St. James Early Childhood
Joyfully sharing the gospel of God’s kingdom and preparing children for a life of learning and service to Christ Jesus and their neighbor.
A developmentally appropriate Christian environment provides a place for children to grow and learn through opportunities for guided, teacher-directed, or self-directed play. Activities are designed to recognize each child’s varied needs and abilities, and to cultivate a love of learning.
Early Childhood Programs
Nursery
6 weeks through 15 months
Full Time 7:30 am-4:30 pm
Extended Care Available
Toddler
16 months by August 1
Full Time 7:30-4:30
Extended Care Available
Preschool 2
2 years old by August 1
Part Time & Full Time Options
Extended Care Available
Preschool 3
3 years old by August 1
Part Time and Full Time Options
Extended Care Available
PreKindergarten
4 years old by August 1
Part Time and Full Time Options
Extended Care Available
Learning through Meaning-Laden Play
One In Christ and Enduring Faith Christian formation curriculums, published by Concordia Publishing House, help teachers plan meaningful lessons based upon weekly Bible Stories. We read from The Story Bible and a variety of Arch Books. Children participate in Bible verse and prayer memory, and story retelling opportunities. They learn the Apostles’ Creed, the Lord’s Prayer, the Gloria Patri and Doxology as their liturgical foundation.
Chapel – During chapel we follow the historic liturgy of the Church, learn biblical prayers, and Chrisitan hymns. Children learn to sit and participate respectfully, yet joyfully, in Mass. Students receive catechetical instruction during the chapel homily.
- Phonemic Awareness and Phonics are taught through the multi-sensory program, Zoo Phonics. Children learn these skills through song, dance, and games.
- Literature – Traditional children’s stories including Dr. Suess, Aesop’s Fairy Tales, Bible stories, and other beloved classic tales are read aloud. Part of their literature experiences includes story retelling through dramatic play, puppets, or felt board activities. Students in PS3 and PK visit the library one time a week for a storytime and an opportunity to check out books.
- Writing – In their early years children practice fine motor skills through playing with playdough, creating art, and other activities. As students progress, letter writing is taught through multi-sensory experiences such as skywriting, writing in sand, or whipped cream, along with using a writing implement.
Children learn important math concepts which include counting, 1:1 correspondence, number recognition, geometry, and visual-spatial learning through authentic multi-sensory opportunities such as shape sorters, completing puzzles, building with blocks, calendar time, and center time.
Children are encouraged to explore and learn about nature through outdoor experiences. They complete guided science experiments, such as Pumpkin Jack: where a pumpkin is allowed to decompose and then regrow; cooking experiences like: making muffins that fail which reinforce following directions plus so much more.
Music – Students receive music lessons created specifically for early childhood experiences. PS 3 and PK participate in a Christmas Service where they tell the story of Jesus’ birth and are provided additional opportunities to share their musical gifts and talents. PK together with Kindergarten make up the Lambs’ Choir.
Art – Each week early childhood students enjoy the opportunity to explore different art styles and mediums through process based art lessons based on the classics. These lessons cultivate a love for creativity.
Outdoor play is important to the development of a child’s well being. Each day children are provided with multiple opportunities, weather permitting, for outdoor play on a developmentally appropriate playgrounds. When indoors, children can have large motor play in our recently refurbished gymnasium.
Caren Bunch
Director
ecdirector@stjameslaf.org
800 Cincinnati St, Lafayette IN 47901
Phone Number: 765-423-1616 ext 126