Hope Christian Preschool

Welcome

Our mission is to provide a God-centered education in a secure setting, in a space designed just for kids.

We are glad you are here! Please take a virtual tour (scroll down) and then read more about our preschool. Many of your questions can be answered in the “Learn More About Our Preschool” section below. Everyone is always welcome to come on Sunday mornings, starting at 9:15!

Spring Open House

May 5th from 11 am – 2:30 pm

Come visit us! Tours are available for non-registered families.

Quick Links

Our Programs

Toddler Time

This parent/child class will focus on fostering connections between caregiver and child while helping each child reach their developmental milestones in a fun and loving environment.

With two age groups, Mini-Toddler (ages 6 mo – 15 mo) and Toddler(ages 16 mo – 28 mo), each class is tailored specifically for your child’s current developmental stage. Using gross and fine motor activities, sensory exploration, movement, and music, your little one will explore their world while growing their social and language skills. Grownups may learn a lot too!

Classes run in once-a-week classes for 6-week sessions. You can register for as many sessions as you like.

Toddler Time registration will return in the fall! Set a reminder to come back here in September!

Twos

Two-year-olds go through so much growth this year – from learning to express and gain control of their emotions to playing with friends, to big motor-skill gains. Through the use of music, art, games, and reading time your two-year-old will advance in their skills this year.

To begin our Twos classes, your child must turn 2 before August 1st of the current school year.

Scroll down to learn more about our school.

Threes

Three-year-old students are advancing in their development. Their social and language skills are expanding rapidly, they begin to remember 2-3 step instructions, and fine motor begins to develop. Independent play progresses to parallel and group play.

We have 2 types of 3-year-old classes:

2-day classes (T, Th) for younger children who turn three between August 2 and December 1 of the current school year.
3-day classes (M, W, F) for children who turn three before August 1 of the school year. 3-day class students must be potty trained.

Fours

At this age, children are starting to understand other people’s feelings. Your 4- to 5-year-old should be better able to work through conflicts and control their emotions. They are growing in more complex large motor and fine motor skills and independence. Throughout the year, our experienced staff will lead them toward kindergarten readiness.

We have two types of Fours classes:

Three-day Fours are M, W, F classes. These children must be 4 by December 1st of the current school year.
We also offer a 5-day class for older children who are not old enough for kindergarten, or who might need extra time before kindergarten. These children must be 4 by August 1st of the current school year.

Take a Virtual Tour

We encourage you to watch this quick video to see our facilities and read more about our preschool below. Many of your questions can be answered using the information below. If you still have questions, email kelliehudson@sharethehope.org.

Note: We no longer require masking. We do follow local health department guidelines.

Learn More About Our Preschool

About Hope Christian Preschool

Since its beginning in 1962, Hope Christian Preschool has been committed to serving the needs of the families in our community. Our academic curriculum meets the core competency guidelines for New York State Preschools. The teaching staff consists of well-qualified professionals with college degrees and/or equivalent classroom experience who will gently guide your child through the stages of learning. Teachers also have child safety, first aid and CPR training.

Our school year runs from September to early June.

Click here to take a video see our facilities. (Note: We no longer require masking. We do follow local health department guidelines.)

Our Classes

Our Christian based curriculum teaches the children the most important message - Jesus loves them!

All classes are 2.5 hours.

All class times are 9:00-11:30 AM or 9:15-11:45 AM.

A school orientation/meet the teacher is held for all incoming families in early September. Tours prior to enrollment are virtual as to not disrupt classes in session. Please see the virtual tour on this webpage.

Also please join us for one of our open to the community events. Keep an eye on upcoming events on this page for details.

THREES

Two-day Threes

Must be 3 by December 1^st
Classes are on Tuesday/Thursday.
Diapers are not accepted for this age level.
Staff cannot change a soiled pull up as there are no changing stations in the 3 and 4 year old bathrooms. A parent or guardian will be called for soiled pull-ups. The child can be changed using facilities within the building and the child can return to class.
Children in this class tend to be the younger 3 year olds, some with fall 3 year old birthdays. Pull up are accepted. However, the child must be independent in the bathroom and able to step in and out of a wet pull up. There should be some interest in using a toilet.

Three-day Threes

Must be 3 by August 1^st
Classes are on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Children in this class are fully toilet trained and independent in the bathroom. No diapers or pull ups are accepted

FOURS

Three-day Fours

Must be 4 by December 1^st
Classes are Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Children in this class tend to be the younger 4 year olds or are turning 4 by December 1, fully toilet trained and independent in the bathroom.
No diapers or pull ups are accepted.
Children will be exposed to and engage in tasks and projects involving the core competencies for preparation for Kindergarten.

Five-day Older Fours

Must be 4 by August 1^st.
Children must be fully toilet trained and independent in the bathroom.
No diapers or pull ups are accepted.
Classes are Monday – Friday.
This class is geared towards children who are taking advantage of the ‘gift of another year’ of preschool by delaying Kindergarten one year, or 4 year olds with birthdays early in the calendar year.
The 4 year old Pre-K core competences are the same as the 3 day Fours, but the class has more time for lesson and skill reinforcement on the extra days.

A Typical Day at Preschool

Typical Day: Each class is unique in lesson specifics and child expectations, but includes the same basic elements.

All classes are 2.5 hours long per session
Child choice /centers: puzzles and toys, center activities, (i.e. kitchen, dress-up, science, blocks, books, time for social interaction and developing friendships.) During this time the children learn about decision making and sharing as they play. Teachers also take the opportunity to work with them, one on one or in small groups.
Circle time activities: opening song and prayer, calendar, helper chart, Bible story, learning concepts, and introduction to the craft.
Craft Time: Fine Motor skills and academic concepts are reinforced and new ones are practiced through the crafts and other creative activities.
Wash up and snack time: Snack time gives the children the opportunity to socialize and be responsible for themselves.
Active play: takes place in the indoor play center, the play Zone or outside on the playground where children use their large muscles.
Show & Tell/Letter of the week: helps the children develop their language skills and self-confidence by speaking in front of their classmates.
Story time, Songs, and Finger plays: The children have an opportunity to learn new songs, develop memory skills and have fun with rhythms during this time.
Coats on and closing circle: good-bye song, prayer and angel stamp, open the door to waiting parents and dismissal.

Is My Child Ready for Preschool?

Most preschoolers are still working on readiness skills when they start preschool. Use this preschool readiness list as a guideline. If your child has a majority of these skills or is growing towards them, they are ready to be a student! Remember that you can always practice preschool readiness skills at home.

Social

To prepare for preschool, kids need to communicate or have an appropriate way of getting their feelings and needs across. That can be with words, gestures or sign language,

Preschoolers are also expected to have an awareness of others and want to make friends.

Emotionally ready

Emotionally, there are a few things to look for when considering whether your child is ready for preschool. The first is the ability to say goodbye to a parent or caregiver without too much anxiety. It’s common to be a little nervous. But kids who cry the entire day might not be ready to attend a full preschool program.

Concentration

Most preschool-ready kids can pay attention to a short picture book being read aloud. Activities are typically limited to 5 or 15 minutes in a preschool classroom. Preschoolers have to concentrate on an activity for this amount of time.

Independence

By the time kids start preschool, they’re expected to play games or do projects with other kids for a short period of time (5 to 10 minutes) without needing constant redirection from an adult. They also need to feed themselves and find their way around the classroom once they’ve had time to get to know the space.

For more information, check out these websites. https://www.teachinglittles.com/child-know-before-preschool-checklist/

https://www.understood.org/en/articles/how-to-know-if-your-child-is-ready-for-preschool

How can I help my child get ready for school?

Read books about preschool.
There are many books about going to preschool available from the public library in your area. Reading to your child helps them begin to process this new opportunity. Greece Public Library also has wonderful children’s programs.

Make a game out of practicing self-help skills.
These skills include unzipping their coat, putting on their backpack,and fastening their shoes. Velcro shoes give kids a great sense of independence!

Before school begins, your child should also be able to drink from an open cup.
It can also help to review basic preschool skills (such as hand washing, toileting, socializing with peers, separating from adults, and following directions) a few months before enrolling them in a preschool program, particularly if you notice that some of these skills are lagging.

Play at your new preschool.
Our outdoor playground is always open! Follow @sharethehopekids on Facebook to see when our indoor playcenter will be open over the summer. These visits increase your child’s comfort with and confidence in this new setting. Or join us on a Sunday morning at 9:30 am for Hope Kids. Your child will have a great time!

Socialize!
Help your child learn to play alongside other children. Check out programs at your local library, community centers, and playgrounds. Go to the zoo, the beach, the ballgame! This will give your child confidence they can handle new situations. Have discussions about how new places can be a bit scary, and they are strong and brave to face them. Make a list of the new things they do/learn this summer and post it where you both can review it. This builds self confidence.

Potty Training
While diapers are not accepted in the older programs. Pull ups are allowed in the 2-day Threes, but not in any other programs. For potty training tips, check out these tips from Focus on the Family. Don’t stress though! We understand this is a work in progress. In August, you will have a chance to chat with your teacher about where your child is in the training.
Use pretend play to explore the idea of preschool.
Take turns being the parent, child, and teacher. Act out common daily routines, such as saying good-bye to mommy and/or daddy, taking off your coat, singing songs, reading stories, having Circle Time, playing outside, and taking naps. Reassure your child that preschool is a good place where she will have fun and learn. Answer her questions patiently. This helps children feel more in control which reduces their anxiety.
Practice short separations and work toward longer ones
Try leaving your child with a trusted friend or relative while you run a quick errand and see how that goes. This will allow your little one to slowly get used to what it’s like to be apart, and to learn the pattern of separation and reunion.

For more really great ideas, check out the Zero to Three website and their extensive list.

What should I bring for a snack?

We encourage healthy snacks for the children.
Teachers will assign snacks by alphabet to each family, taking note of birthdays.
The teacher will inform the class of any allergies.
Regardless of allergies in your room, please provide a peanut-free snack (a snack that does not contain peanut products). Unless your teacher specifies otherwise, ‘made in a factory with peanuts’ is okay.
Examples of a healthy snack are goldfish, pretzels, individual fruit cups, or applesauce. Please, no
cookies or muffins (special party days excepted).
No drinks please, water will be provided.
For birthday snacks, any individual wrapped snack such as mini cookies are okay for a birthday.

When is the best time to talk to the teacher about my child?

Teachers are available through the Remind app for questions. Be aware that individual teachers may have different times of the day for availability.

Arrival and dismissal times are good for a quick greeting, but they are not appropriate for a lengthy or private conversation.

How to Register

Review Our Classes so that you know what you would like to register for.
Click the 'register' button at the top of this page.

School Policies & Calendar

We will not be requiring masks unless the Department of Health re-institutes the required mask policy for daycare and preschools in Monroe County.
Per New York State law, we are required to ensure all students attending our classes have received all age-appropriate CDC recommended vaccinations. For further information, consult the NYS Center for School Health website.
Click HERE for a pdf of our School Policies.
Click on the following documents to download.
Daily Health Screen
HCPS School Calendar 2023-2024

What do I need to bring to school?

Your child will need a backpack to carry papers, crafts, or Show & Tell items. You should enclose a change of clothes for any accidents, and extra socks for the playcenter.

Please make sure label everything with your child's name.

Your teacher will contact you regarding snacks.

Tissues, wipes, and paper towels are helpful donations for the school. Please, no sanitizer or other donations are needed.

Water bottles are not needed as the children get time for drinks.

Hope Photo Policy

Understand that from time to time, we will put pictures on Hope Church’s social media accounts (Facebook, instagram), and the website, and that staff may take pictures for such purposes however they will not save these photos.

Need last year's tuition statement for taxes?

Check your email (the one you use for billing) and spam folder from the month of January.

If you still can't find in, email sherrytrerise@sharethehope.org She can resend it to you.

How to Use Remind

Our school requires you to join your child’s class Remind account to receive crucial communications from your child’s teacher and from school. Please complete this before school starts.

We also highly recommend that the caregiver/driver who drops and picks up also be on Remind. This would be so they get instant messages regarding emergency pickups or holiday reminders. Joining is easy in 2 easy steps!

Get the app and join the school:

Text @hcpsgreece to 81010 join the HCPS account.

- When you are asked to provide your name, please add your child’s name in parenthesis ie. Kelly Brand (Noah Smith). To reduce confusion, please include your child’s last name if it is different from yours.
- Your role is P for Parent, even when you are the grandparent or caregiver.
- You will be asked to download the Remind app. Remember you can access