New Preschool Families

"Preschool at Prince of Peace has been a blessing to our family. My son went through the program and my daughter is currently in the 4's program. Mrs. Hoffman, Mrs. Weiss, and Mrs. Mantas work together to create a safe, fun, and happy learning environment where our children can learn about God, themselves, and the world around them. The children are met at their current developmental levels and encouraged to stretch their curiosity and abilities with age-appropriate, hands-on learning opportunities. Preschool at Prince of Peace helps establish in the children a firm moral foundation, a love of learning, and an excitement of school that will help guide them throughout their education."

 

Welcome to Prince of Peace Preschool

Our preschool is dedicated to serving the needs of young children in a fun, creative and safe Catholic environment. We offer the children a wide variety of materials and activities with the goal of nurturing each child's faith, character and academic readiness. Students are involved in both teacher-guided and self-directed activities in a loving, structured and child-centered environment.

At the preschool level,  most of a child's learning comes from play. As children engage in dramatic play, they are gaining information about home, family and peer relations. As they cut, draw and work with play-dough, they are developing the use of arm, hand and finger muscles that they will later use in handwriting. As children work with blocks to create houses and buildings, they are learning to consider size, proportion, balance and number. Early experiences help a child develop an interest in the learning process, a willingness to attempt new things and a proper sense of independence. Young children learn actively from their interactions with each other and their environment. Our preschool curriculum is designed to provide the children with a variety of learning experiences.

Faith and Character Development

Our religion program and character development focuses on enabling preschool children to develop a sense of self-worth by teaching them that God made them and loves them. Our faith-based model incorporates prayer throughout our day, and we have special weekly prayer time in church where the students get to listen to a Bible story with one of our pastoral staff. Cooperative, respectful behavior is demonstrated and encouraged. We dislpay concern and empathy for the well-being of other people's bodies and hearts. These goals are reinforced through activities like song, crafts, dramatic play, centers and literature.

Academic Readiness

Teachers will work with students in a variety of mutli-sensory ways to develop pre-reading, writing, and math skills. They also promote problem-solving strategies, expand logical thinking and verbal communications skills, encourage a sense of wonder and discovery, and help them understand concepts relative to the world around them. Additionally, students will receive designated music, physical education and Spanish instruction.

Preschool Three Program

• 2 days: Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30 to 11:30 or all day from 8:30 to 2:15
• 3 days: Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8:30 to 11:30 or all day from 8:30 to 2:15
• 5 days: Monday through Friday mornings from 8:30 to 11:30 or all day from 8:30 to 2:15

Preschool Four Program

• 3 days: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings from 8:30 to 11:30 or all day from 8:30 to 2:15
• 5 days: Monday through Friday mornings from 8:30 to 11:30 or all day from 8:30 to 2:15

Additional Information

• Our Extended Day Program is available for both before school from 7:30 to 8:30 and after school from 2:15 to 6:00 for an additional fee
• Hot lunch is available for students in the all day program for an additional fee

Entrance age requirements are according to the Chicago Archdiocesan policy for preschool:
• Three year olds must be three on or before September 1 of the enrolling year.
• Four year olds must be four on or before September 1 of the enrolling year.
All children must be potty-trained.

When registering a child for the first time at Prince of Peace Catholic School, a birth certificate with the registration number on it is required.