Holy Family Academy Early Childhood Program Grows 50%
Begun just a few years ago with 40 students, Holy Family Academy is approaching an enrollment of 150 students in its innovative preschool. Asked about this phenomenal growth, Holy Family's principal, Dr. Gretchen Ludwig, states, “As a progressive 21st century school, we pride ourselves on listening to our parents and responding with programs that meet their needs.”
Education, particularly early childhood education, cannot be a static program. Economic conditions and demographics within the northwest suburbs indicate that more families are looking for a variety of options when it comes to introducing their children to their first educational experience. A case in point is Holy Family's offering of a full-day, 4-year-old preschool program. “We have had a great response to this program which we will be offering for the first time next year, states preschool teacher Joy Micheletto. “Our full-day option extends learning time and includes a wide-range of activities to reinforce and enrich the morning learning. Small group opportunities and time for one-to-one instruction allow the teachers to employ different strategies for skill development.”
Holy Family Academy also believes that the environment for early childhood learning is critical to the success of the young student. The American Academy of Pediatricians encourages parents to look at preschool settings that offer more than academic preparedness. Kenneth R. Ginsburg, MD, MSEd states that parents should also pay attention to settings that meet the social and emotional developmental needs of their children. “Our warm and welcoming environment is a critical component in preparing young children for their journey as life-long learners”, states Margaret Giagnorio, Holy Family's 2-year-old junior preschool teacher. “Our entire early childhood staff believes that it is important that children feel safe and nurtured in their first experience at school.” This is another reason that Holy Family will be offering an extended-day option for 3-year-old and 4-year-old students.
Observing that working parents were making arrangements for their children to be picked up from preschool and continue their child care elsewhere, Holy Family Academy decided to offer quality preschool childcare after their morning classes. “Children can stay with us in a warm and caring environment from noon to 6pm or anytime in between,” says Dr. Ludwig. We think this will be not only helpful to our working parents, but to all busy parents looking for quality daytime care to attend to other children, doctor's appointments or other scheduling conflicts. Says Andrea Farrell, mother of 3, “I'm delighted to know that my preschooler can stay at school while I volunteer in my other children's classrooms or take care of other family matters.”
Another draw to Holy Family Academy's preschool has been their focus on learning through play. Just as inquiry based learning is the hallmark for educating students in Holy Family Academy's elementary and middle school programs, play is the focus in teaching the preschool set. Sandy Maiorano and Carol Allar, veteran early childhood educators and pre-kindergarten teachers at Holy Family, believe that young children learn best in an environment that allows them to explore, discover and play. Likewise, Sue Roer, also at Holy Family, sees play as the primary way in which young children can practice what they have learned in other settings or actually learn new knowledge. “We see play as a means to enhance social skills, language and cognitive development.”
In closing, Dr. Ludwig states “Early childhood learning is about play, plus so much more. Real learning of the heart and mind is taking place. Through much hard work and dedication, Holy Family's pre-school teachers model for our youngest students that learning is fun!"
For more information contact datkins@holyfamilyparish.org or visit www.holyfamlycatholicacademy.net