Philosophy
We believe that children are unique human beings with their own individual ways of learning. In support of this belief, we provide natural materials and a well-prepared, responsive environment which emphasizes a child’s own experimentation, self-direction and self-expression. We give the children free choice of curriculum ideas throughout the day. Developmentally appropriate activity areas include block building, art, storytime, writing, science, fantasy, manipulatives, carpentry, large muscle play, singing and dancing, and cooking. Structured areas of our school day involve snack and group time. We offer a social skills based program which is not highly academic. It is our firm belief that the early years of a child’s life are the most important regarding their development. It is our desire to help our children establish healthy self-concepts and social skills so they are equipped with a good foundation for future learning.
Program
Messiah Lutheran Preschool has a very flexible approach to scheduling. We have some basic guidelines around which we structure attendance but are otherwise happy to work with each family to determine a routine that fits their needs. Here is our general guidelines:
Maximum hours per day 8:30 am – 2 pm
Minimum hours per day 9:00 am – 12 pm
Maximum days per week 5
Minimum days per week 2
All of the children are with us during the core portion of the day—9am to noon—on the days they attend. Some children stay for the maximum preschool day—8am to 2pm—while other families choose a different schedule that works for them. Children must attend a minimum of two days a week, but after that we can often be flexible about whether your child attends three, four, or five days a week.
The prekindergarten session is designed for older preschoolers (minimum age 3 years 10 months by September) who are in their last year before starting kindergarten. Enrollment in the pre-K program is subject to recommendation by the director.
Our facility is licensed for 24 children at one time, ages 2 through 5 years. At all times, we maintain a maximum child/teacher ratio of 8-1, children to staff.
Our Space
Entrance
We are fortunate that our preschool is nestled in the lovely Messiah Lutheran Church campus. To reach the preschool, follow the curved path past the newly landscaped garden and little library. Our door overlooks the church courtyard, including a patio, grassy field and small stream.
Inside
The preschool itself takes place in a large, cozy, sunlit room, which is subdivided into smaller activity zones. A reading couch, an “alone zone,” a sharing rug, cubbies for backpacks, child-sized tables with rotating activities, and a fantasy area for imaginative play. The theme of the fantasy area changes every month; one month it will be a supermarket with shelves stocked and child-sized shopping carts, next it could be a gym, a veterinary hospital, a restaurant, a camp site, you name it.
Outdoor space
Behind our classroom is a fenced outdoor space designated for the preschool. We have a big sandbox, multiple play structures, beds for digging and gardening, and even a biking area complete with our own fleet of tricycles.
History
In 1980, desiring to respond to the need for quality childcare for the working parent and to share the congregation’s faith in Jesus with the community, Messiah Lutheran Church investigated the establishment of a preschool at Messiah. Pastor Michael Erickson with the Education committee Chairperson, Dick Ledterman, spearheaded the project. Our director Gretchen Thigpen was recruited for the final stages of developing the preschool in 1982. This resulted in the opening of our preschool in January 1983. The doors opened with eight children attending the morning program and one teacher/director.
Over the years, our program size and offerings have varied, depending upon community and child needs. During the pandemic we transitioned to an outdoor program. After seeing the immense benefit the additional outdoor time had on the children, we decided to continue as a primarily outdoor preschool. At the present, we limit enrollment to 12 children per day, in order to best serve our families. This keeps our student-to-teacher ratio at 6:1.
Since its inception, Messiah Lutheran Preschool has been supported by church funds (start-up costs) and parent fees, and has been supplemented by fundraisers. We welcome your gifts throughout the year to defray expenses, to purchase special equipment, to maintain our scholarship fund, or to finance a major facility modification.