Our Shepherd Early Childhood Program
The Early Childhood program at Our Shepherd partners with families to provide an excellent, Christ-centered education for all children. Teachers and staff work intentionally to build positive relationships with students based on the love of Jesus Christ. Children are able to experience the joy of learning in a safe, developmentally appropriate environment.
The Our Shepherd Difference…
We strive to develop a strong foundation for each child’s growth and development. Through the use of the Project Approach, we work to foster the love of learning as we incorporate student interest and meaningful learning in curricular experiences.
We communicate daily with families through our Early Childhood Blogs and email. Families are invited to weekly chapels, special celebration days, and parent-teacher conferences.
Our classrooms are comprised of mixed age groups: 3-5 years of age. Research has demonstrated that classrooms composed of learners with a range of abilities and gifts will have measurable gains in leadership skills, pro-social behavior, independence and competence in cooperative learning abilities. Older learners nurture younger learners and all children benefit from collaborative learning strategies.
More information on multi-age learning, and how Our Shepherd teachers manage multi-age learning may be found here.
Accredited and Professionally Recognized
We are accredited with the Lutheran Schools Accreditation Association and our teachers hold Bachelor's Degrees and further their knowledge through continuing education.
Eligibility
Children are eligible if they are 3 and are toilet trained. We accept year-round enrollment for our early childhood program*. Children may attend preschool 5 days per week: half days (8:25-11:25 a.m.) or full days (8:25 a.m.-3:20 p.m.).
*Children who turn three after August 1st will participate in a trial week. The trial week is to ensure a positive school experience after enrollment. Click here to see the behaviors the teachers will observe during the trial week.
We would love to meet you! If you have any questions about Our Shepherd’s Early Childhood Program, or would like to tour Our Shepherd facilities, please contact our Admissions Coordinator,
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Early Childhood Discipline Policy
Class Descriptions & Choices
Starting on August 10th we will be offering 5 full-day and 5 half-day (morning) options for our students in the Early Childhood program. If you have any questions or would like to direct someone you know to this program, feel free to reach out to Tomi Mattick at .
What parents can expect . . .
○ Develop social skills within the school structure
○ Develop problem solving and critical thinking skills
○ Interactions within a literacy rich environment
○ Progress monitoring within the structure of the IN Early Learning Foundations
○ Experience Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior
Learn more about:
Mrs. Tracie Douglas- Director
Mrs. Amy Helmkamp - 3 year's-5 year's
Danielle Ericsson - 3 year's-5 year's
Katelyn Dahlke - 3 year's-5 year's
Mrs. Abby Fritcha - Kindergarten