Ward Parkway Preschool

Organized in 1966, this Preschool is sponsored by the Ward Parkway Presbyterian Church as a service to the entire community.  The staff pledges themselves to “make little people feel like big people” by listening, praising, helping, respecting, loving, and caring!

 

Philosophy:

*  All children are a “gift from God.” (Psalm 127.3)

*  All children have an insatiable curiosity to learn about the world around them, and if provided with a rich environment will discover highly creative ways of constructing their own knowledge in ways that are appropriate for themselves.

*  Play is one of the major ways young children construct knowledge.

*  Clear thinking, decision making and problem solving are basic skills learned through practical play relationships and healthy interpersonal experiences.

*  The use of work sheets and rigid academic drills are NOT appropriate for preschool children and lead to boredom, self-defeat and loss of the pure joy of learning.

 

 

Goals:

*  To provide high quality, early childhood education in every developmental area.

*  To provide many opportunities to question, wonder, discover, explore, and discuss experiences.

*  To provide a learning environment that is rich in Christian heritage.

 

Preschool staff carefully plan developmentally appropriate activities for each child using the Constructivist theory.  This theory is based on the idea that children learn best, and are more excited about learning when they are actively involved in constructing their own knowledge through interacting with the physical and social  world as they understand it.

 

The teachers in each classroom carefully make their daily lesson plans, focusing on the total overall growth and development of each child in the areas of Social, Physical, Mental, and Spiritual.  Monthly lesson plans are posted in the office.

 

Special Physical Education classes are held each Tuesday and Wednesday in the fellowship hall.  These P.E.  classes aim at helping children develop skills related to movement.  Children are asked to wear sneakers and pants for easy and safe movement on P.E. days. Two Physical Education teachers teach this class.

 

 

Accreditation & Memberships:
Ward Parkway Preschool has been accredited by the Missouri Center for Accreditation of Early Childhood Education Programs since 1985.   

 

Ward Parkway Preschool is a founding member of the Christian Preschool Association, and a member of the Association for the Education of Young Children.

 

Call Kathy Montgomery or Kim Manford at 816/361-2201... they will be happy to answer any questions you might have about our wonderful, Christian Preschool.