Our Mission Statement
As disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to ministry, caring for children, showing concern for families in the congregation and the surrounding community. We believe that each child is a child of God and should have every opportunity to develop physically, intellectually, emotionally, socially and spiritually to the fullest potential.
Faithful Friends Preschool provides a Christian environment that encourages learning, teaches to the developmental needs of children, and respects the unique lifestyle of each child. Our Classes
Faithful Friends Preschool accepts children from 2 through 4 years of age.
Individual attention is a top priority at Faithful Friends. We are committed to keeping class sizes small and teacher to student ratios low. The adult to child ratios noted below fall well within NAEYC staffing recommendations and significantly below the DCFS staffing requirements.
Two year olds may choose from a 2 day (T/Th or M/W) or 3 day (M/W/F) option. Both classes will be limited to 12 students with 2 teachers every day. If desired, a family may choose to reserve a space in both the 2 day and 3 day classes. Children in the 2’s classes are not expected to have bathroom skills.
Three and Four year olds can choose from a 2 day (T/Th), 3 day (M/W/F) or 5 day (M-F) option. The class size is limited to 16 students with 2 teachers. We recognize that all children develop at different rates and so will accept children into the 3/4’s class who are still working on self-sufficiency in the bathroom.
All classes meet from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Our Program
Faithful Friends Preschool is a best practices’ preschool in which large blocks of time are devoted to learning through play. Research shows that “young children learn best through manipulation of materials and hands-on experiences, planned by knowledgeable teachers. …it is play with purpose.” (National Association for the Education of Young Children, Early Years Are Learning Years)
FFP students will spend their mornings in classrooms filled with a myriad of sensory stimulating activities from which to choose. Teachers will prepare the environment with a variety of natural materials to allow for free exploration and discovery and will act as facilitators throughout the day. When given the opportunity to work at length with the materials at hand, children will soon develop their own questions and curiosities. The FFP staff will encourage further exploration and will offer guidance, as it seems appropriate. This type of approach to preschool education empowers the child to take ownership of his/her own learning. The children build their own knowledge. The teacher becomes a partner in learning rather than a distributor of knowledge.
At Faithful Friends Preschool, we realize that some children thrive on a familiar routine while others are always looking for that next new experience. Therefore easel painting, block play, play dough and familiar books & songs are part of the every day routine while a rotating variety of table toys, science activities and themed dramatic play areas make each day unique. Children will be free to move from one activity to the next throughout the majority of the morning.
The noted educational psychologist, Jane Healy, PhD, maintains that when presented with options, the child’s brain will tell him/her what kind of activity s/he needs to do at that moment. At FFP, children will have a balance of active and quiet play, energizing and calming play, solitary and group play. They can build with blocks and do table puzzles, climb on the playground equipment and read books, paint at the easel and play house in the dramatic play area. All of these experiences will take place within a loving, Christian environment where the focus is on building strong relationships.
Our Goals
Our goals will help each child feel secure and worthwhile. We strive to help each child: To like themselves, to encourage self-confidence. To enhance sensory, cognitive, self-help, social, emotional and physical development. To promote self-expression through language, dramatic play, music, arts and crafts. To foster a sense of responsibility. To promote cooperation, sharing and self-control. To learn the main Biblical stories of the Christian faith. To trust adults. To grow in the belief that each person is worthy of God’s love and love from others.
We strive also to provide for the community: To contribute to the wholesome growth and development of future citizens. To serve the needs of families without regard to racial, religious, developmental need or ethnic background.
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Julie Healy, Director E-mail: Preschool@champaignfaith.org Phone: 217-359-3631 |
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2009-2010 Teacher E-mail Contacts
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