Can I tour the Preschool before enrolling? We encourage all families to come and visit our preschool prior to enrolling in a class, as we feel that is the best way to experience the “heart” of our school. We offer preschool tours on Tuesdays and Wednesdays at 9:30AM. If you are able to come at either of those times, please come to the School Office just a few minutes early, so we can begin our tour on time. Often times, multiple families come to tour, and we want to be able to be punctual with our tour times. Your children are welcome to come with you, as we know your child will be excited when he/she sees what we have to offer. If either of those times do not work for you, just give the School Office a call at 949-951-8683, Ext. 106, and we can schedule a separate time that works for you.
How old does my child need to be to start preschool? Children must be 3-years old by December 1 and “potty-trained.” Children turning 4-years old by October 1 are eligible for a Pre-Kindergarten class, and we offer a Transitional Kindergarten Program to children turning 5-years old by December 1. In addition, we have a young 3-year old class, which starts in January and goes to the end of the preschool year in mid-June.
What is your school’s Mission Statement? Grace Christian Schools’ mission, for our preschool, is to partner with families and introduce God’s plan for their child and inspire a love for learning. A developmental approach is used to teach the whole child (spiritual, physical, emotional, social, and cognitive) in preparation for Kindergarten and life.
What are your preschool hours? AM SESSIONS – 8:30 to 11:30 AM. Lunch Bunch – 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM. PM SESSIONS – 12:30 to 3:30 PM
Do you have uniforms or a written dress code? Preschool children should wear play clothes! Keep in mind that your child will be climbing, painting, digging, sitting in sand, playing with water, and helping himself/herself with toilet needs. We emphasize having a good experience rather than keeping special clothes spotless. Clothing with many buttons, buckles, belts, and straps are hard for little hands to maneuver. Overalls are difficult when it comes to “potty time.” Children can manage elastic-waisted shorts or pants with ease. You help your child toward independence in dressing by selecting clothing he/she can manage easily on his/her own. Jewelry is NOT appropriate. Please keep an extra change of clothing, in a zip-lock bag, in the bottom of your child’s school bag, in case of an emergency. If it becomes necessary for your child to change clothing, privacy is provided, and we do all we can to save the child from embarrassment. For safety sake, boots, sandals, “flip-flops,” and/or “CROCS” are not permitted! Tennis shoes or rubber-soled, close-toed shoes are required! Be sure to mark all removable clothing with your child’s name.
Do you have a lunch program? GCS offers a “Lunch Bunch” program available to both morning and afternoon students. “Lunch Bunch” is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, and only to preschool students who have pre-reserved a spot. 24-36 spots are available most school days during the school year. The daily charge is $5.00 per student (No discount given for multiple siblings). We wash hands, pray, eat lunch, and play with our friends. Parents are asked to supply a nutritious, NUT-FREE lunch each day.
Are you affiliated with a specific church or denomination? Grace Christian Schools is a ministry of Grace Community Church of Saddleback Valley.
Will my child/family feel welcome? Absolutely! We have special events, at the beginning of the school year, to welcome new families for both preschool and elementary grades. Our preschool offers our Open House, before school starts, to help the children feel comfortable when starting school. Families will bring the student to the school and meet the teacher, the classmates, and see the classroom. That way when they start school, it will be somewhat familiar to the child. Shortly after school starts, we invite our parents to a Get Acquainted Meeting with the child’s teacher. We go over our classroom goals, expectations, school guidelines, school year calendar, and just some nice Q & A, visit time with the Teacher and each other.