Schools

'Open House' Everyday at Good Shepherd's Pre-K School

There's an alternative in town for parents looking for an established pre-K setting for their kids.

While some daycare facilities and preschools offer specific days or weeks for their open houses, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church is offering something different.

Everyday is now an "open house," at Good Shepherd's Pre-Kindergarten, said Good Shepherd's pastor, the Rev. Eric Olsen.

Olsen leads a tight nit congregation pro-active in community life. Recently, Good Shepherd decided to promote it's pre-K program through an open-door policy for busy parents interested in a program for their young kids.

Established in 1956 on Central Park Road in Plainview, Good Shepherd Lutheran School educates children ages 2 through those in pre-kindergarten in a safe, stimulating Christian environment.

The staff of dedicated, experienced teachers and assistants is devoted to providing an "enriching educational experience in an atmosphere of Christian love, encouraging the development of a positive self-concept and concern for the feelings and needs of others," Olsen said.

Chartered by the New York State Department of Education and licensed by the state, the school’s low student-to-teacher ratio ensures children receive individual attention and developmentally appropriate instruction.

The "Toddler Separation" two-hour program is designed for children who are fully ready for a “no parent” class. Nursery and Pre-Kindergarten programs offer classes for six-hour full days, Monday through Friday, or half days with morning or afternoon sessions. These programs offer parents flexibility in their choices and are designed to guide 3- and 4-year-old children in their social, intellectual, spiritual, and physical development, organizers say. Before- and after-care programs are available on a regular or flexible basis, 7 a.m.- 6 p.m.

The church's five-acre campus, situated well away from the road, includes spacious, air-conditioned classrooms, a full-size air-conditioned gymnasium, a one-third acre fenced-in playground and church where the children attend chapel once a week.

Formerly an elementary school, the average classroom space is 775 square feet, offering ample spaces for full group instruction as well as a variety of centers including dramatic play, blocks and building, science and discovery, art, puzzles and manipulatives, books, and writing.

The library holds over 1,000 hard-cover volumes; the shelves are filled with books chosen through our Birthday Book Club and dedicated by families to the children who have attended our school over the years.

Good Shepherd’s teachers hold either BA or MA degrees in Education. Along with the assistants, the entire staff receives ongoing training each year, covering the nine areas of required early childhood training and are certified in CPR, AED, and First Aid. The classroom daily schedules include the necessary preschool curriculum components to prepare children to move on to Kindergarten.

Good Shepherd is working closely with the Plainview-Old Bethpage school district to make sure we are on track to educate our children to be successful, happy, and independent students. Additionally, it is "our goal to send them off with self-confidence, grounded in the love of Jesus," Olsen said.

There is also a summer “SPLASH” Program, which gives children an opportunity to continue the Good Shepherd experience throughout the summer months. Flexible hours, days, and weeks provide families with opportunities to work around vacations and schedules.

Using a Bible-based whole-child curriculum, it touches on all curriculum areas with weekly themes. Water play, games, and a variety of recreational activities are offered, organizers said.

Before and after school tours also available. For information:



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