Our Philosophy
The Day School strives to engage children in a variety of self-selected and teacher-directed activities. An observer may expect to see children painting and drawing, building and riding, working puzzles and creating peg patterns, hammering nails, pounding clay, sliding and climbing, co-operating and arguing, dancing and singing—real children learning and growing through their play.
The environment encourages wondering, problem-solving, questioning and all areas of cognitive development through play and planned activities. Social development goals include recognizing one's own needs, feelings and rights and making these known to others, recognizing and respecting the rights, feelings and needs of others, and moving through the stages of play to the level of cooperation.
General Information
For the Preschool program, three- and four-year-old children enroll for five mornings a week, 9:00 to 11:45 a.m., or three afternoons, Monday/Wednesday/Thursday, 1:00 to 3:30 p.m., September through May.
The morning class and afternoon class each enroll twenty children with a staff of two teachers and one assistant teacher. The afternoon class enrolls fourteen children with two teachers.
For the Twos-and-Parents Program, children 24-36 months by fall enroll for two mornings a week, Tuesday and Thursday, September through May. Each class is made up of twelve children and twelve parents with two teachers.
Teachers and Parents: An Education Partnership
Day School teachers are qualified by training and experience to understand the behavior and needs of young children and to offer guidance to families in issues of child development and parenting. Warm, nurturing relationships between staff and children are a hallmark of the school.
Parent participation is invited and welcomed, but not required. The program size allows for ample involvement. The community of support formed among Day School families is one of the unique features of the school.
The Preschool ProgramMany things are special about this thirty-six-year-old preschool:
• The presence of both three- and four-year-olds together in a class, which allows them to learn from each other.
• A dance class taught by dancer-choreographer Amy Jarvis, which is part of the curriculum each winter and spring. Children benefit both physically and creatively from the expertise of this accomplished adult artist who is able to engage young children in the art of dance.
• Friday School, which is a spring special for older children. These children meet as a group one morning each week with the head teacher who introduces them to language and math concepts, and information of particular interest to the group. A developmental approach is taken.
• Two parent education meetings are scheduled each year to discuss child-related issues. Parent participation is invited and welcomed but not required.
The Twos-and-Parents Program
• Individually planned, timely and comfortable separation of children and parents is an essential part of this program.
• A consultant in child development and family issues is part of the Twos-and-Parents staff. Monthly parents/consultant group meetings are held to discuss common child-related issues and any topics parents wish to discuss. Parent participation is invited and welcomed but not required.Facilities For Learning And Play
Facilities for the Day School provided by Fourth Presbyterian Church include a large classroom on the second floor of Westminster House, a newly-built playground outdoors, and a physical activities space indoors.
Maintaining Excellence: The Advisory Committee
The Day School Advisory Committee, comprised of members and nonmembers of Fourth Presbyterian Church, advises the director in matters of school-church relationship, tuition and enrollment, public relations and long-range planning.
How To Apply
Applications, available by contacting Emilie Syberg at 312.640.2578 (esyberg@fourthchurch.org), should be submitted no earlier than September 1 prior to the fall of enrollment.
For the Preschool Program:
In late winter, all applicants are invited ito an open house for a visit to play and meet the teachers, who use this opportunity to answer children's and parents' questions.
Children must be three or four years old by the fall of the year that they enroll and may remain in the program for either one or two years. In early September, each child receives a visit at home from one of the teachers. Then school starts gradually with small groups of children for short periods of time. To help ease separation, if desired, parents can stay close in a nearby room.
For The Twos-and-Parents Program:Children must be two years old by September 1 of the year they enroll.
All parents are in the classroom in September and October. Separations are planned individually with the teachers depending on the age and readiness of the child and gradually are begun toward the end of October.
For further information or an application contact the staff assistant, Emilie Syberg at 312.640.2578 (esyberg@fourthchurch.org). To make an appointment to observe in the Day School, contact the director, Ruth Hornaday at 312.640.2579.
