
St. Michael Preschool Registration
2023-2024 Registration Newsletter
Jesus said, "Let the Little Children Come to Me..." Matthew 19:14
Dear Parents,
Welcome to St. Michael Preschool where we have been offering families a faith-filled quality early childhood education for over 39 years. Our mission is to provide a safe and loving environment where the development of the whole child and the joy of learning is nurtured through socialization and play as we grow in our love of Jesus. As an important ministry of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church, spiritual enrichment is recognized as an essential part of learning. Here, children can discover the inherent goodness in all that they are and how God is a part of their everyday lives. Participation in our preschool offers families many opportunities to build and strengthen ties with each other and the parish community.
In this newsletter, you will find an overview of our preschool programs as well as dates and information about our application process and upcoming Open House opportunities.
The teachers and I hope to see your family join us for a wonderful year of "Growing with God." If you should have any questions, please email or call. Thank you, and God bless!
Joyfully in Christ,
Lisa Ciesla, Director
SEE WHY FAMILIES LOVE US!
PRESCHOOL FACULTY & STAFF
The St. Michael Preschool teachers and staff are thrilled to welcome your family to our preschool community. We look forward to a joyful and rewarding school year filled with love, learning, friendship, and fun!
St. Michael Preschool offers half-day programs for children ages 2-5. Each class has a lead teacher and teacher assistant. Lead Teachers have an education degree or are certified with an early childhood credential. Staff members receive first aid and CPR training and take continuing education classes yearly.
Preschool Virtual Tour
Preschool Open House Dates
Please join us for one of our Preschool Open House dates where you will have the opportunity to hear all about our programming, and the registration process and take a peek into some of our classrooms. If you plan to attend please RSVP using this RSVP Link.
Open House Dates:
January 27 - 1:00 pm
PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
Our programs offer a developmentally appropriate curriculum for children ages 2-5, designed to enhance the spiritual, social, emotional, physical, and intellectual growth of each child. At St. Michael Preschool, “play is the work of children,” a philosophy supported by leading early childhood researchers. Children participate in hands-on learning activities that engage their curiosity while helping them build self-confidence and learning readiness skills in a fun and safe Catholic community. Faith development, language and literacy, creative expression, music and movement, math, science, as well as fine and gross motor skills are all included in the daily activities.
In addition to regular classroom activities and outdoor play, the children attend music and movement 1-2 days a week, Church Mornings, and Bible stories led by our priests and deacons. A variety of in-house field trips occur throughout the year in order to bring the community to the children as well as provide enrichment in the cultural arts.
TWO-YEAR-OLD – Two Day (T/TH) or Three Day (M/W/F):
The 2’s program offers an opportunity for parents to have time away while their children play and socialize in a safe caring environment. Activities are developmentally appropriate and include building gross motor skills and music and movement.
THREE-YEAR-OLD – Two Day (T/TH), Three Day (M/W/F), or Four Day (M-TH):
In the 3’s program, children build their self-esteem and self-confidence while they learn through play. Teachers promote socialization and encourage imaginative, independent, and cooperative play. These activities are enriched with music and stories to learn shapes, colors, and counting while also developing fine and gross motor skills.
FOUR-YEAR-OLD–Four Day (M-TH) or Five Day (M-F):
The 4’s program consists of an array of thematic units that teach kindergarten readiness skills in a fun, rewarding, and age-appropriate way. Children are encouraged to look for peer relationships, play cooperatively, explore, create, and contribute to group activities. A multi-sensory handwriting approach is utilized and continued development of fine and gross motor skills are integrated.
FIVE-YEAR-OLD/TRANSITIONAL KINDERGARTEN - Five Day (M-F):
This program offers a “kinder, gentler” approach for children who would benefit from an extra year to grow before entering a full-day kindergarten. Readiness to learn and question, interest in pretend play, construction and simple games, and utilization of the children’s developing sense of responsibility are all cultivated through this curriculum.
DISCOVERY DAY FRIDAYS
If your child just can’t get enough preschool fun, and loves to learn, explore, and experience all preschool has to offer, Discovery Day is the program for them!
Discovery Days are thematic-based units designed to reinforce your child’s love of learning. We encourage students to wonder, explore, problem-solve, and most of all, have fun! The thematic activities will focus on literacy, art, religion, music, math, and science. Teachers will provide an outline of each class including concepts, vocabulary, and discussion questions so there can be a carryover from school to home.
The program runs from October through May and is open to children ages 3-5. If seats still remain in January, two-year-olds may apply.
EXTENDED DAY PROGRAMS
EARLY ARRIVAL
This program is available for all enrolled children Monday through Friday beginning at 8:15 am. Please note that breakfast is not served. Students will split their time between the classroom and the playground. Children are escorted to their regular classrooms at 9:15 am.
LUNCH PROGRAM
A lunch program is offered for children in the 3, 4, and 5-year-old classes. Children stay from 12:30-1:30 pm on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Students will bring a peanut/nut-free lunch, and weather permitting, will go outside on the playground.
ADVENTURE CAMPS
Adventure Camps are offered once a month, from 12:30 – 2:00 pm. It is offered to all students in a 3, 4, and 5-year-old program. Students will bring a peanut/nut-free lunch, and after eating, will explore, create, and investigate based on the theme for the day.
School Hours: 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
Early Arrival Begins: 8:15 am
Lunch Program: 12:30 – 1:30 pm
Adventure Camp: 12:30 – 2:00 pm
Extended Day Program Fees
Early Arrival OR Lunch Monthly Commitment Discounted Rate – $7.00 / per program
Early Arrival OR Lunch Daily Drop-in Rate – $8.00 / per program
Adventure Camp Rate – $15.00 / per session
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Ages 2 - 4 by August 31
Age 5 by October 31
Children in our three, four, and five-year-old programs must be independently toilet trained. NO EXCEPTIONS. Neither pull-ups nor diapers are permitted.
WHAT IT MEANS TO BE INDEPENDENTLY POTTY TRAINED
The director reserves the right to extend the cut-off date for all programs.
TUITION RATES
St. Michael Preschool offers a quality, faith-filled early childhood education while running a balanced budget, not-for-profit program. The preschool tuition rate changes reflect the increase in our service, plant, and operations fees for next year. We also maintain a commitment to our experienced and dedicated teachers by providing them with a cost-of-living adjustment. These changes were the result of thoughtful discussion and collaboration with our pastor, Fr. Michael Burbeck, and the St. Michael Church Finance Council. We thank you for your continued support of our parish preschool.
CATHOLIC STEWARD TUITION RATE
The Catholic Steward Tuition Rate applications are available to Catholic families who demonstrate stewardship by regularly attending Sunday Mass and serving in the community through the gifts of time, talent, and treasure.
Applications are accepted from St. Michael the Archangel Church families applying for the Stewardship Tuition Rate at the following schools: St. Michael Preschool, St. Michael School, Cardinal Gibbons High School, and other Catholic schools in our area. The Catholic Steward Tuition Rate is granted by St. Michael Church. CLICK HERE for more information on the stewardship criteria and how to apply.
APPLY FOR PRESCHOOL
St Michael Preschool applications will be accepted from January 15- January 31. Priority is given to Returning Students, St. Michael Parishioners, and Parishioners of other Catholic Parishes.
Applications are accepted online with a non-refundable registration fee of $135, plus the first month's tuition.
In May, enrolled families will receive student orientation information and the school calendar. Class lists and Extended Day Program registration will be made available in August. Your second tuition payment will be due on September 5, 2023.
WAITLIST
Enrollment in any program for which there are more applications than spaces is determined by a lottery. When all spaces in a program are filled, children’s names will be placed on a waitlist.
- Children whose parents are parishioners of St. Michael will be given priority.
- Waitlists do not carry over from year to year. You must reapply annually.
REQUEST FOR TEACHERS
A great deal of thought and planning goes into forming classes. Teacher recommendations for the placement of children for social and/or developmental reasons have top priority. Therefore, requests to place children with specific teachers cannot be honored while considering the best interests of all the children. Finally, it is our policy to consult parents of same age siblings regarding their wishes to have the children placed together or separated.
WITHDRAWAL
Unless tuition is paid in full, tuition payments are non-refundable once the school year starts. However, if a family is moving out of the area and preschool has not begun, one-half of the first tuition payment will be refunded if the seat can be filled from our waitlist. Notice of withdrawal must be in writing. If a child is withdrawn during the school year without 30 days' written notice, parents are responsible for paying an additional monthly tuition payment.
ALLERGY SENSITIVE PRESCHOOL
To maintain a safe environment for children with life-threatening allergies, snacks or lunches may not contain peanuts/nuts or peanut/nut products. This includes foods that have been produced in a plant with nut products. Please carefully read the labels on the food you send in.
PLEASE FOLLOW US ON…
Twitter: @stmpreschoolnc
Instagram: @stmpreschoolnc
ABOUT US
Email: preschool@stmcary.org
Website: https://stmichaelpreschool.com/
Location: 804 High House Road, Cary, NC, USA
Phone: 919-468-6110
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stmichael.preschool.16
Twitter: @stmpreschoolnc