Pre-School
Contact Mrs. Jerri Ford at jford@stfrancisds.org
Saint Francis de Sales preschool program is an opportunity for children ages 3-5 to play, socialize and learn together in a safe, secure, enriching, fun, Catholic Environment. St. Francis is a faith-based school encompassing the teachings of the Catholic Church, educating the heart as well as the mind. We serve children three years old by September 1st, and potty trained, through pre-kindergarten.
The curriculum is a combination of Catholic education, socialization skills, large and fine motor skills, and readiness for academic and lifelong learning. Each day children are given many opportunities to choose their own activities, pursue their own interests, and build individual friendships through social interaction inside the classroom and outdoors at playtime. Each day children are also included in group activities including circle time for prayer, stories and music, and arts and crafts. Children are encouraged to become self-motivated individuals, as well as cooperative and supportive classmates that can work well together as a team, and as part of a faith community. Every child learns at his or her own pace, and all activities are planned to fit a range of children’s abilities and individual child needs.
Once COVID restrictions are removed, parents will be encouraged to participate in the classroom two times per month, but there is also a "drop-off" option for parents who are not available to be present during school hours. There is a special Co-Op discount for families who regularly help in the classroom. There are special Parishioner rates for families registered at the church as active parishioners.
Our usual hours are 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. We have options for morning only class 8:30- 11:30, afternoon only 11:30 – 2:30, or full day class 8:30am – 2:30pm. Children may register for Tuesday/Thursday only, Monday/Wednesday/Friday only or all 5 days. All 5 days or MWF is recommended for children applying for Kindergarten at SFDS the following year.
The St. Francis de Sales Preschool has a limited number of openings each school year. If you are interested in registering your child, or would like more information, please feel free to contact Jerri Ford at 818-784-9573 or jford@stfrancisds.org
We encourage parents to volunteer in the classroom (as soon as all COVID restrictions are no longer needed) because parent involvement is very important at this young age. Your children want you and need you to be their first teachers. Parent involvement allows our adult/child ratio to be at least 1 adult to 5 children (with 4-6 adults for 20 or fewer children). Mixed age grouping allows for the older and younger children to learn from each other and allows for the wide range of abilities in the age group. No "grade" placement allows parents to be flexible if you are not sure which year your late birthday child should start Kindergarten. Familiarity with the school and the future Kindergarten classmates helps make the transition to Kindergarten easier if your child continues on at SFDS.
