Westminster Preschool provides a safe, nurturing environment where children can develop spiritually, emotionally, socially, physically, intellectually and culturally. Our program balances child-initiated and teacher-directed activities, with an emphasis on creativity and play.
Westminster is licensed by the State of Nebraska and proud of our level five rating in Step up to Quality. Find more information here: https://www.education.ne.gov/StepUpToQuality/
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Preschool Goals
- To create a caring, loving, Christian community where each child can learn about God and his creation
- To provide an opportunity to learn social, emotional, physical and cognitive skills appropriate for each child’s developmental level
- To help each child develop a positive self-image and to provide opportunities for successful interactions with other children
- To learn through self-directed activities involving both large and small motor abilities
- To enable each child to express themselves through art, language, music, free play and creative movement
Class Activities
Our activities in the classroom center on six week studies such as Buildings, Trees and Reduce, Reuse Recycle. Class activities include:
- Structured and unstructured play time
- Art activities
- Stories
- Music and finger plays
- Large motor activities (in gym or on playground)
- Dramatic play
- Language Arts
- Math
- Science
- Nutritional snack each day
- Chapel Chat
For teaching social-emotional skills, Westminster employs the Second Step curriculum.
Special family events, field trips, and guest speakers supplement regular classroom instruction.
Class Size
We have a ratio of 1:8 staff to child ratio for all ages. The state ratio is 1:12. What a unique opportunity to have not only qualified staff educating and caring for your children but substantial staff.
Our class size is 24. We are licensed for 75 children.
Chapel Chat
Chapel Chat is held in the Chapel every Monday and Tuesday so all children have an opportunity to participate.
This time is fun, informal, and generally includes reading Bible stories, singing religious songs, and a time of prayer. The Director of Children’s Ministries leads Chapel Chat. It is not
strictly a “Presbyterian” time, but a time appropriate for all Christian children. (Note: Parents are
welcome to join Chapel Chat any time.)
[Children take turns each week being “candle lighters”]
We have two field trips with families each year. We visit Roca Berry Farm and The Lincoln Children’s Museum.
Parent Involvement
Parents are welcome to stop by and visit their child’s class at any time, including Chapel Chat and special events. Parents can volunteer in the classroom, and our Parent Advisory Board meets monthly. We welcome suggestions for field trips or guest speakers. Read what current parents have to say about Westminster.
Teaching Strategies Gold and Parent Conferences
Teachers maintain an online portfolio for each child during their time in our preschool. The portfolio contains observation notes, samples of work, photos, and an assessment form with individualized goals for learning. We utilize an on-line system that parents have access to for maintaining portfolios (www.teachingstrategies.com)
We hold parent conferences twice a year to review the portfolios and discuss the individualized goals set by you and the preschool staff. Additional conferences can be requested at any time during the year.
Individual Education Plans
For children who show sign of giftedness or delays in learning abilities, we develop an individual plan for learning and refer parents to appropriate professionals for a more formal evaluation.
Adventure Camp and Extended Care
We offer an “Adventure Camp” that’s packed full of fun during winter and spring breaks when the preschool is closed. Daily extended care in the early morning and afternoon is available to children on days they attend school. Learn more about these programs.
Safety
Your child’s safety is our foremost concern. Every precaution is taken to be sure children are safe at all times, including:
- The proper staff-to-child ratio is maintained at all times
- All staff have current certification in CPR and first aid
- Monthly fire and tornado drills are conducted
- Written permission and photo ID are required when someone unknown to the staff needs to pick up a child
Non-Discrimination Policy
It is the policy of Westminster Preschool not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, disability, sexual orientation, or national and ethnic origin in its educational programs, admissions policies, employment and general policies.
