A Lifelong Commitment to Early Childhood Education
I knew in my early elementary years that I wanted to make my career in education, specifically working with young children. I had teachers in my family who I loved and respected and several teachers who inspired me to enter the field. I’ve worked in the field of early childhood education for over 30 years and learned that young children learn best through real life, hands-on experiences surrounded by caring individuals and lots of love. Social and emotional skills need to be learned and refined at this stage of their educational journey, so they can be successful in academics in the upper grades. A child who can be respectful of their peers and teachers, who can listen to others and take turns with their peers have a better chance of success.
Competing on Value, Not Price
We’re fortunate to have tremendous support for our Preschool from the community. Our program is a traditional church preschool program, offering part-time hours to our families. When the State of New Jersey began their Preschool Expansion Initiative program, many area preschools and daycares became concerned. Competing with “free” will always be a challenge, however, our families have found value in our program and continue to support us through their children’s participation. Our Preschool welcomes children of all faiths and we teach about the Christian faith through our fruits of the spirit curriculum, bible storytime and prayers. We feel it will always be developmentally appropriate to teach children about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control and that God loves us as we are.
Honoring Every Child’s Unique Gifts and Abilities
God creates each of us perfectly and as such, our teachers value each child’s unique personalities, abilities and gifts. Teachers adjust their curriculum to fit the needs of the children in their classes and follow special interests of the children.
Why Face-to-Face Learning Still Matters
I believe the greatest influence on a child’s future years of education will be the early learning they had at our school. Building a foundation of love for them to build upon will be the best gift we can give them. While the elementary schools continue to push down academic requirements to the lower grades, we know that a respectful child who is ready to listen is ready to learn. While screens are being used at an alarming rate in lower elementary programs, we believe that face-to-face interactions continue to be best for young children and that screens should be limited.
Putting Children First, Every Day
Every year, our Preschool welcomes student observers and student teachers from our local community college, so they can learn from our experienced teachers. My best advice to new teachers is to speak to seasoned teachers and value their input. Teachers who like their jobs, like their students and who stay abreast of new theories in the field will have the best effect on their students. A teacher must leave all her personal challenges aside when she enters the classroom and become a joyful person for their students.
I knew in my early elementary years that I wanted to make my career in education, specifically working with young children. I had teachers in my family who I loved and respected and several teachers who inspired me to enter the field. I’ve worked in the field of early childhood education for over 30 years and learned that young children learn best through real life, hands-on experiences surrounded by caring individuals and lots of love. Social and emotional skills need to be learned and refined at this stage of their educational journey, so they can be successful in academics in the upper grades. A child who can be respectful of their peers and teachers, who can listen to others and take turns with their peers have a better chance of success.
Competing on Value, Not Price
We’re fortunate to have tremendous support for our Preschool from the community. Our program is a traditional church preschool program, offering part-time hours to our families. When the State of New Jersey began their Preschool Expansion Initiative program, many area preschools and daycares became concerned. Competing with “free” will always be a challenge, however, our families have found value in our program and continue to support us through their children’s participation. Our Preschool welcomes children of all faiths and we teach about the Christian faith through our fruits of the spirit curriculum, bible storytime and prayers. We feel it will always be developmentally appropriate to teach children about love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control and that God loves us as we are.
Honoring Every Child’s Unique Gifts and Abilities
God creates each of us perfectly and as such, our teachers value each child’s unique personalities, abilities and gifts. Teachers adjust their curriculum to fit the needs of the children in their classes and follow special interests of the children.
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Preschool is about more than preparing children for kindergarten. It’s about helping them feel safe, loved and confident as they build friendships, discover who they are and take their first steps toward lifelong learning.
Why Face-to-Face Learning Still Matters
I believe the greatest influence on a child’s future years of education will be the early learning they had at our school. Building a foundation of love for them to build upon will be the best gift we can give them. While the elementary schools continue to push down academic requirements to the lower grades, we know that a respectful child who is ready to listen is ready to learn. While screens are being used at an alarming rate in lower elementary programs, we believe that face-to-face interactions continue to be best for young children and that screens should be limited.
Putting Children First, Every Day
Every year, our Preschool welcomes student observers and student teachers from our local community college, so they can learn from our experienced teachers. My best advice to new teachers is to speak to seasoned teachers and value their input. Teachers who like their jobs, like their students and who stay abreast of new theories in the field will have the best effect on their students. A teacher must leave all her personal challenges aside when she enters the classroom and become a joyful person for their students.
