About Us
St. Christopher's Preschool
History
Saint Christopher’s Preschool began in September 1961 as a Mother’s Day Out program to provide a ministry to mothers of young children. Since that time the school has grown into a developmental program, which serves 82 children each school day. SCP is a member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools.
Purpose
SCP promotes a positive and loving atmosphere that provides experiences for children to grow socially, emotionally, intellectually, physically, and spiritually. The school focuses on promoting the children’s independence and self-confidence while teaching them the joys of learning.
Philosophy
Early childhood is an important stage of development. Children grow and learn in developmental stages. The rate of development varies according to the individual child. In order to help the children develop to their fullest potential, we offer a variety of activities that alternate between active/quiet and child/teacher directed.
Curriculum
Learning is organized around weekly themes. Concepts and skills are integrated into the thematic unit.
Activities in the classroom alternate between active/quiet and child/teacher directed. The activities incorporate the following: circle time discussions, fingerplays, music, cooking, art, and large and fine motor. Many of the activities used promote readiness skills needed in math and language arts.
Centers
Centers provide a way for children to be actively involved in learning and making choices. A variety of activities are offered on a rotating basis.
Block Work
Children learn by what they can see, touch, and do. Many types of building blocks are found in the classrooms - wooden, plastic, cardboard bricks, and block boards all contribute to mathematical concepts such as shapes, different sizes, and counting
Our student library emphasizes our dedication to the development of literacy areas—speaking, listening, and storytelling. The privilege of checking out books and returning them on a weekly basis fosters the love of reading, and teaches responsibility in borrowing and caring for books.
Story Land
Once a week the children attend a special story time in the library. Extension activities such as flannel board illustrations, dramatization, songs, fingerplays, story props etc. that coordinate with the story are enjoyed by the children and promotes a love of reading.
Art Program
Teachers encourage children to develop their creativity by exploring different art mediums. There are free art times as well as teacher-directed seasonal arts and craft projects.
Children’s Chapel
Chapel services are held once a month with the rector of St. Christopher's. The children sing songs and hear a chapel story. The music teacher directs the children in songs during chapel time.
Music Program
A degreed music teacher conducts music classes Tuesday through Friday for all ages. The children give a Christmas and
an end-of-the-year music program, and all parents are invited
Physical Development
Physical development is included through using large muscles during a daily recess time held on our beautiful, large, wooded playground or during inclement weather in our “big room” with equipment to encourage large motor development. Parachute play, games, and rhythmic activities throughout the curriculum also encourage large muscle development, coordination, and social skills.
Field Trips and On-Site Fun
The three and four-year-old students will attend one or two off-site field trips. Our entire student body gets to enjoy our numerous special presentations at school, such as puppets, reading events, storytelling, nature center visits, folk dancers, etc.
Daily Schedule
Each classroom teacher develops a daily schedule based on the following activities. The schedule is followed consistently to provide security and consistency to the children. On Orientation night the teacher will give you the specific schedule for your child’s class. Following is a sample schedule:
• 9:30 – 9:45 Greetings/Free Choice Centers
• 9:50 – 10:05 Circle Time Weather, Calendar, Social Studies
• 10:10 – 10:30 Music (2 days)/Cooking/Science
• 10:35 – 11:00 Snack Socializing, Manners, Nutrition
• 11:05 – 11:30 Playground/ Big Room Large Muscle, Cooperative Play
• 11:35 – 11:55 Concepts/Storytime Colors, Shapes, Numbers, Letters
• 12:00 – 12:25 Library/Art Reading/Creativity, Imagination
Ratio:
2 ½ year olds:
1 teacher and 1 teaching assistant per 10 students
3 and 4 year olds:
1 teacher and 1 teaching assistant per 10, 12 or 14 students
Our Staff
Our teachers have four year degrees and experience working with young children or have been preschool teachers for several years. Teachers attend professional development classes on a continuing basis.
Tour Our School
Tours of the school are given Monday through Friday during school hours or may be arranged at other times by calling the preschool office and making an appointment.
The School Year
Calendar
School begins one week from the Labor Day holiday and ends the Thursday preceding the Memorial Day weekend. We follow a modified Fairfax County School Calendar meaning that will be closed days when Fairfax County Schools are closed. The Director reserves the right to close school in the event of catastrophic emergencies. Examples may be no electricity or no water.
Parent Orientation Night
Parent Orientation Night is held Thursday night after the Labor Day holiday at 7:00 p.m. in the school auditorium. The Director will go over school policies and procedures, and introduce the faculty. Afterward, you will meet your child’s teacher who will discuss classroom goals and procedures.
Open House for Parents and Children
Open House for your child will be the Friday morning after Parent Orientation Night. Teachers will be in the classrooms to meet their students. We suggest that you visit for a half-hour during the following time allotted for your child’s class:
Schedule for Friday Open House:
9:30 - 10:30 AM All 3-year-old classes
10:30 - 11:30 AM All 4-year-old classes and the 2 ½ year old class
September School Hours
The hours for the first two weeks of school are from 9:30 – 12:00. These hours are used to help your child transition to a new experience and daily schedule. We want every child to feel safe and comfortable. Beginning the third week of school, the hours will be from 9:30-12:30.
Inclement Weather Policy
The Preschool also observes the same inclement weather schedule as Fairfax County Schools.
Registration
Open registration begins in February preceding the new school year, which begins each September.
Enrollment Criteria
• 2-year old class - 2 ½ before Sept. 30 and show signs of potty training readiness, in the process of training, or are potty trained.
• 3-year old Class - 3 before Sept. 30 and potty trained
• 4-year old Class (3 days) - 4 before Sept. 30 and potty trained
• Pre-K Class (5 days) - 4 before Sept. 30 and potty trained
Enrollment Procedures
Each of the following must be completed before the child begins school.
• Submit a registration application with a $45.00 registration fee (non-refundable) for each child. This holds your child’s space until Aug. 15.
• Submit a copy of your child’s birth certificate or passport for proof of age and identity. *
• Pay activity, insurance, and the first month’s tuition and submit the Virginia School Entrance Health Form. *by Aug. 15.
• Return signed copy of your tuition contract and the Parent Agreement Form
Children registered for the school year before August 15 must have (*) items submitted by August 15 to hold the space.
