Preschool and 5-Year Old Preschool

THE ARK Preschool is an outreach program of Community Church: A United Methodist Congregation in Harrison City.  It is designed to serve interested families in the surrounding area.  THE ARK Ministry Council and staff members work together to ensure the highest quality program exists for your child.

THE ARK Preschool will foster your child’s development by providing an environment where children are encouraged to express themselves, be creative, make choices and develop a sense of independence and personal worth.

THE ARK Preschool Philosophy:  We are a “developmentally appropriate” Preschool, which was designed after the Carnegie Mellon University Preschool.  “Developmentally appropriate” describes an approach to teaching that respects both the age and the individual needs of each child.  We look at the “whole child”, including intellectual, social, emotional, physical and creative growth.  Every child develops at his own rate.  As teachers we use this information to carefully plan activities that are not too simple or too difficult, but are designed to help each child learn and grow.

“Developmentally appropriate” activities are open-ended so children at different developmental levels can participate with equal success.  Young children understand things when they use or experience them directly.  They learn more through play than any other way, as it encourages self-expression, problem solving, creativity and a way to test new ideas.  We enhance learning by offering many hands-on activities.

  Specific Goals Include:

• To be an adjustment stage between the children’s early years at home with parents and the beginning of formal education.
• To meet each child’s needs according to his/her own growth patterns and rates.
• To help children learn and develop socially, emotionally, academically and physically.
• To provide a calm, orderly and organized atmosphere that is filled with stimulating objects and activities chosen to encourage discovery and learning.

THE ARK Preschool staff believes that in a constantly changing society where many caretakers may be involved in a child’s life, the need for consistency and continuity are very important.  Our Preschool is designed as a full school year program.  This allows the teachers to become familiar with each child’s strengths and weaknesses.  The children make close friendships and look forward to the daily routine.  We believe children learn better when they feel secure in their surroundings.

THE ARK Preschool teachers have designed a two-year curriculum.  This unique curriculum integrates activities which foster continuous growth and development.  Basic skills are taught using themes that appeal to young children.  This two-year design provides you with the opportunity to enroll your child for a second year in our program. 

The  Preschool is designed to meet needs of children who are three and a half, four and five years of age.  Our unique classroom environment combines children ranging from 3 1/2 to 5 years old in the same classroom, allowing children to obtain advanced skills through peer learning.  Our students benefit from multiple teaching styles, as our teachers rotate through various roles, exposing your child to many different teaching and learning styles.  Our developmentally appropriate teaching style allows each child to develop at his/her individual rate, regardless of age.  Letters, numbers, writing, speaking and small and large muscle activities are presented through the various teacher directed centers.  Listening skills are stressed during circle time, singing and story time. 

Our 5-Year Old class is available to meet the needs of children who are eligible, but not attending kindergarten.  Your child must be 5 years old by Sept 1st in order to qualify for this class. Please note: Occasionally, children with September or October birthdays, who have already had preschool experience, are considered for the 5-Year Old class.   Acceptance into the class is based on prior preschool experience, parent agreement and teacher approval.  Acceptance into the 5 –Year Old class will be confirmed at the beginning of the school year.  This class will be limited to sixteen children and is an afternoon session only.

Enrollment

THE ARK Preschool is designed to meet the needs of children who are between 3½ and 5 years of age.  Your child must be at least 3 years old as of March 1st to be eligible for the following school year.  Children will attend three sessions per week.

AM Session - Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 9:00A.M. to 11:30A.M.
PM Session - Monday, Wednesday and Friday - 12:30 P.M. to 3:00 P.M.

The student/teacher ratio will not exceed one teacher for every eight children.

 Registration for the next school year occurs in early February.  A $30.00 registration fee will be required and is refundable only if we are unable to provide a space for your child.   Our classes fill quickly, so please contact our registrar at 724-744-3413 extension 150 to enroll your child.  A registration form is also available online for you to print out and mail in along with your registration fee.  When classes are full, your child will be placed on a waiting list and contacted when there is a vacancy.

Tuition

The current tuition rate for the Preschool and the 5-Year-Old programs can be obtained by contacting the registrar at 724-744-3413 extension 150.  We ask that all tuition payments be made prior to the first of each month.  Your first month’s tuition will be due the night of Parent Orientation.  Tuition payments may be placed in the Parent Box located in Fellowship Hall or may be mailed to the church.  Checks should be made payable to CUMC-THE ARK.  If you anticipate any difficulties with monthly payments, please contact THE ARK Ministries Treasurer at 724-744-3413.

Click here to obtain the current tuition rate for Preschool.
Click here to obtain the current tuition rate for 5 Year-Old.

ARK Preschool Staff

All four of our teachers have earned Bachelor of Education degrees and bring a wealth of knowledge and creativity to our program.  We also have two qualified aides that provide a loving and comfortable environment.  Our teachers have a combined total of over 50 years with THE ARK.  The children will have the opportunity to interact daily with the entire Preschool staff.

School Closings

THE ARK Preschool follows the Penn-Trafford School District Calendar.  School closings and delays, due to inclement weather, will be announced on radio and TV.  We abide by Penn-Trafford’s decision.  In the event of a morning delay in Penn-Trafford our modified schedule is as follows:

AM SESSION – 11:00AM TO 12:30PM
PM SESSION –   1:30PM TO   3:00PM 

On early dismissal days, our modified schedule will be:

AM SESSION –   9:00AM TO 10:30AM
PM SESSION –  11:30AM TO   1:00PM

On rare occasions Preschool may need to be cancelled because of church events.  A notice will be placed in your child’s cubby and posted on a bulletin board near your child’s room.

Parents Involvement

THE ARK Preschool maintains an “open door” policy.  We welcome you into our classroom at any time.  Parents are always encouraged to participate in our celebrations ranging from visitors from the community to several field trips to three special holiday parties and our end of the year carnival. 

We have an open door policy and welcome visitors to observe our classrooms. The teachers will be available to answer questions for a few moments after each session. If you need additional time to ask questions, arrangements can be made by contacting the registrar at 724-744-3413 extension 150.

FAQs