Bethlehem Lutheran Preschool
Directors: Pat Cline and Denise Corns

History and Information
School District: Eastwood Local Schools
Bethlehem Lutheran Preschool began in 1985.
It is owned by the Parish Education Committee of the church.

Enrollment

  • Church members have priority during the month of February.
  • Enrollment open to the public on March 1st.
  • Age range of children: Ages 3, 4, & 5
  • Children need to be age 3 or 4 by August 1.

    Classes

  • 3-year-old class meets Tuesdays & Thursdays
  • 4-year-old class meets on Mondays, Wednesdays & Friday
  • Morning classes are from 9 am-11:30 am
  • Afternoon classes from Noon-2:30 pm
  • One time supply fee is due the first month of school.
  • The registration fee holds your child's place in the class.
  • Please call (419-287-4182) for current tuition prices.

    Licensing

  • Bethlehem Lutheran Preschool is licensed by the Department of Human Services. Bethlehem Lutheran Preschool is licensed for a capacity of 24 part-time preschool children and 7 part-time school-age children. The staff-child ratio will not exceed 1:12. Information about the laws and rules governing child day care is available upon request.
  • The Department of Human Services' toll free number is 1-800-686-1581. If you suspect a violation, please contact them.The preschool's licensing record including compliance report forms and evaluation forms from the health, building and fire departments are available upon request from the department.
  • Rosters of the names and telephone numbers of the parents or guardians attending the school are available upon request. The rosters will not include any information that parents request to be withheld.
  • Any parent, guardian, or custodian of a child shall be permitted unlimited access to the preschool during its hours of operation for the purpose of contacting their children, evaluating the care provided, or evaluating the premises.
  • It is unlawful to discriminate in the enrollment of children upon the basis of race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.

    School's Role & Mission

  • Bethlehem's preschool is a Christian preschool which has been in existence for over 20 years.
  • It is the school's philosophy that each child develops at his or her own rate.
  • The school prepares children for Kindergarten in both socialization and academic areas.
  • The teachers work with the Eastwood school staff at Kindergarten round up time.

    Goals of the Program
    1) To develop the child's confidence and self-esteem so they feel good about him/herself and what he/she is able to do.
    2) To help the child feel very good about being a part of God's family - a precious child of God.
    3) To challenge the child's creativity.
    4) To encourage the child's curiosity.
    5) To realize that all that we have is a gift from God and that we must do our part to take care of each other and His world.
    6) To learn to treat others with respect and kindness.
    7) To work on many preschool skills: letters, colors, numbers, cutting, coloring, zipping, etc.
    8) To sing, laugh, share and enjoy being in a Christian community.

    These goals might seem broad and all-encompassing, but they have been carefully considered in the curriculum and in daily plans.

    Each week there is a special theme that will be introduced and the children will work with a specific skill. This will not take away from what they will learn in kindergarten but, rather, hopefully will help the children begin school with confidence.

    The preschool will take regular and varied field trips (usually once a month).

    Daily Schedule
    The Daily Schedule will vary from day to day, but basically will include the following:

    9:00-9:30 am = Free play - the children may choose from a variety of play activities in the room.
    9:30-10:05 am = Puppet Show (to introduce theme of the day or a special theme), singing and sharing time.
    10:05-10:20 am = Snack (nutritional daily snacks are usually provided by the parents).
    10:20-11:25 am = Individual Group Activities - which will include:

  • Lesson and activities to enhance creativity and help the children understand their world
  • Learn, practice and "play with" preschool skills
  • Large motor activities
  • Craft/art activity
    11:25-11:30 am = Storytime

    The teachers/directors are committed to working with the children in small groups. This allows them to work closely with each child. Even though the classes may be large, the children spend most of their time in groups of about eight. This is the only way to not neglect the needs of any child.

    The classes are very "busy" and packed full of a wide and comprehensive variety of activities. However, the teachers do not in ANY way pressure or force a child. They share with the children lots of exciting things and the children "catch" what they are ready for.

    This is a wholesome approach to preschool learning. The teachers are thrilled with all the things the children "catch".

    The most important thing to the preschool is the way the children feel about themselves and the way they treat each other. They work very hard to share positive attitudes with the children. This is the content that remains constant with each day's plan.

    Parental Involvement
    Parents are asked to be involved in the program in the following ways:
    1. Providing necessary information about your child.
    2. Occasionally providing the snack for the children.
    3. Occasionally accompanying the class on field trips if possible.
    4. Helping with the special events and projects if possible.
    5. Feeling free to stop in and visit or help at any time.
    6. Talking with your child and giving him/her a chance to share his/her experiences.
    7. Staff members are always available if you wish to share comments, suggestions and/or concerns.
    8. Teachers will have regular conferences with parents during the year.

    Arrival/Departure Procedures

  • Children will be brought to the classroom by an adult (either a parent or a person designated by the parent).
  • The teachers will assume responsibility until the class period is over.
  • The child will be dismissed to the parent or the parent's designee as listed on the enrollment form and/or as requested by the parent. The child will remain in the preschool until someone arrives to pick him/her up.

    Poem: Butterfly
    A child is a butterfly in the wind.
    Some can fly higher than others:
    But each one flies the best way it can.
    Why compare one against the other?
    Each one is different!
    Each one is special!
    Each one is beautiful!

    • Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church | 419-287-4182 | 220 Cedar St | PO Box 344 | Pemberville, Ohio 43450
    Welcoming, Worshipping, Working as a faithful people to make Christ known.
    bethlehempemberville.org