Preschool

Overview: 

The Preschool Program at St. Martha Catholic School is a nurturing and enriching early childhood education experience designed to provide a solid foundation for young learners. Our program is grounded in the principles of love, holistic development, and learning through play.

Key Features:

  • Holistic Approach: We believe in fostering the overall development of children—cognitively, emotionally, socially, and physically. Our curriculum is designed to address all aspects of a child’s growth, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.

  • Nurturing Environment: At St. Martha Preschool, we prioritize creating a warm and loving atmosphere where children feel safe, supported, and encouraged to explore and express themselves.

  • Learning through Play: Recognizing the importance of play in early childhood development, our program integrates play-based learning activities. Play is a powerful tool for cognitive and social development, and it forms the basis of our educational philosophy.

  • Strong Foundation: We are committed to laying a strong foundation for academic success. Our curriculum introduces age-appropriate concepts and skills, preparing children for future academic challenges.

  • Faith-Based Values: As part of St. Martha Catholic School, our preschool program integrates faith-based values into daily activities, promoting moral and spiritual growth.

  • Experienced Educators: Our dedicated team of educators is passionate about early childhood education. They are trained to provide a supportive and engaging learning environment for every child.

  • Parent Involvement: We believe in building a strong partnership with parents. Regular communication, parent-teacher conferences, and involvement in school activities are encouraged to create a collaborative educational experience.

St. Martha Preschool is not just a place for early learning; it’s a community where children thrive, guided by caring educators and surrounded by a supportive network of families. We invite you to join us in nurturing the potential of your child and laying the groundwork for a lifelong love of learning.

 

3 Year Old Program: 

St. Martha’s 3 year old program encourages children to think independently and learn through play and daily experiences. Our goal is for students to gain a love for learning – intellectually, socially, physically, and spiritually – from the beginning of their school experience.  We strive to assist in the development of a strong foundation of self-awareness and independent skills.  Our students grow through a variety of small and large group activities, learning based centers, and fine/gross motor activities.  Throughout the school year they will participate in art, music, STEM, Spanish, library and gym classes. 

 

4 Year Old/Pre-K Program: 

St. Martha’s 4 year old/Pre-K program combines an explicit, multisensory approach to phonics.  Rich texts are carefully sequenced to build content knowledge—so that learning to read and reading to learn develop together. 

Although the schedules and ability levels will vary, the classes will spend part of the day in supervised learning centers. This time fosters independence in children, as they are able to choose from many centers. The centers will vary according to ability level and curriculum theme, but may include: writing, reading, imagination, puzzles, fine motor manipulatives, building, and technology. These learning centers are fun for the children and provide one-on-one contact with the teacher as they reinforce specific skills. 

Another part of each day will be spent in small and large group activities. This time will include stories, nursery rhymes, finger plays, songs, movement activities, listening games, as well as lessons on specific topics or themes. Emphasis will be on balancing activities to help the child’s active interest.
Throughout the school year they will participate in art, music, STEM, spanish, library and gym classes.

 

Special Activities: 

  • Parent Readers: Parents sign up and come to the classroom to read to the class throughout the year.
  • Thanksgiving Pray Service and Feast: Students go to the church to sing and pray with their family. Parents and grandparents are then invited to join their child for donuts and fruit. 
  • Christmas Program: There is a Christmas performance in Bethany Center in December. Children sing and perform songs for the season.
  • Field trips and Presentations (depends on availability): Pumpkins patch, theater, museums, community workers, and firefighters with a fire truck come to St. Martha and make learning fun for all.
  • End of the Year Program: Students put on a performance at the end of the year to celebrate all they have learned. Four year old students who will move on to Kindergarten are recognized in a special way.