About Us
St. Christopher's Preschool
History
St. 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 75 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.
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 an age-appropriate 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
Our entire student body gets to enjoy our numerous especial presentations at school, such as the puppet shows, reading events, storytelling, nature center visits, folk dancers and community helpers. The three and four-year-old students may have opportunities for an off-site field trip.
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
All of our lead teachers have degrees and all of our assistant teachers, either have a degree or are working on their degree. All also have significant experience working with young children or have been teachers for several years. Teachers attend professional development classes on a continuing basis.
Tour Our School
Tours of the school are by appointment Monday through Friday during school hours and may be arranged at other times by calling the preschool office.
The School Year Calendar
School begins one week from the Labor Day holiday and ends the Friday 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 Tuesday 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.
2019 School Year - Parent Orientation will be held on Tuesday, September 3rd at 7:00pm.
Open House for Parents and Children
Open House for your child will be the Wednesday 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 - Wednesday, September 4th, 2019:
9:30 - 10:30 AM All 3-year-old classes
10:30 - 11:30 AM The 2 ½ classes and All 4-year-old classes
September School Hours
Thursday, September 5th and Friday, September 6th, 2019 - 9:30 to 11:30am
We will operate on an abbreviated schedule with classes being held from 9:30am to 11:30pm. Parents are invited to join us for coffee in the Big Room while your children play and make new friends. This is designed to help your child transition to their new class. We want them to feel safe and comfortable.
Monday, September 9th - Regular Hours Begin - 9:30am to 12:30pm
Registration
We are currently enrolling for the Fall of 2019-20 school year. We will continue with rolling admissions until all of our spots are filled. We do have spaces available in several of our classes.
Enrollment Criteria
• 2 ½ 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:
In order to register:
- Submit a registration application with a $75.00 registration fee (non-refundable) for each child. We do not collect the registration fee if your child is on a waitlist.
- Present your child’s birth certificate or passport for verification of age and identity. (New students only!)
- Pay activity, insurance fees, and the tuition deposit (this deposit is applied toward May 2019 tuition). At this point you are considered fully enrolled. As we require 30 days notice from the beginning of the month, to exit the program. This tuition deposit is non-refundable after August 1st, 2019
- By September 3rd:
Submit the Virginia School Entrance Health Form.
