The Methodist Preschool of Chagrin Falls strives to create a warm, loving, learning environment that stimulates creativity and produces an atmosphere conducive to developing a positive self-image for each child.
We respect the power of play, recognizing that these too are learning times. Our teachers offer choices among activities which have the potential for skill and knowledge acquisition. It is our belief that children learn through exploring and experimenting with a wide variety of materials, so they can also play in an indoor playground just by installing indoor play centre equipment for this.
Our preschool curriculum, which follows the Ohio Department of Education’s Early Learning and Development Standards, allows the child to explore how things work and, also, to learn first-hand about the world in which we live. They must touch, feel, smell, hear and see. From these sensory-motor experiences, children develop the awareness of concepts that are prerequisites for reading and other academic tasks.
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Gaining Trust and Building Skills
Our 3’s program provides a warm, nurturing atmosphere in which the child’s introduction to the educational process is accepting, inviting and encouraging.
Teachers assist children in experiencing a positive separation from home; opportunities to work with various media forms; development of listening skills; opportunities for large and small motor development; exposure to readiness concepts in reading, writing and math; growth in social development; and awareness of safety.
- Attendance: 2 days per week – Mon/Tues or Wed/Thurs from 9 – 12 p.m.
- Parent Participation: 3-5 times per year
- Staff to Child Ratio: 3:17 (Lead Teacher, Classroom Aide and a Helping Parent)
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Celebrating Independent Thinkers
Our 4’s program introduces children to kindergarten readiness concepts in reading, math, science and social studies using developmentally-appropriate, play-based methods as well as individual and small group instruction.
This program continues to help them in social, emotional and physical growth as well. The teachers also strive to develop an appreciation and enjoyment of music, art and creative expressions. There are many opportunities for making choices, becoming independent thinkers and developing confidence.
- Attendance: 3 days per week – Mon/Tues/Wed from 9 – 12 p.m.
- Parent Participation 5 times per year
- Staff to Child Ratio: 3:18 (Lead Teacher, Classroom Aide and a Helping Parent).
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Promoting confidence, literacy, and readiness
Designed to honor each child’s individual timetable for growth and development, our 5’s program gives students many opportunities to continue to practice skills for kindergarten readiness. We like to call this program the Gift of Time.
Periods of free choice, creative play and traditional academic activities promote social skills, self-confidence and self-regulation. Our 5’s program provides an environment rich in Literacy, Math, Science and the natural world. Children also engage in lunch with their peers and field trips.
- Attendance: 4 days per week – Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
- Children bring lunch
- Staff to Child Ratio: 1:14
More Time to Play!
If your child needs a little more time with friends, Lunch Bunch offers the perfect opportunity to extend their day. Registration information will be available to you at Parents’ Orientation. This program begins in late September to allow children a few weeks to adjust to their daily preschool schedule. Parents choose attendance days.
- Attendance: Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs – 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
- Children bring lunch
- Open to 3’s and 4’s
Tuesday's Ark is set to sail!
Tuesday’s Ark is a 30-minute class by Methodist Preschool staff in partnership with Pastor Nick Gliha from the Methodist Church staff. If you are looking to introduce the conversation of faith to your child but don’t know where to begin or have a religious place to call home, Tuesday’s Ark is for you! In this exciting program, children are introduced to popular Bible stories through fun and engaging storytelling, wacky take home crafts, team building games, and much more!
- Attendance: Tuesdays from 1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
- Open to 3’s, 4’s and 5’s
Science-Technology-Engineering-Art-Math
STEAM is an acronym for Science-Technology-Engineering-Art-Math. While we infuse these topics into our daily lessons, our weekly STEAM program gives the older children extra time to further explore and grow in these areas. STEAM experiences help children learn to question what they are doing, discover better ways, make corrections, try again, communicate about what they are doing, represent their work with drawings, compare with others, etc. which helps them be more focused and engaged as they play and learn. These are skills that educators and employers believe to be vital in society today. We begin laying the foundation for these skills at an appropriate level, both in regular classes, and in our new STEAM program.
- Attendance: Wed – 1 p.m.- 2 p.m.
- Open to 4’s and 5’s
Our 4's just keep learning!
4’s families have the option of an optional fourth day of preschool. This additional day will provide an extension of the curriculum taught on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The daily schedule is the same as Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday and students will continue to accomplish the standards each day that the children participate. The “Enrichment Thursday” option allows children to spend a fourth half-day at preschool in preparation for five full days in kindergarten.
- Attendance: Thursdays 9 a.m. -12 p.m.
- Open to currently enrolled 4’s
A Great Way to End the Week!
This program is for children enrolled in the Methodist Preschool, and is not a parent participation program. Fun Friday is a supplemental day in addition to your child’s normal preschool schedule. Children bring their lunches and are offered a variety of activities including visits from Naturalists, Creative Movement, and Chagrin Falls Library.
- Attendance: Fridays, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
- Children bring lunch
- Open to all students ages 3-5
Santa needs a little help!
At Santa’s Workshop, our little Elves have a jolly-good time “working” and playing all over preschool! They enjoy holiday themed activities in each room, play in the bike room, make a very special holiday craft (perfect as a gift or to enjoy at home) and end their time together with a snack. Registration for this one-day program is offered in November.
- Attendance: One morning and one afternoon session (Parents choose)
- Snack provided
- Open to 3’s, 4’s and 5’s
Enjoy A Morning Out!
If your child is too young for preschool, please check out our Parents’ Morning Out (PMO) program, located on the first floor, for children age 12-months but not yet three years of age by September 30.
For more detailed information on this program, please visit the United Methodist Church of Chagrin Falls.
- Attendance: Mon/Tues/Wed/Thurs – 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
- Open to 12-months to not three by 9/30
- Staff to Child Ratio: 2:10