Welcome to Gloria Dei Lutheran Preschool! PHILOSOPHY:  Gloria Dei believes each child is a gift from God.  Children are individuals with spiritual, physical, social, emotional and cognitive needs that need to be met with developmental curriculum in a safe and nurturing environment.  Gloria Dei Lutheran Preschool is a Christ-centered setting where parents can leave their child, secure in the knowledge that the child will be safe in a facility that fosters children in their development. PURPOSE:  It is the purpose of Gloria Dei Lutheran Preschool to provide a Christian preschool where each child is nourished and provided the opportunity to grow and learn according to his/her personal developmental needs.  Children need to be part of a peer group where their social skills will develop and grow into healthy and lasting relationships.  At Gloria Dei Lutheran Preschool, teachers guide children in becoming independent, facilitate positive communication, assist with following directions, and support children’s developing friendships. SCHOOL YEAR:  The preschool classes begin the day after Labor Day in September and ends in June.  The holiday schedule concurs with the Capistrano Unified School District calendar.  Gloria Dei Lutheran Preschool offers the following programs for children ages 2 to 6 years old:     2 Days             Tuesday – Thursday     3 Days             Monday – Wednesday – Friday     5 Days             Monday – Friday The Preschool day is from 8:30 to 12:15.  The program also offers an early drop off at 7:30 and extended hours from 12:30 to 4:30 in which parents pay by the hour as needed. Facility tours and visitation days are required before enrollment. CURRICULUM:  Gloria Dei Lutheran Preschool offers a strong developmentally based curriculum for children ages 2 to 6 years old.  Our belief is that the preschool should be a playtime experience as well as a program that assists each child in the learning process by providing hands-on and challenging experiences in art, music & movement, science, math, language & literature, and motor activities. These experiences include: Art:  clay, play dough, painting, pasting, crayons, sand, chalk, and more. Music & Movement:  singing, records, rhythmic expression, instruments, dance, etc. Science:  nature studies, science experiments, living plants/animals, earth studies, and more. Math:  rote exercises, one-to-one correlation opportunities, geometric activities, sorting, weight observations, graphing, etc.. Language & Literature:  Bible stories, prayer, poetry, life/subject stories, puppet play, journaling, vocabulary enrichment, visual/auditory perception and discrimination, and more. Motor Development:  exercise, lacing, cutting, writing, inside/outside physical education, coordination activities, sensory activities, etc.

STAFF:  Gloria Dei Lutheran Preschool staff are experienced and qualified members who genuinely love the preschool years of children’s growth.  All teachers are certified and/or credentialed for California.  The staff is trained and participates in annual training through local colleges and/or education conferences and workshops.  The preschool is blessed to have teachers who are highly dedicated to this field with a sincere interest in the education of young children.  ENROLLMENT:  The preschool is for children ages 2 to 6 years old.  Enrollment is contingent on available spaces throughout the school year.  Interested families are given a tour and encouraged to observe the classroom.  Tours are offered during school hours and can be scheduled with the Director. For more information or to schedule a tour: Gloria Dei Lutheran Preschool 33501 Stonehill Dr. Dana Point  Ca  92629 (949) 493-3596 Email: preschool@mygloriadei.org Shelli Parajeckas Preschool Director

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