Philosophy

It is our goal to capture the attention and imagination of children in a God-honoring way guiding them to be devoted disciples of Jesus Christ.

EPIPHANY PRESCHOOL was founded on the belief that a play-based program (interacting with the environment and with others), which integrates a Christ-centered, character education curriculum will allow children to develop to the full potential that God has planned for them. 

Epiphany Preschool provides a nurturing environment where children know that they are loved by God and by their teachers through the acceptance and encouragement they receive at school.

The environment and activities will be appropriate to the developmental abilities of the children. Epiphany’s Christ-centered, character-based curriculum focuses on the traditional Christian values of compassion, respect, caring, responsibility, patience, perseverance, self-control and responsibility.  Through play-based activities, children gain confidence in their abilities as they learn to integrate these essential character traits into their lives and interactions with other children. 

Materials will be arranged to allow children to work independently and in small groups.  Teachers will encourage the children to use the materials to try out their new ideas and problem solving methods, recognizing that the process is more important than the product.

Activities will be provided to develop cognitive, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual knowledge and skills.

Daily schedules will have a balance of quiet and active times, structured and unstructured times.

Snapshot of Our Program

Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for all students

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a Montessori-based religious formation experience for children based on the belief that young children can and do experience God. The aim of the program is to create an environment that supports children’s spiritual development. The Gospel is proclaimed through age-appropriate parable lessons, stories of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, prayers, music, sacred art and liturgical events. Hands-on materials are used to help children reflect on the great mysteries of our faith.

The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is not new. It began in Rome in 1954 with the foundational work of two women, Catholic biblical scholar Sofia Cavalletti and her collaborator, Gianna Gobbi, a Montessori educator. Today, the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is used in 15 countries throughout the world. It has been in the United States since 1983.

The catechesis is held in an "atrium," a classroom prepared especially for children to encourage the relationship between God and the child to flourish. Shelves around the room are filled with materials designed to facilitate the child’s spiritual development. Lessons include maps of Israel, parables Jesus told, historical events from Scripture, liturgical colors and calendars, as well as objects from Holy Eucharist and the Rite of Baptism. Art supplies and musical instruments allow the children to express themselves through picture and song. Very young children are given the opportunity to practice pouring activities to aid their concentration for future lessons. Children learn to take care of their environment. Tools for cleaning, plant care, flower arranging, and brass and silver polishing are provided as ways for children to regularly care for the atrium.

In addition to offering the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program we will also offer the following:

Parent’s Day Out

2-5 year old Program

The Parent's Day Out program is a weekday ministry of Epiphany Preschool.   Parent's Day Out offers community child care in an accepting and affectionate Christian atmosphere.  Our teachers are loving, Christian women who have a heart for children.  Our program is designed to stimulate children’s growth socially, mentally, physically and spiritually through playtime, bible stories, singing, and craft time.

2.5-4 year old Program

A primary goal in our 2.5-4 year-olds classes is to help children have a positive first experience in school. We provide a loving atmosphere where children are encouraged to explore and discover the world around them to help them make a successful transition from home to school. Part of the transition to school means learning to share and cooperate with new friends. Christian-based character traits such as caring, compassion, respect, self-control, perseverance, patience, thankfulness, and responsibility are incorporated into hands-on learning activities.  Language is growing by leaps and bounds at this age and much time is spent helping the children express their thoughts, ideas, and feelings.   The children are very busy trying on “dress-ups”, brushing colors on easel paper, squeezing play dough, stacking blocks, putting puzzles together, digging in sand and water tables, singing songs and listening to stories. 

4-5 year old Program

Our 4-5 year-olds are involved in a wide variety of group and individual activities. Four year-olds expand their problem solving abilities, grasp of language, and memory and listening skills, while enjoying relationships with classmates. There will be a full year of activities to help the children strengthen their small muscles needed for writing, understand and follow directions, learn to count objects up to 20, use positional words (up, down, etc.), and grow in their ability to focus during group times.  During the year, we continue focusing on the important character traits learned in the 3-year old classroom.  Also, research shows that focusing on literacy during the preschool years is crucial to the successful development of reading and writing skills in elementary school.  Literacy is a large component of our program.  Felt boards, story cards, and puppets allow children to retell stories learned in class. Rhymes and songs are used to help children develop phonemic awareness.  Children are offered many opportunities to practice writing and are surrounded by books.  The alphabet is learned through fun songs where the children will learn the sounds associated with each letter.  Circle time stories and finger plays, center time “hands-on” learning experiences and creative movement are all part of the 4-5 year olds' preschool experience. 

Sample Unit

Each month we will take a theme and present it to the children. To see an example of our curriculum, click here: Boxes Unit