About Grace Preschool

Grace offers three schedules for preschool classes that are held:
8:30-11:30 a.m.
- Monday through Friday;
- Monday/Wednesday/Friday;
- and Tuesday/Thursday

Beth Ann Lehr, Director of Preschool

Grace Lutheran Preschool creates a Christian atmosphere that fosters learning for young children.

About Grace Preschool

Grace Preschool has a wonderful reputation in Henderson County because of our academic curriculum. Our program provides a foundation for life-long learning and solid preparation for the educational and social demands of the structured Kindergarten and elementary school day.

Grace Lutheran Preschool was rated the prestigious awards of “Best Preschool”, “Best Childcare” and “Best Parent/Child Program” and “Best Aftercare” in Western North Carolina by WNC Parent magazine. We were also recently awarded the “Best Preschool in Hendersonville” by the Times News.

Grace Special Classes

At Grace Preschool, special classes are included in the curriculum such as Phonics for 3’s and Pre-K that teaches basic sounds. It is taught in a way that children enjoy, so that some of our children are reading before they leave our Preschool.  Spanish/Sign Language is taught from the Walkers to Pre-K and integrated into the curriculum throughout the day. All students attend Bible Storytime which is taught by the church religious education team.  We use the Frolic Christian curriculum character development themes that cover a variety of topics, including how to be a kind friend, patience, sharing, calming yourself, asking for help, and using your gifts to help our world.  Music is an integral part of the curriculum in all classes with weekly Music and Movement/Yoga stretching classes for all ages.  Our Pre-K has three special classes to enhance their personal knowledge with Geography/Diversity, STEAM Science, and Mindfulness.

A dynamic staff, church support, parent and community participation create a family atmosphere that makes for a unique learning experience for all involved.  Parents, Grandparents, and Care Providers are always welcome to volunteer at the Preschool. Opportunities include the Weekly Reader program, monthly “In-House” Field Trip presenters, the Preschool Playgroup, and the March Book Swap.
Updated on a daily and weekly basis:Facebook: gracepreschoolhendersonville   Instagram: gracelutheranpreschoolhendoWebsite: www.gracehendersonville.com (Click on the Preschool link)Please contact me at: (828) 693-4972   balehr@gracehendersonville.com

Grace Preschool Philosophy

Our philosophy is based on the belief that children learn best in an early childhood program that provides developmentally appropriate educational experiences in an integrated setting. Our early childhood program is designed to provide a stimulating Christian learning environment that supports the social, emotional, cognitive and physical development of every child. In this engaging environment, children learn through appropriate play experiences that encourage active participation in learning. Teachers guide, support, and when needed, directly teach our children developmentally appropriate play and social skills.Our aim is to build a community of learners by providing children with enriching experiences to develop self-confidence, independence and strong cognitive and social skills. We respect the dignity, worth, and individuality of each child and are committed to helping children achieve their full potential. Our goal is to help children grow up confident in their own identity and respectful of other people. Grace Preschool recognizes the significant relationship among teachers, students, parents, and families and encourages continuous collaboration in a climate of mutual respect, cooperation and shared responsibility.

Grace Preschool Curriculum

“Knowledge enters the mind gradually, almost unconsciously. It is the teacher’s job to plant knowledge like a seed, tend to it with encouragement and love, and nurture it while it grows and blooms.” Anonymous

The teachers and support staff of Grace Preschool provide such an atmosphere for all our students to grow and bloom. We employ highly qualified staff dedicated to providing the very best of educational experiences for your child. Our Preschool establishes the foundation for life-long learning in a safe and loving environment.Based on the belief that children learn through play, active manipulation of their environment, life experience and communicating with peers and adults, the curriculum is designed to facilitate children’s involvement in their own learning. The program balances active and quiet play and independent learning and group participation where teachers facilitate the children’s interactions with each other and their environment. Teachers observe each child’s activities in order to tailor and expand curriculum to meet individual needs and interests. Parents are encouraged to maintain close communication with staff and be a partner in their child’s learning.

Educational Programs

We are very proud of the variety of educational programs that will stimulate your child and prepare them socially and intellectually for Kindergarten.
From the Walking program to the Pre-K program, Grace offers a creative and loving Christian-based environment for your child.  An exciting educational curriculum follows the seasons and events of the year, plus pre-math, pre-reading, refinement of fine and gross motor skills development, cooking projects, social skills with their peers and staff, and Spanish/Sign Language.  Our curriculum for three’s and Pre-K children includes the above, as well as, an introduction to Music & Movement that incorporates sign language and yoga, and weekly Bible Storytime with the church religious education team.  Pre-K classes also enjoy enrichment in Geography and Mindfulness every week beginning in October of each year.  Additionally, the Two’s, Three’s and Pre-K children receive phonics instruction to help facilitate early reading skills.  All children are assessed in the spring of each year and 3s & Pre-K twice a year in fall and spring to determine their readiness for Kindergarten.  Pre-K results are shared with parents during scheduled conferences to discuss their progress in our program and readiness for Kindergarten.

Communication

Grace Preschool is a family environment in which parents and staff works together as a team. Communication is the key to our collaboration.

The following are ways that the Director and staff will communicate with you:

  • Weekly email updates from the Director (please read these weekly)
  • Monthly letter and calendar from the classroom staff
  • Phone calls
  • Meetings with staff and parents as needed
  • Facebook and Instagram

Operational Policies

Three schedules offered:
Monday through Friday,
Monday,
Wednesday,
FridayTuesday
and Thursday

Additional Programs offered: Earlybirds Aftercare during the academic school year: Monday through Thursday
Summer Camp
– Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays, May through August, for children who are registered at our Preschool.

Preschool Hours

Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.Earlybirds: Large Activity Room from 8-8:25 a.m., located at the Preschool East entrance doorDrop-in basis, there is no sign-up sheet. The purchase of a fob is suggested for quick entrance, $10 cash only user fee.Normal Arrival:  8:30 a.m. Doors close at 8:45 a.m., located at the Preschool Main entrance doors.11:30 a.m. Dismissal: 11:30-11:45 a.m., Doors close at 11:45 a.m., located at the Preschool Main entrance doorsAftercare: Monday-Thursday, 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m.1:30 p.m. Dismissal: Begins at 1:20 p.m., Ends at 1:30 p.m., located at the Preschool Main entrance doorsSummer Camp: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays, May through August, 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.Doors open at 1:20 p.m.On bad weather days, you and your child’s safety is our utmost concern at our preschool, so please exercise good judgment on whether or not to bring your child.

Additional Programs Offered

EARLYBIRDSEarlybirds is available in the Large Activity Room from 8:00-8:25 AM for children on a drop-in basis, there is no sign-up sheet.  Your child will be escorted to their classroom at 8:25 AM.  The charge is $1.00 per day.Earlybirds:Fobs: If you need a fob, please bring $10 in cash for your fob deposit to the Preschool Office.  We will return the $10 deposit to you when you turn-in your fob.Earlybird Payment: Please pay for the maximum amount of days you expect to use for the month.  Any credit balances will carry forward.EARLYBIRDS WILL NOT BE HELD ON DELAY DAYS.

Ages of our Preschoolers

Grace Lutheran Preschool is an academic preschool program for the following ages:Walkers (13-24 months) – One classroomTwo’s (2 and 3 year olds) – Two classroomsThree’s (3 and 4 year olds) – Two classroomsPre-K (4 & 5 year olds) – Two classroomsFor children with their 5 year-old birthdays from June-August, they may stay an extra year if recommended by the Pre-K staff and requested by parents.  There are two Pre-K classrooms that have different teachers that teach the same material but in their own manner so that each year is fresh and different.  This allows the children to be in classes with some of the children that stay back an extra year and have the familiarity with the staff and building.

Aftercare

Aftercare is offered Monday through Thursday from 11:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m. for $8.00 per day.  This program is an opportunity for students to play with other children and make friends.  Play is outside for most of the time and children eat their lunch provided by their care provider.  Intentional activities are provided to enhance Preschool themes.To sign-up for Aftercare, please sign-up in advance on a clipboard located on the bookcase outside the Preschool office.  If your child is not signed-up in advance, they may not be able to stay because we need to stay in teacher to child ratios for this program.Payment is due at the beginning of the month for the entire month.

Summer Camp

Summer Camp is an optional program Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.  It runs from the end of May to the middle of August.  Your child must sign-up in advance to attend the program. Earlybirds is not offered.  All Summer Camp fees must be paid by the last day of Summer Camp for your child to attend our school in the Fall.

Typical Daily Schedule

Daily activities include a variety of active and quiet individual and group projects.

A typical day consists of the following: Center Time, Circle Time, art projects, cooking, creative expression, sand and water play, blocks, books, games, puzzles, science exploration, outside play, and our special classes.

Child is coloring the drawing at Grace Lutheran Church

Weekly Emails

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