Preschool and Early Childhood Classes

St. Catherine's Preschool and Early Childhood Center is a state-licensed Childcare facility with prekindergarten. Our teacher-to-student ratio is very low. The chart below compares our student-to-teacher ratio to the state ratios set by Texas Health and Human Services for Childcare Centers.

• We offer a play-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum for emergent learning. Children learn through hands-on, child-centered activities focused on play and discovery.
• Teachers plan lessons based on the children's interests, skills, and needs. This approach ensures that learning is engaging and meaningful, helping children thrive.

• Social & Emotional Development
• Language Development
• Reading & Writing
• Number Concepts
• Fine & Gross Motor Skills
• Reasoning & Cognitive Development
• STEM Activities (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) Creativity
  

• St. Catherine's Preschool and Early Childhood follows the Texas Prekindergarten Guidelines for School Readiness.
• Our play-based program is designed to prepare your child for kindergarten while fostering a love for learning.

• Children in the 3-year-old and Pre-K classes will visit the Atrium weekly for The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd.
• All classes participate in music sessions supporting educational, cognitive, and social development.

• Students will spend at least 60 minutes outdoors on one of our two playgrounds daily.
• During inclement weather, classes will have "indoor recess" with activities that promote active movement and development of small and gross motor skills.
• Children may enjoy nature walks, picnics, and other child-centered outdoor activities.

• All children enrolled in the 3-year-old and Pre-K classes must be fully potty-trained.

• Children in the 2-year-old classes will have an adjusted dismissal schedule for the first two weeks of school to help them ease into their new routine.
  • Week 1: Dismissal at 11:00 a.m.
  • Week 2: Dismissal at 12:00 p.m. 
• This gradual increase in time will allow children to adjust comfortably to their new schedules and classrooms.

 

Have you been wondering why your child always seems to be playing instead of working in our classroom?

It's because play IS the work of a child!

Research has shown that play is the most effective way to teach preschoolers. Here are some of the things we are learning:

Social skills like sharing and self-control.

Fine motor skills to prepare us for holding writing tools.

Gross motor skills like coordination and balance.

Creative expression and taking pride in our work.

Literacy skills like book care and recognizing familiar words.

Math skills like counting, sorting, and comparing.

Science skills like constructing, experimenting, and observing.

Please feel free to ask any questions you might have about our curriculum. Your child is learning AND having fun!

                ❤  St. Catherine's Preschool Teachers

 

What is purposeful play?
Play is serious business. Purposeful play experiences are constructed to create more profound learning experiences that a child will remember and internalize. In children's brains, when they're playing, they're doing the deepest learning.

Why learn through play?
Learning through play fosters a brain with increased flexibility and a greater potential for learning later in life. Play-based learning is a vital tool for early teaching and learning, as it significantly benefits children in developing essential life skills. Play is a healthy form of learning, which can also help reduce stress and anxiety.

What do different types of play-based learning look like?

• Child-Initiated Play: 
  • Freely chosen by the child
  • Little direct adult involvement or interaction
  • Spontaneous
• Guided Play:
  • Initiated by the child or adult
  • Adults may join in to extend learning through questioning and demonstrating
• Teacher-Led Play:
  • Organized and directed by an adult and may include instructions, but remains open-ended
  • Intentions are clear and specific and promote high-level thinking skills

What is structured play vs. free play?
Structured or goal-oriented play generally involves using logic to solve problems. Unstructured play, also known as free play, is a creative and open-ended activity. Both types of play are essential for instilling a sense of curiosity and purposeful learning in children. When a child participates in a structured play activity, they learn to recognize patterns and achieve a set goal in the most efficient and effective way. In contrast, free play is about learning to create from scratch and explore possibilities.

• Examples of Structured Play:
  • Organized sports such as soccer or tag
  • Following directions to put together a LEGO set or model toy
  • Puzzles, card games, or board games that involve rules
  • Activities that children are enrolled in, such as gymnastics or dance
• Examples of Free Play:
  • Playing on playground equipment, climbing, swinging, running around
  • Playing make-believe and dress-up
  • Drawing, coloring, painting, cutting, and gluing with art supplies
  • Reading books they enjoy, not as an assignment

Is my child learning in a play-based preschool?
Play is a child's work. It's the tool they use to learn. Play is the way children work. In children's brains, when they're playing, they're doing the deepest learning.

Will placing my child in a play-based preschool hinder their ability to transfer into a public school?
No, research shows that children learn best in a play-based environment. Play and the development of social-emotional skills help prepare children for success in their educational journey.

Does my child need to be toilet-trained?
Yes, unless they are two years old. In our two-year-old classrooms, we will work with you and your child to help implement the toilet training you are doing at home. Children in the three-year-old and Pre-K classes must be fully toilet-trained due to the limited diaper-changing facilities available in those classrooms.

Do I need to pack a snack and lunch?
Children are required to bring a water bottle, a snack, and lunch every day. We have a snack in the morning and lunch around 11:30-12:00. We also offer an optional Pizza Day with fruit and a small dessert once a month.