General Information

Program Details

The Presbyterian Preschool and Child Care Center is a non-doctrinal outreach program of the First Presbyterian Church of Corvallis. The program is a 501(c)(3) qualified private school. The center provides 51 weeks of education & care each year, Monday through Friday 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

There are five classrooms that are large, open and well-furnished. The center has access to an indoor play area and a backyard fenced playscape area. The preschool children use the Central Park playground across the street from the center.

Program Options

The infant/wobbler/toddler program offers half-time (25 hrs/week) or full-time care up to five days per week for children 3 to 30 months.

The preschool program offers a 5 day per week option for morning preschool (9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for OPS, and 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. for Pre-K), and also full and half-day choices for children 2.5 – 5 years.

Guidance is positive to help a child develop self-control and learn problem solving skills. Our staff concentrate on knowing each child’s temperament and interests at their age and stage of development. Positive guidance steps for learning include distraction, redirection, and encouragement. To ease transitions, children are given advance notice prior changes in activities.

As contractors under the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), we provide a daily nutritious breakfast, lunch and afternoon snack.

This institution is an equal opportunity provider and employer. “In accordance with Federal law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.

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Daily Schedule includes:

• Warm greeting: Upon entering the classroom the teacher helps start the daily routine with a warm greeting and a check in
• Exploratory classroom and free choice play time: Toys for fine and large motor development, dress-up corner, dramatic play area, water play, sensory table, building blocks, reading center and science center.
• Circle Time for Preschoolers: calendar, weather, discussion, games and music.
• Breakfast, Lunch, PM Snack: Nutritious food is prepared daily on-site using basic ingredients. All of the children develop social skills while preschoolers enjoy family style meals learning manners and how to self-serve.
• Large motor activities morning and afternoon, at least 60 minutes/day: in our indoor play area, fenced backyard and/or Central Park.
• Storytelling and reading, music and singing, movement and dancing: Large and small group story times, individual reading opportunities are part of each classroom.
• Nap Time or Short Quiet Time:
• Infant naps are on individual schedules.
• Wobbler, Toddler, Younger & Older Preschoolers nap or rest after lunch up to 1 1/2 hours.
• Prekindergarten classroom relaxes with quiet time from approx. 2:00 – 2:30 p.m.Some children may nap.
• Goodbye: written observations for Infant/Wobbler/Toddler and verbal updates for preschoolers.

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Curriculum Emphasis in our Program

State approved SPARK curriculum used: High Scope and Creative Curriculum are used for program planning. Science centers and activities foster curiosity, discovery and the desire for exploration with documentation. Examples of activities are cooking and gardening.

Multiple languages are spoken by both staff and families. Language is integrated into our program so that children are exposed to new vocabularies and new sounds. Culture sharing is a valued and important part of the learning process.

Art is an opportunity for self-expression, creativity and experimentation. Small muscles are developing as the child learns to handle paint brushes, crayons, pens, glue sticks, pencils, etc. The emphasis is always on process not product.

Dramatic Play provides an opportunity for role play and for promoting social and language skills.

Literacy skills, both in oral and written stories, are integrated throughout the classrooms.

Music is explored through singing, dancing, listening to many music genres and guest musicians. Regular opportunities to play multiple types of rhythmic musical instruments both indoor and outdoor.

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Parents and Programs

Parents are encouraged to observe their children through the one-way glass in each classroom door and parents have access to their children at any time.

Our staff communicate daily with families through daily conversations, written documentation, newsletters and scheduled conferences. Teachers provide observations regarding each child’s individual temperament, growth and development through individual portfolios.

Activities and resources for parents include:

• Unannounced visits or pick-ups
• Family Dinner NIght and Family Game Nights
• Informal parent get-togethers in Park
• “Special Guest” parent visitation opportunities
• Access to children’s books & parenting books and church library
• Parent participation for projects and fundraising events are required
• Serve as an advisory board representative as volunteer choice
• Year-end preschool graduation celebration

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Meals

The center offers a breakfast, hot lunch, and an afternoon snack. The infant room provides organic baby food (as able) and formula as an option. Nutritious food is prepared daily on-site using basic ingredients. Chicken, Turkey, Tuna or a vegetarian option are part of the menu. Food is provided with no added high-fructose corn syrup or trans-fat. The meals are included in the monthly tuition fees.

Tuition fee includes all classroom supplies. We offer free and reduced meal service to eligible children through the USDA Child and Adult Center Food Program.