We have been busy celebrating our youngest students at Saint Anne Parish School this week to mark “Week of the Young Child”, a national celebration sponsored and supported by the National Association for the Education of Young Children. As Saint Anne Parish School’s Early Childhood Director, I view this week as an exciting opportunity for us to offer unique experiences for the children every day and the theme of “Celebrating Young Learners” fits right in with our preschool philosophy.
Some experiences we have enjoyed with our preschoolers this week include Stretch n Grow, Storybus, our own ”Big Trucks” event, Technology Day and our annual preschool Art Show for families. Storybus is a museum on wheels offering a literacy experience for the children. Our teachers were required to attend a five session training in order to qualify for the visit.
Our Tech Day included use of the Ipad cart in our classrooms, which was recently stocked with 30 new IPads for the student use, as well as another cart available with 30 Chrome Books. It’s been an exciting week for our students and celebrating children is what we do best.
Saint Anne Next Generation Preschool was opened in September of 2000, after an extensive renovation of the school and church campus. Our bright beautiful classrooms enjoy access to the playground and a grassy field for outdoor play.
Our highly qualified, state certified, degreed teaching staff executes age appropriate, research based curriculum, incorporating the philosophy of intentional teaching. Our curriculums are chosen with components that meet the needs of our 3, 4, and 5-year-olds, as well as our kindergarten aged students in order to offer our early childhood population the security and continuity of familiar programs that build seamlessly upon what the children have learned during the prior school year.
Our preschool program has grown and developed extensively over the past 5 years to include as much scheduling flexibility as parents need with regard to the number of days per week or hours per day their family requires. We are able to offer half day, extended day and full day programs. Our tuition is highly competitive with other local programs. Preschool students have access to the specialized staff available to the whole school, enjoying the advantage of gym, music and foreign language instruction as part of their school day.
Our curriculum is planned with careful attention to the developmental needs of young children. We realize that every child has unique gifts and we feel it is our job to uncover those qualities and help to develop them through a daily plan that excites and challenges our littlest learners. Our belief in multiple intelligence planning guides us in creating a classroom that offers experiences that challenge every student while acknowledging their wide range of life experience, developmental readiness and cultural heritage.
It has been my privilege to serve the families at St. Anne School for 14 years. We have, through that time, endeavored to grow and change with the high demand for excellence that characterizes the Barrington community. Our preschool programs offer the opportunity to access a highly qualified teaching staff and a flexible daily schedule as well, including before and after school care and a full school day for those families who need it. We also have half day and extended day programs in an effort to offer something for everyone and we are happy to welcome children of all faiths.
St. Anne Preschool has recently begun a new playgroup for children and their caregivers from ages 0-4. Please tell your friends to come and join us in our beautiful school gym for this free opportunity to meet new friends for your child and for yourself as well! We are happy to schedule tours at your convenience to share the good news about our wonderful preschool!
Our warm, caring school community is anxious to welcome you. Please call and come in to see all that we can offer to your family. For more information about this and all of our programs, please contact me at nmeehan@stanneschoolbarrington.org or by phone at 847-381-0311.
About the Author
Nancy Meehan serves as the Early Childhood Director at St. Anne Parish School. Nancy has been a member of the St. Anne Faculty since 2001 and has taught in the Barrington community for 25 years. Nancy teaches with the firm belief that little learners can achieve great things and deserve the best we have to offer them. She also believes the early childhood experience is foundational to a child’s future success in school – and quality counts. Nancy holds a B.A. in Early Childhood Education and an M.S.in Elementary Education. Nancy enjoys the challenge of keeping current on best practice for her young students through professional development, reading and collaborating with her colleagues.
Located at 319 Franklin Street in Barrington, Illinois, Saint Anne Parish School is now accepting registrations for the 2015-2016 school year in Preschool through 8th Grade. For more information, you can reach the school’s main office at 847-301-0311. Click here to follow the latest St. Anne School updates on Facebook or visit their website at StAnneSchoolBarrington.org.
