain the minimum age for their class on or before August 31 in the school year to be enrolled.  (Please note that the minimum age for the toddler class is 16 months, therefore, children must be one on or before March 31.)

The preschool desires a 50/50-boy/girl ratio for each classroom at registration. 

If registration exceeds available space, registrants will be put on a waiting list on a first come basis.

The Saint Francis United Methodist Church Preschool Board shall make final interpretation and administration of these registration policies.