Our preschool program is designed to provide early childhood education to young children, between the ages of 3 and 5 years old. Our  program aims to foster development in key areas such as spiritual, cognitive, social & emotional, language & literacy and both gross and fine motor skills to prepare children for kindergarten and beyond. Our Preschool participates in the Quality First program and is rated at 4 stars, a Quality Plus program. We are also licensed by the State of Arizona and follow state licensing guidelines.

Curriculum

As part of our daily activities, teachers incorporate the use of Math Shelf, an online math platform to support numeracy skills such as recognizing numbers, counting, and additional early math concepts (e.g., patterns, shapes). Additionally, the use of SAVVAS combined with thematic units, enables students to experience literacy in ways that are engaging and focus on skills such as recognizing letters, sounds, and basic reading concepts. To help guide their spiritual development, the teachers lead Catechesis of The Good Shepherd, which is a child-centered approach to teaching the essential truths of our Catholic faith. The Atrium is a specially prepared environment where the children encounter the Word of God and the signs and symbols of our Faith.

To complete our program we also focus on the following areas: 

• Fine Motor Skills: Activities like drawing, cutting with scissors, and building with blocks help develop hand-eye coordination and dexterity.
  
  
• Gross Motor Skills: Physical activities such as running, jumping, and climbing to improve coordination and strength.
  
  
• Social and Emotional Development: Teaching children how to interact with peers, share, express emotions, and resolve conflicts.
  
  

Schedule

A typical preschool day will include a mix of structured and unstructured activities. The school day is from 8am to 3:15pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday; and 8am-1pm on Thursday. 

Students may be dropped off at Morning Care as early as 7:10am, where they will also have the option of having breakfast at 7:30am.  Additionally, Aftercare is available from 3:30pm-5pm on Monday- Wednesday.

Key Skills Developed in Preschool

Preschool provides children with opportunities to develop a variety of skills that will be essential in their educational journey:

• Cognitive Development: Understanding concepts like size, color, numbers, and shapes.
  
  
• Language Development: Expanding vocabulary, learning to communicate clearly, and listening skills.
  
  
• Social Skills: Developing friendships, learning to share, take turns, and resolve conflicts.
  
  
• Emotional Skills: Understanding and managing emotions, learning empathy, and coping with frustration.
  
  
• Physical Skills: Fine motor (drawing, cutting, coloring) and gross motor skills (running, jumping).
  
  

Parental Involvement

Our preschool program encourages parental involvement through:

• Parent-Teacher Conferences: End of Trimester meetings to discuss the child's progress and development.
  
  
• Volunteering Opportunities: Parents may assist with school or classroom activities following completion of Safe Environment Training/renewal.
  
  
• Communication: Weekly newsletters are sent by their classroom teacher to keep parents informed of school and class happenings.
  
  

Benefits of Preschool

• School Readiness: Prepares children for kindergarten by teaching them foundational academic skills and social behaviors.
  
  
• Socialization: Children learn to interact with their peers and develop communication skills.
  
  
• Self-Esteem: Successfully navigating various activities and building relationships helps children gain confidence.
  
  
• Structured Environment: Preschool provides children with a consistent routine that helps them feel safe and secure.
  
  

National School Lunch Program

St. Agnes is a sponsor of the National School Lunch Program. We encourage all families to apply for the free or reduced price benefits for both lunch and breakfast. A well-balanced, delicious meal is offered each day.