OUR PRESCHOOL
OUR MISSION
The Preschool is an outreach ministry of the parish, and its mission is to provide safe and dependable care and educational opportunities for young children in a Christian environment.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Our standard is child-directed, developmentally appropriate education that emphasizes rich and creative experiences and develops the love of learning. We understand that each child is unique with different, valued gifts. We encourage each child to respect the rights of others, develop independence, build self confidence, and attain the fullest capacity for emotional development.
OUR COMMUNITY
Our school is enhanced by the rich and varied support we receive from our families, parishioners, preschool and church staff and local organizations. Participation is encouraged in a variety of ways: Parent/Teacher Advisory Board, school committees, donations, and as classroom ‘helpers’, assisting our teachers with numerous school and classroom activities.
CURRICULUM
The children at Saint Boniface Preschool have numerous opportunities for emotional, cognitive, physical, spiritual, and creative growth through exciting learning centers and appropriate, child-directed activities in each classroom. Educational development stems from creative play, which is a major component of our instructional program. We have incorporated the nationally recognized CREATIVE CURRICULUM as the basis of our classroom activities. This highly regarded developmental curriculum provides cognitively stimulating and physically challenging opportunities for growth and development in all areas. We feature activities and materials that focus on literacy, dramatic play, art, music, science, mathematics and fine and gross motor development.
THE STAFF
Our teachers have at least 10 years of experience working at Saint Boniface Preschool, and many have over 14 years teaching here. Each member of our teaching staff has at minimum a Child Development Associate (CDA) or Child Development Specialist (CDS) certificate. This level of experience, dedication and qualification engenders confidence in parents while providing a secure, quality environment for children. Our teachers attend continuing education classes, early childhood conferences, and local child care workshops throughout the year.
OUR CAMPUS
Housed on the grounds of the Saint Boniface Episcopal Church on Siesta Key, our amply sized classrooms exceed national standards and accommodate our toddlers, three-year- olds and four-year-olds in the Voluntary PreKindergarten (VPK) programs. We are currently upgrading our three playgrounds to create beautiful and enjoyable areas. One playground will be converted into a "natural" play area, incorporating a butterfly garden, wooden stepping blocks, sand and water experiences, and wonderfully sculpted oak trees. We also have a large indoor area for fitness and gross motor activities providing safe, creative, and stimulating activities for children.
DAILY PROGRAMS
Our preschool is in operation from 7:30am to 5:30pm Monday through Friday. We accept children from 15 months to 5 years of age. Our toddler and three-year-old classes, have flexible schedules providing parents with a variety of two- to five-day programs. Each of our classrooms focuses on free choice activities at a variety of centers including books, dramatic play, science, art, math, etc. Children are engaged in free play activities and outdoor play for substantial time throughout the day, enriching their minds and bodies.
VOLUNTARY PRE-KINDERGARTEN (VPK) PROGRAM
We offer a free Voluntary PreKindergarten (VPK) program which meets all standards set by the Early Learning Coalition of Sarasota. The free, 180 day program is a precursor to kindergarten, and accepts children who will be 4 years of age by September 1. Our VPK teachers work individually and in small groups helping children to achieve their maximum capabilities. For those parents needing additional care, we offer a wide variety of wrap around hours each day.
ENRICHMENT
Our children are exposed to the arts and the community in many ways that enrich the preschool experience. We embrace the cultural aspects of our community with visits from Mote Marine, community theater groups, local artists and musicians, and visits from other community resources such as the local Fire Department or local dental hygienist. We continue to search out and partner with individuals and organizations offering creative, imaginative and varied educational programs for our children.
Each month, throughout the school year, we feature a guest speaker for our parents and the Sarasota community. These presentations focus on various topics related to early childhood education, e.g. nutrition, transitioning to kindergarten, assessing quality child care, and challenging and normal behavioral issues in young children.
SCHOOL YEAR
Classes begin in August and end in May. We follow the public school calendar with a few exceptions. A Preschool calendar is published each year.
A summer session is offered in June, July and part of August. A child must be 2 years old to enter in this program.
A big thanks to Asst. Manager Mike Parker and the folks at the Home Depot on Cattleman Rd. Their generous donation of sand and mulch have helped beautify the playgrounds and surrounding landscape for the Preschool.
