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. We generally follow the same major holidays as the Greece Central School District.

We are now utilizing the Brightwheel app for registration, billing and parent communication. Learn more at Mybrightwheel.com

Click here to take a video see our facilities.  

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.
• Every class has one Teacher and one Teaching Assistant.
• Class sizes vary by age; Two’s: up to 15 kids; Threes: 16 kids Fours: 18 kids. 5-day 20 kids
• A Preschool Administrator is on campus each school day.
• Meet the teacher is held for all incoming families in early September. 
• Please join us for one of our open to the community events.  Keep an eye on upcoming events on this page for details.

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.

Our school utilizes Brightwheel for all of our communication and billing. You must know how to use the Brightwheel app as a parent or guardian. There are 3 easy ways to learn: 

Brightwheel YouTube Videos make it easy! 

Brightwheel Help Center online

…. or access the Help function inside the app

Is your child ready for Hope Christian Preschool (HCPS)?

It is our goal that all children enrolled at HCPS have a positive school experience. To help guide you, please read the information listed below. By registering, you acknowledge that you understand these expectations. 

1. HCPS is a Christian preschool. Your child will hear every day how Jesus loves us and will be taught age-appropriate Bible topics during “Bible time.” No prior Christian education or knowledge is needed, and children are not evaluated on Bible concepts during mid-year and/or year-end progress reports.
2. At HCPS, we believe in the power of routine. Each day follows a structured schedule, providing your child with a sense of security and predictability.
3. HCPS is not a low-ratio school. Class sizes can be found on the website. There are no more than two adults in the classroom at all times who need to work with all children in the classroom. Children more comfortable in a smaller classroom with less structure will find it difficult to settle in at HCPS.
4. All three and 4-year-olds are expected to be able to be still, listen, and not disrupt others during circle time for at least 5 minutes. This time will increase as the school year progresses and for the four-year-old age group.
5. Two-year-old class: your child should be able to follow familiar one-step directions, sit for a brief interactive song/story time, and be able to play safely near their peers. This class is taught by one teacher and one teacher assistant and has up to twelve toddlers. If your cold is not ready for the Two-year-old class or is not old enough (2 years old by August 1st), we suggest the Toddler Time class. 
6. Children will interact in the classroom routine without exhibiting repeated behaviors that require excessive staff attention to the disadvantage of other class members. 
7. Children attending a three-day-a-week class must be in underwear and independent in the bathroom by the start of school. The full toileting policy and all of our policies can be found on our website. 

Hope Christian Preschool admits students of any race, color, or national or ethnic

For more information about preschool readiness, 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

Read books about preschool.

Read to your child:

Attend local story hours, including the free program at Hope Christian Preschool. Click here for summer and fall dates.

Socialize!
Help your child learn to play alongside other children. Check out free programs at Hope Church, sponsored by Hope Christian Preschool: click here for information. And 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.

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!

Potty Training
Potty training is required for all 3 and 4 year old classes. Please refer to our new guidelines.
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.

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.

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

• Click HERE for a PDF of our School Policies.
• Click on the following documents to download.
• Daily Health Screen

• 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: mini cookies, mini cupcakes or other small sweet treats are acceptable for a birthday. No juice please. The teacher may cut snacks in half if they are an adult size portion.

Teachers are available through the Brightwheel 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.

• A great backpack! Your child will have wonderful art and other projects to show you, and school may occasionally send home important papers. Please make sure the bag is big enough to hold these amazing projects! And don’t forget to check for those important papers.
• Socks for the indoor playcenter (keep an extra pair in the backpack).
• Put an extra change of clothes in the backpack in case of an accident.
• PLEASE LABEL backpacks, coats, boots, sneakers, sweaters, etc. with your child’s last 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.

Check your brightwheel account in the month of January. When Tax statements are available you can find them under statements in the billing section.

Contact alexisbertola@sharethehope.org for further assistance.