Top view of two young kids coloring together

Programs

Here at St. James Lutheran Preschool, we offer an intentional, carefully designed progression of early childhood preschool class offerings from ages 12 months – 5 Years. The progression is natural and developmentally appropriate, designed to optimize Kindergarten readiness while celebrating learning through play and honoring the magic of early childhood. This progression allows each child the gift of time to learn and develop at his/her own pace while optimizing self-confidence, resilience, and growth. When children complete the St. James Lutheran Preschool early childhood progression they are fully prepared for Kindergarten, embedded with a love of learning and a sense of self and belonging that roots them solidly for years to come.

Mommy & Me

CHILDREN AGES BIRTH - 23 MONTHS

(Dads, Grandparents & Caregivers Welcome)
Three 6-week Sessions: Fall, Winter, & Spring

St. James Lutheran Preschool welcomes you and your little one to our youngest and sweetest program! The atmosphere is one of warm and supportive companionship with other families, facilitated by a St. James Lutheran Preschool educator to form a beautiful experience for both parents (and special caregivers) and children.

CHILDREN
- Explore a child-friendly environment that challenges and nurtures, with simple play materials.
- Delight in special attention given to support their unfolding interests, motor abilities, and problem-solving
  skills.
- Experience social interaction in play that stimulates their speech and language development.
- Engage with other children at their stage of development, while developing social capacities.
ADULTS
- Experience an environment that encourages the valuable exchange of ideas and information.
- Explore the value of observation in seeing and understanding what their children are doing and how they are learning as they play.
- Delight in the joy of sharing songs and games with their children that support speech and language
  development.
- Meet other parents and find a community of sharing and support.
- Discover new tips for parenting and caregiving.
REGISTRATION DETAILS
- Classes will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis upon receipt of both registration form and payment in full.
- Register for one or both sessions.
- Classes meet on Fridays for 6 weeks per session.
- All fees are non-refundable once the session starts.
- Payment is required before attending the first class.
- No prorating for absences or partial attendance.
- One make-up date (at the end of the program) will be scheduled for cancellation due to inclement weather.

Little girl painting in Tiny Tots Program

Tiny Tots - 2 Year Old Separation Program

(Children Must Be 2 Years Old by December 1st)
2-day AM Mon/Wed 9:30 - 11:30 am
2-day AM Tue/Thu 9:30 - 11:30 am

The Tiny Tots program is a separate program for our youngest children which starts in mid-September and finishes the first week of June. Each child is unique in terms of their readiness for separation – typically parents/caregivers stay with their child for the first 15-30 minutes of the session until the child can easily seperate. Once the child easily separates, parents/ caregivers are not required to remain for the first 15-30 minutes of the session.

TYPICAL DAY

Our sessions start with welcoming each other, saying our names, singing and fingerplays. We enjoy stories and flannel board activities which provide opportunity for language development. Each day a craft is offered which gives the children a chance to experience many types of creative media including paint, crayons and glue sticks. During free play, we have many table toy manipulatives such as play dough, puzzles and blocks for fine motor development and we enjoy outdoor play and moving to music for large muscle development. Snack is provided each day.
SPECIAL DAY
- Birthdays
- Halloween
- Thanksgiving
- Christmas
- Valentine's Day
- St. Patrick's Day
- Easter

3 Year Old Program

(Children Must Be 3 Years Old by December 1st)

2-day AM	Tue/Thu	9:30 - 12 noon
3-day AM	Mon/Wed/Fri	9:30 - 12 noon

Our 3 year old program provides a loving, nurturing environment designed to foster your child's social, emotional and creative development through play, projects and music. Thinking and reasoning skills are developed through our daily hands on activities. Parent-teacher conferences are scheduled in November and May. A comprehensive portfolio including photos, work samples and assessments is presented at the May conference.

TYPICAL DAY

GREETING/FREE PLAY:
Children are greeted each day as they enter the classroom and then hang their coats and tote bags in their cubbies. After approximately 15 minutes of free play, the children gather on the meeting rug for a few minutes to sing hello to each other and have their teacher explain the day.

FREE PLAY/PROJECTS:
After our "mini-meeting" the children return to free play where they can choose to play at the tables with toys, puzzles, play dough etc. They may choose to play in the dramatic play area, build with blocks, play with trucks and cars or choose a quiet spot near the library to look at a book.

During free play children are invited in small groups to participate in a creative project that is consistent with our theme for the day. Our projects allow children to explore all types of media including paint, watercolor and finger paint, learning to cut with scissors and using glue sticks. Most days the children bring their projects home, others are saved to display in our classroom.

CLEAN UP:
Children all participate in putting toys away in areas that are labeled with pictures and words.

STORY TIME/CIRCLE TIME:
A story related to the theme is read aloud and often a flannel board activity is presented. Songs and finger plays are taught as we learn about seasons, holidays, colors, shapes, animals and other fun things! We will also say the Pledge of Allegiance during this time. Children have the opportunity to share their experiences in a group setting.

SNACK & DRINK:
After washing their hands, children locate their photo and name tag at the tables and prayer is said together. Snack is provided each day.

PLAYGROUND:
Children have fun developing their gross motor skills each day on our large playground or can play inside our parish hall on inclement weather days.
SPECIAL DAY
- Parent Participation Day
- Incubating Chicken Eggs and Raising Baby Chicks
- Raising Monarch Butterflies
- Benner's Farm Field Trip – Springtime's Baby Animals
- Sweetbriar Nature Center visits STJLP– Dinosaur Program (in house)
- Smithtown Library Field Trip
- Bike-a-Thon and Bike Safety Skills Day
- Celebration of Children's Birthdays
- Thanksgiving Day Feast
- Christmas Play
- Moving Up Ceremony

4 Year Old Program

(Children Must Be 4 Years Old by December 1st)

5-day PM

Mon - Fri

1:00 - 3.30 PM

Our 4 year old programs provide a loving, nurturing environment where children develop the social and academic skills needed as they prepare to transition to kindergarten. Parent – teacher conferences are scheduled in November and May. A comprehensive portfolio including photos, work samples and assessments is presented at the May conference.

TYPICAL DAY

GREETING/SIGNING IN:
Children are greeted each day, hang their coats and tote bags in their cubbies and then sign in by writing their names with help as needed. After 15 minutes of free play, the children gather on the meeting rug to sing hello to each other and have their teacher explain the day.

FREE PLAY/PROJECTS:
Children have their choice to play in all areas of our classroom such as the kitchen/dress-up area, building blocks, play dough table, listening center, word cards, etc. Teachers and assistants facilitate cooperative play and conversation. Creative projects are usually completed in small groups and provide opportunities for children to explore with paint, scissors, glue, etc.

ALPHABET/NUMBERS:
Throughout the school year, using worksheets, songs, homework and projects, children are taught to recognize, write and sound out each letter of the alphabet and to recognize and write numbers 1 – 20 and count with one-to-one correspondence. Children are also taught to count by 5's and 10's, and to be challenged to count to 100. Sight words are introduced later in the year. NOTE: 5 Day Program includes creation of several books including a bound ABC book, as well as additional worksheets and projects for numerous science, math and literacy topics. We will also say the Pledge of Allegiance during this time.

CLEAN UP:
Children learn the responsibility of cleaning up their play area each day alongside their classmates.

STORY TIME/CIRCLE TIME:
A lesson is presented consistent with the theme of the day/week. A story is read aloud, songs are sung and dialogue is encouraged to promote language development. We will also say the Pledge of Allegiance during this time.

SNACK & DRINK:
After washing their hands, children locate their names at the tables and prayer is said together. Snack is provided each day.

PLAYGROUND:
Children enjoy time outside on our large playground or can play inside our parish hall on inclement weather days.
SPECIAL DAY
- Incubating Chicken Eggs and Raising Baby Chicks
- Raising Painted Lady Butterflies
- Rocket Ship Program
- Halloween Parade
- Creation Book Project with Pastor Neil
- Sweetbriar Nature Center Field Trip - Butterfly Vivarium
- Dinosaur Program
- Smithtown Library Field Trip
- St. James Firehouse Field Trip
- Mystery Reader
- Community Worker Month
- Bike-a-Thon and Bike Safety Skills Day
- Celebration of Children's Birthdays
- Thanksgiving Day Feast
- Christmas Play
- Graduation Ceremony
- End of Year Picnic

Lunch Bunch

Offered Monday-Friday from 12-12:25 for children enrolled in 3 & 4 Year Old Programs

Bring your LUNCH to school and practice social and table manners with friends while listening to a story. Our Lunch Bunch teachers will gather the children staying for lunch and they will assist, as needed, in helping your child open any lunch items that you pack for them.

Our ONLY RULE for LUNCH BUNCH: Parent MUST call the Preschool Office at 631-862-8934 by 2 pm the DAY BEFORE to reserve your child's spot for the next day's Lunch Bunch. This policy ensures safe and proper staffing. Same day reservations cannot be accommodated. Thank you for your understanding!

*** Reminder: St. James Lutheran Preschool is NUT-FREE. Please do not pack any NUT items in your child's lunch, including, but not limited to: peanut butter, trail mix, candy bars, M&Ms, etc...)***

St. James Lutheran Church

Children’s Sunday School, Confirmation & Youth Group

If you have kids ranging in age from preschool through 6th grade, we have the PERFECT Sunday School program for you! Our Sunday School is great! It is staffed by a group of dedicated teachers and assistants! Not only do the kids learn about God through lessons, projects and music, they also get to attend a part of our Sunday morning worship service with their parents, teachers and classmates!

The children begin their Sunday School class in the church, with a special opening just for them. At sermon time, the kids will go down to their classrooms and have their lessons.

LEARN MORE

Policy of Racial Non-Discrimination

“St. James Lutheran Preschool admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and athletic and other school administered programs.”