Preschool Overview
Abiding Word Lutheran Preschool Education exists to teach little children about Jesus and his world, leading them to grow in mind, body, and soul.
Programs Overview
Abiding Word offers a holistic, multi-age prekindergarten program. Children in Pre-3 and Pre-K 4 are taught in a mixed-age classroom environment that balances academic knowledge with social-emotional skills. This is done through meaningful interactions with adults and peers, explicit instruction, large and small group activities, and indoor and outdoor play. All of our activities and interactions strive to show children Christ and prepare them for a life of Christian service. We are accredited through the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission, National Council of Private School Accreditation, and WELS School Accreditation.
Our Preschool program operates during the traditional school year Monday through Friday from 8:00-3:30 pm. We have 3 or 5 day program options available. Extended Care is also offered from 7:00-7:45 am and 3:30-6:00 pm.
Philosophy
The purpose of early childhood education is to develop the whole child through a variety of experiences. A child needs a safe and warm environment to actively learn, play and create. A child centered classroom acts as a third teacher, allowing the child to explore and learn through play. The teacher is a facilitator of learning as he/she works to create activities and an environment that allows a child to develop cognitively, emotionally, socially, physically, and most importantly spiritually. Through family and teacher communication and effort, we work so each child can reach his or her fullest potential as a learner and a person.
Curriculum
God’s word is taught through weekly bible stories and chapel services using the Christ-light curriculum. Children engage in learning studies through the Creative Curriculum that support their social-emotional, physical, language, and cognitive development. These studies are based on children’s interests and develop children’s processing skills, including observing, exploring, connecting, and problem-solving. Our literacy program is based on the research of learning to read (science of reading), where children build a strong literacy foundation through explicit instruction in letter knowledge and phonemic awareness (sounds in words). Learning and growth are documented through the Creative Curriculum’s developmental continuum. Learning is communicated through daily notes, pictures, parent-teacher conferences, and semester reports.
Facilities and Class Size
Our building is secured with keypad entry and we have two fenced-in outdoor playgrounds available. We have one class of three and four year olds. Children starting the school year as a three year old will attend the PreK for 2 school years. Children starting the school year as a four year old will be eligible for Kindergarten the following school year. This mixed age classroom benefits both the older and younger students by allowing children to learn at their own pace and provide opportunities for peer mentorship.
We pride ourselves on low teacher to child ratios and enroll children throughout the year on a space-available basis. This helps us to provide personalized support to each child and family. We follow the most stringent of regulations for teacher-to-student ratios based on the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Only in the event of an emergency will we deviate from these ratios, never exceeding the State of Texas’ Minimum Standard Regulations.
Weekly Chapel and Worship Participation
Weekly chapel services are held on Fridays in the church sanctuary. This is an opportunity for the children, faculty, and parents to gather together for worship, singing, and prayer. Chapel offerings are used to support mission projects in the United States and around the world. You are under no obligation to send an offering with your child, but may do so as your heart desires (2 Corinthians 9:7).
PreK children are given the opportunity to sing in our Sunday morning church services throughout the school year.
Extracurricular Activities
All children have a music class once a week and sing each day in their classrooms. We love having fun with music and praising our Savior. Once a week the children participate in an age-appropriate P.E. class and play outside on their playground daily. We also offer soccer from Soccer Shots.
