Valley Community
Presbyterian Church
Portland, Oregon
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Offering classes for children aged 2, 2½, 3, and 4 (by September 1st)Valley Christian Preschool provides a safe, healthy, nurturing environment for children from 2 to 5 years of age. VCP is certified by the State of Oregon Child Care Division and meets and exceeds all state regulations and requirements. VCP provides high quality, creative and developmentally appropriate programs that lead to children experiencing God’s love, creating a foundation upon which positive social relationship and strong self-esteem are built. Please click on the links below for more information or contact the church office for more information. |
Preschool InformationLearn more about Valley Christian Preschool... |
Director’s Cornerby Taundra Pitchford, 503.292.3537 ext. 146 Valley Christian Preschool is a ministry of Valley Community Presbyterian Church and a celebrated resource within our community. We model and teach Christian faith principles such as love, patience, kindness, compassion, self control, and forgiveness. We embrace childhood by encouraging each child to discover the world through hands-on learning and the richness of open-ended play. This creates a solid foundation for their formal education and a love of learning in the years to come. Our teachers skillfully prepare and facilitate play-based learning environments appropriate for child-initiated exploration. In an atmosphere of love and acceptance modeled by God’s unconditional love, the children develop self-esteem as well as confidence in their place in the group. Families are supported by our philosophy of sharing God’s love, resulting in a community where we work together to create a wonderful place for children to thrive. “For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.” Romans 8:14 |
Program InformationThe Valley Christian Preschool program provides a safe, healthy, nurturing environment for children from 2 to 5 years of age. Our teachers provide high quality, developmentally appropriate programs that lead to children experiencing God’s love, creating a foundation upon which positive social relationships and strong self-esteem are built. Our school emphasizes the inherent value of each individual as a child of God as well as the importance of following Jesus in everyday life. |
2 Year Old Class - GrasshoppersThis class of eight children and two teachers meets once a week on Fridays. The children are introduced to the wonder of the world around them. The class provides opportunities to explore independently of their parents and introduces them to socialization with other children, all while learning new developmental skills in a safe environment. Children must be two by September 1. |
2½ Year Old Class - GrasshoppersThis class of ten children and two teachers meets two times per week. Children are enrolled in either our Monday/Wednesday session or our Tuesday/Thursday session. The children are introduced to the wonder of the world around them. The open-ended nature of play with a variety of materials encourages the children to develop the skills they need in order to progress to the next level. The class provides opportunities to explore and introduces them to the social aspect of learning. Children do not need to be potty trained to enroll. |
3 Year Old Class - BumblebeesMeeting two times per week, this class of 16 children and two teachers, reinforces social skills while providing many opportunities for the children to succeed. This class encourages cognitive development through a vast array of materials and activities. Music and movement is highly emphasized. Most of the children in the 3’s class have been together since the previous year in the 2’s class, yet they enjoy expanding their circle of friends and happily welcome those children experiencing their first year of preschool. Children entering this class must be three years old by September 1 and be fully potty trained. |
4 Year Old Class - DragonfliesThis class of 18 children and two teachers meets three days per week on either the Monday/Wednesday/Friday schedule or the Tuesday/Thursday/Friday schedule. The opportunity is available for these children to attend school until 1:00 pm. Within the classroom, children expand their knowledge on the pre-writing, pre-reading, math, science and social skills the children have already acquired. Learning is still play-based, while the teachers facilitate curriculum themes that emerge from the needs and interests of the children. Their successes are reinforced in a balanced environment which nurtures their development before kindergarten. |
CurriculumOur program is a child centered approach to learning through play where the teacher supports and facilitates curriculum themes that emerge from the interests of the children as well as the teachers. We support a developmentally appropriate program which allows children to grow and develop at their own rate. Our classroom environment is filled with: music Valley Christian Preschool is a ministry of Valley Community Presbyterian Church, which has served families in the Raleigh Hills and greater West Slope area for more than fifty years. We welcome students of any race, color, national or ethnic origin, and religious background. |
Class Schedule and Tuition InformationClasses begin the first Tuesday following Labor Day. Valley Christian Preschool generally follows the Beaverton School District calendar. Click here for a 2011-2012 school year calendar. Our Young 2’s, 2 ½’s, 3’s and 4’s short day classes meet from 9:00 am to 11:45 am. Our Lunch Bunch/Extended Day classes meet from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Tuition is based on expenses for the entire preschool year and is then divided into nine equal payments. Monthly tuition for the 2011-2012 year will be as follows: Young 2 year olds Fridays - $120 Friday Play Group - $60 A yearly registration fee of $150 and May’s tuition is due upon enrollment. Both are non-refundable. Scholarships are available on the basis of need; applications are available through the preschool director. Click here for the 2011-2012 preschool brochure. |
Extended Morning “Lunch Bunch”The Lunch Bunch program, offered through Valley Community Presbyterian Church, offers an extended day where students bring their lunch, eat with their friends and then enjoy free play. Lunch Bunch is from 11:45 am - 1:00 pm and is available to children ages 3-5 who are potty trained. Lunch Bunch is offered Mondays through Fridays from Mid-September to May. Each day Lunch Bunch operates; there will be two teachers present and a maximum of 16 children. Lunch Bunch not only provides your child with an extended day, but the opportunity to build on current friendships and to extend friendships to new students. |
Friday Play GroupThis class is held Fridays from 9:00-11:45 am and is offered to children at least 3 years of age, who are fully potty trained. FPG gives the children valuable learning opportunities to increase their social development as he/she interacts with their peers. A less structured free-flowing environment allows the children time to focus on a variety of child-directed activities. Art, music, dramatic play, and story time are all part of the morning activities. Our student capacity will be 16 children with two teachers. Play group will start October 1 and run until the end of the school year. Enrollment is based on a lottery system. |
Waiting ListsAs a ministry of Valley Community Presbyterian Church, Valley Christian Preschool is called to provide a quality preschool which is available to our neighborhood and community. To honor this purpose Valley Christian Preschool strives to fill its classes in a fair and timely manner. We have found that a waiting list provides the most equal opportunity for everyone to be a part of our school. It is also a valuable tool for future planning. Many families may be unaware of the necessity to place younger children on our waiting lists for the future. If you have a sibling you want to enroll in a future class it is important you place him/her on the sibling waiting list by completing the appropriate area on your registration form or contacting the director. Placing your child on the waiting list is the means by which we can contact you in the future. Interested families must schedule a tour prior to being placed on the wait list. Please contact the director for more information. |
Parents’ Comments“VCP is a warm, caring and fun place for kids to be. Our whole family has felt welcomed into this supportive community of families, teachers, and church members whose top priority is giving our children a great beginning.” “Although our family doesn’t live close to Valley Christian Preschool, I believe it is worth the drive. Alex has developed a love of learning and really enjoys school. I appreciate the staff’s age-appropriate curriculum and how each child is nurtured as a unique individual.” “What a blessing Valley Christian Preschool has been in our lives. We’ve watched our daughter blossom before our very eyes. I cannot think of a better place to nurture the early curiosities of a preschooler.” “Molly loves Valley and is so excited to go each time. She wakes up every morning asking if today is her day at Valley. I’m so impressed by what a nurturing environment Valley is and also how it encourages children to explore and learn about the world around them. It’s nice for us to know that Molly is having such a positive preschool experience.” |
Family InvolvementExtended family, as well as parent involvement, is welcomed and encouraged. Taking part in your child’s education benefits your child as well as yourself. With each experience we learn and grow as a community, adults and children together. There are no required time commitments, and we offer a variety of ways to get involved. |
Preschool StaffValley Christian Preschool staff consists of a qualified group of dedicated teachers and assistants who are trained in Early Childhood Education. Each teacher is required to earn ongoing continuing education hours throughout the year. Our teachers possess a genuine love and concern for children, and is committed to the positive teaching of Christian values. |