PRE-K

Our Pre-Kindergarten program is a full day (8:00 am-3:15 pm) and is offered for three and four-year-olds. It provides St. Thomas the Apostle’s youngest children the opportunity to grow in a positive, faith-based atmosphere. The program is designed to meet the needs and interests of each child based on the following ideals:

• Enabling children to be aware of God’s love for them

• Providing a happy and caring environment that nurtures growth and respect for self and others

• Creating opportunities for each child to act and interact in a positive atmosphere

• Teaching with kindness, encouragement and direction

• Helping each child develop fine and gross motor skills

• Promoting literacy and critical thinking skills.

We believe all young children can learn naturally in a social environment.  Our program is based on the premise that children gather knowledge through discovery in free play as well as through social interactions with other children and adults.  STA’s youngest students use hands-on activities to learn through meaningful experiences and by making relevant connections to the world around them. Teachers act as facilitators, helping children become responsible for their learning and at the same time providing opportunities for them to refine their social skills.

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St. Thomas the Apostle follows NAEYC (National Association for the Education of Young Children) guidelines for low student/teacher ratios.  Classes are taught by a degreed, licensed Pre-Kindergarten teacher supported by a teacher assistant.

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We consider it a privilege to be entrusted with the development of each child enrolled in the Pre-K program at St. Thomas the Apostle. We strive to foster each child’s individual cognitive, physical, social and emotional growth as we prepare them for the more structured learning environment in the primary grades. STA parents are encouraged to take an active part in their child’s Pre-K life. We cannot replace you as your child’s primary teacher, but we can work with you to give them the foundation for a love of learning.