Great Beginnings
- Details
- Category: Ministries
Great Beginnings Preschool
Great Beginnings Preschool has been a part of our church for more than forty years, serving children ages three and four years old. Our preschool provides an atmosphere reflective of God’s love, enabling children to:
* make a transition from home to school by learning to follow directions to work and play cooperatively;
*develop a positive self-image, a feeling of belonging, and a sense of security
*discover and develop individual creativity;
* cultivate a desire for knowledge;
* respond to a discipline outside the home;
* prepare for a happy transition to kindergarten
* grow in a Christian setting, making every effort to meet his or her personal needs.
Great Beginnings recognizes the individual abilities of the children and the varying faith concepts brought to the school by staff, parents, and students; therefore, basic Christian concepts are integrated into all areas of the program. The Great Beginnings program uses activities appropriate to the developmental level of each class/age group to achieve its goals. Activity times focus on projects, free play, stories, and occasional field trips built around special themes.
SERVING AGES
Children must be at least three years old by September 1 of the current school year to be eligible for the program. Children turning age three prior to December 31, may be eligible to begin attendance on or after their three year old birthday. The program is designed to serve the needs of children ages three through four, with emphasis on pre-kindergarten preparation. (Age appropriate programming is provided for each age level.)
STAFF
GREAT BEGINNINGS COMMITTEE
Great Beginnings Preschool is sponsored by the Children and Family Ministry program at First United Lutheran Church, ELCA. The Great Beginnings committee of the First United congregation, along with the First United Lutheran Director of Children and Family ministry, supervises all of the operational and administrative details, makes policies, and handles all finances and scholarships.
SANDRA GOSSE, DIRECTOR/LEAD TEACHER
Mrs. Gosse is Great Beginnings’ Lead Teacher-Director, and this is her sixth year with our program. She has received her training from Lakeshore Technical College and has been active in early childhood. We are delighted that Sandy brings her creativity and talent to our preschool, and grateful to have our families benefit from her warmth and professionalism.
DEBRA ROEGNER, ASSOCIATE TEACHER
This is Mrs. Roegner’s second year as Associate Teacher for Great Beginnings Preschool. Debbie holds a degree in Elementary Education from Lakeland College as well as an Associate Degree in Early Childhood from Lakeshore Technical College. Debbie is very excited to be a part of the team at Great Beginnings Preschool, and is committed to providing a learning environment that is both caring and positive.
Our Curriculum
Christian Concepts
Great Beginnings incorporates faith concepts into all aspects of the program. Children experience God’s love as expressed through staff and peers and develop an understanding of how to express that love in their lives. Holiday celebrations, i.e., Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Easter are all approached from a Christian perspective.
Self- Expression and Communication Skills
Children improve their communication skills through both verbal and nonverbal self-expression. Children are encouraged to use these skills when expressing happy feelings as well as when faced with frustrating situations.
Creative Expression
Children are provided materials and opportunities that encourage personal expression and cultural appreciation. Great Beginnings teachers serve as primary sources of encouragement in furthering creative expression and positive feelings.
Large and Small Muscle Development
Children are given opportunities to use both large and small muscles through indoor and outdoor activities.
Intellectual Growth and Readiness
Children are provided with materials for further sensory development. They will learn to question, make comparisons, and make simple interpretations.
Time, Space, and Numbers
Children will learn about the days of the week, months of the year, seasons, time, space, and simple number concepts. Number succession, learning where numbers are used, and occasional sorting activities will be the focus of learning activities.
Beginning Reading Readiness
Children will be introduced to specific letters of the alphabet and will be shown that the printed page can serve as a form of communication.