Preschool History

Grace Christian Preschool opened its doors in 1979 and is a ministry and extension of Grace Community Church. Our preschool was founded on the principle that education is to prepare the student in body, mind, and spirit for a life that will be lived according to the truth of the Bible, leading to a life of service for God.  Grace Christian Schools continues with the same high standards and spirit, ministering to an enrollment of approximately 190 preschool-age children, from the church and surrounding community. We are licensed by the State of California, License #300602967, for a full-day preschool program, and we are an accredited member of Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)

Preschool Educational Philosophy

We provide a Christian perspective, through teaching the Bible as God’s Word, prayer, music, and drama, appropriate to the child’s level of understanding, and we help them develop an awareness of Jesus Christ as their friend and Savior. Children develop in an orderly, predictable pattern. As a result, we recognize that learning is best served through active exploration, manipulation of concrete (hands-on) materials, self-initiated projects, and receiving guidance from teachers. This is called “The Developmental Process.” The child follows his/her own timetable within a predictable age range.

Our focus is to create a climate in which children feel competent in what they can do and integrate life-learning skills into their daily lives. Everything a child experiences throughout the day is a part of his/her total education. The classroom environment is designed to allow each child to participate in experiences that are meaningful to him/her.

Preschool Daily Schedule

The following is a basic overview of your child’s time spent in preschool for both morning and afternoon sessions. Inside and outside schedules are rotated among classes to allow more room for playing on the playground. Variations to this schedule can be made according to class and teacher desires. In addition, inside and outside times may change due to weather and/or special events.

7:00–8:30
Breakfast Club (Optional): To help provide working parents a safe place for their child to start an early morning, Grace Christian Preschool provides a special time in the morning before regular preschool for children to start their morning with enrichment opportunities and of course some extra cuddles.

8:30–8:45
“APE” Time: “APE” means Action-Packed Experience – an engaging and curiosity-provoking transition time, in which the children will participate in a fun, Teacher-planned activity. This time will allow children to get wiggles out before sitting down at Opening Circle Time.

8:45–9:05
Opening Circle Time: Children are invited to join their teacher at Circle Time. The calendar, weather and daily schedule are discussed. Monthly curriculum themes are introduced through stories and interactive activities. Language skills are reinforced as they participate in discussions. Monthly alphabet letters are introduced through the Alpha Friends Phonics program. Circle Time also includes Bible Time. “Helping-Hands” tasks are given out for the younger classes, and the Helper of the Day leads the group with jobs.

9:15–9:55
Outside Time: Free play, play dough/clay, easel painting, bike-riding, gardening, swinging, feeding animals, crafts, nature walks, water play, carpentry, etc.

10:00–10:15
Chapel: Bible stories, Christian concepts, song, prayer, honor birthdays.

10:15–10:30
Snack Time: The Preschool provides daily snack.

10:30–11:10
Inside Time: Free play, music, creative arts/crafts, blocks, books/quiet time, dramatic play, science/nature, “Show and Tell” sharing, records/listening, stories, cognitive learning through games, etc.

11:15–11:30
Closing Circle Time: Stories, sharing, music, etc.

Various Times
Music & Movement: A time where emphasis is given to balance, spatial relationships, body image, eye-body-foot-hand coordination, hopping, jumping, skipping skills, etc. Activities are designed for each class, taking into consideration appropriate skill and age level. Classes go to Music & Movement once a week.

11:30–12:30
Lunch Bunch: For students that attend AM (8:30–11:30) class session only. Pre-registration is required.

11:30–6:00
Above & Beyond (A&B): For pre-registered students. Includes time to eat lunch, rest time, afternoon snack, creative play and exploration of current month’s curriculum themes.

Preschool Above & Beyond (A&B) Daily Schedule

11:30–12:00
Afternoon Welcome: Welcome children and have them sit down for lunch. Assist children who need help opening food items.

12:00–12:30
Transition Time: Have children use the bathroom and get ready for rest time.

12:15–2:00
Rest Time: Children who do not sleep will need to rest quietly for 35 to 45 minutes. After that time, they may have the opportunity to get up and go outside if there are two teachers available. When two teachers are not available to go outside, children should be participating in quiet activities at the tables.

2:00–3:00
Inside Time: Children participate in classroom activities and have an afternoon snack time, before they transition to pick up at 3:00pm or finish their time in our later A&B class.

3:00–3:10
3:00 Pick Up: Children that are enrolled until 3:00pm are picked up at this time.

3:10–3:55
Outside Time: Outside time (weather permitting).

3:55–4:00
Clean Up Time: Clean up time and begin to transition to the preschool extended care room.

4:00
Story Time: Story Time in the preschool extended care room.

4:00–6:00
6:00 Pick Up: Playtime as children leave for the day. They will have the opportunity to participate in activities that are set up in the preschool extended care room.

“Breakfast Club” Extended Care Program

If you need to drop your child off before 8:30 am, you can enroll in our Breakfast Club Extended Care program. Parents can commit from 2-days a week up to 5-days a week, to set a schedule of the same day(s), for the entire school year. Choose day(s) when your child regularly attends their class session.  Tuition for Breakfast Club is paid through your regular monthly tuition installment. If you should need Breakfast Club Extended Care for your child as a drop in, you will need to get prior approval from the Director to make sure there is room for your child that day.

Lunch Bunch

Lunch Bunch is available from 11:30am to 12:30pm for students that attend an AM class (8:30-11:30). Lunch Bunch is perfect for families that need just a little bit more time for their child at school after their morning session. Lunch Bunch begins in October, and an email will be sent out with an invitation to sign-up in September for the whole year or just the specific dates that you need it.  Space is limited to 10 children per day and you must sign-up by 3:00 pm the day before to assure space for your child.  The Lunch Bunch Rate is $12 per day.

“Above & Beyond” Program (A&B)

Above & Beyond is an exciting program to accommodate families looking to extend their preschooler’s day or days of attendance. Preschoolers must be enrolled in a GCS preschool session in order to participate in the Above & Beyond Program. Above & Beyond is offered in the afternoons only (11:30am-3:00pm or 11:30am-6:00pm) Monday through Friday, unless noted on the school calendar.

11:30-3:00 or 11:30-6:00: Parents need to provide a nutritious nut-free lunch, and a “snuggly item” to help settle their child. We will provide a sheet but ask parents to provide a labeled blanket and stuffed animal (if the child wants). Naptime items need to be able to fit on their cot while they are in their stacked positions per social service standards. After eating lunch, children will have a quiet/rest time, followed by a time of creative play and exploration of the current month’s theme, a school-provided snack, and outside time on the playground.

Chapel

We take every opportunity to teach and model Biblical standards and characteristics, as well as to use everyday occurrences to teach God’s character and creation. Therefore, each day the children enjoy a special Chapel time. The entire preschool gathers together to have a “chapel story,” sing Christian songs, and learn about God’s love. Our primary focus is to relate Bible stories with the Godly character traits addressed in Chapel. Songs, along with hand motions, are selected to emphasize God’s love. It is our desire to teach the children about Jesus and what a special friend He can be to us.

Music & Movement

Music & Movement time is where emphasis is given to balance, spatial relationships, body image, eye-body-foot-hand coordination, hopping, jumping, and skipping skills, etc. We will be working on the basic systems of the body, including the vestibular, bilateral, proprioceptive, and motor planning system. This class is also a music class where the children will have exposure to different instruments, rhythm training, ear training, and learn some basic music dynamics, through singing and body movement. Activities are designed for each class, taking into consideration appropriate skill and age levels.

In-House Field Trips

Our children are developing their understanding of life and the world around them. There will be two In-House Field trips during the school year. There will be one in the Fall and another one in the Spring. The In-House Field Trips will expose them to everyday life in a setting where their teacher can help them connect what they’re learning to what happens in the real places in their community. Experiential learning (authentic, first-hand, sensory-based learning) through on-site field trips is a way for children to reflect on and apply their new knowledge.

Preschool Holiday Camps

We offer Preschool Camps during our extended holiday closures for Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year’s, and Easter. Campers enjoy this time together with their teachers and friends. Their busy days include creative play, holiday themed crafts, playground time, rest time, and a Bible devotional time.  Preschool holiday camps are for currently enrolled Preschool students only. Our preschool staff run our holiday camps exclusively. Payment for Holiday Camps is separate from regular tuition.

Preschool Summer Camp

Preschool Summer Camp is offered to Preschool students that are enrolled for the current and incoming school year.  Registration begins in late April/early May.  Preschool Summer Camp operates for nine weeks, beginning in June and ending in August.  Each week of camp will have a theme that is enhanced by art projects, outdoor and indoor activities, music, Bible stories, and more.  We will have chapel once a week and present a Bible story and learn Bible verses.  Our preschool staff run our Summer Camp exclusively. Payment for Summer Camp is separate from regular tuition.

Brightwheel

The preschool uses an online app called Brightwheel to help build a partnership and establish communication between home and school. Each parent is required to set up an account with Brightwheel prior to the start of school. Each user will be required to read and sign the Parent User Agreement. Parents are required to check their child in and out each day by using their personal code 4-digit code or scanning our QR code and signing with a full legal signature. Children are NOT permitted to sign. Parents can communicate with staff in a 1:1 message and receive periodic updates and pictures. Teachers are responsible for posting upcoming events, reminders and pictures of special events. Teachers have up to 24 hours to respond to a message. Photos and communications are not shared schoolwide but used as a means of communication between staff and parents only. Any person added to a child’s approved pick-up list will be required to set up an account with Brightwheel for the ability to check your child in or out with their personal code 4-digit code or QR scan.

Preschool Special Events

Christmas Program: On a designated Saturday in December, we invite our Preschool families to join us for their child’s Christmas performance. Children will dress in their Christmas best and perform Christmas songs in the Worship Center. Classes will be grouped into 3 or 4 performance times throughout the day. We will enjoy a holiday treat together after each performance.

Daddy & Me Day: On a designated day, we invite our dads only (Grandpas or uncles may attend with the child if a dad is not available) to come to school and participate in special activities along with their child(ren). You will take your child(ren) to the preschool playground and enjoy some fun interactive activities that are planned for you and your child(ren) to experience together. We will end our time together in the Worship Center for a special Chapel. Sorry, absolutely no moms or siblings not enrolled in the school may attend this event.

Mommy & Me Day: Held in May. On a designated day, we invite our moms only (Grandmas or Aunts may attend with the child if a mom is not available) to come and participate in special activities along with their child(ren). You will take your child(ren) to the preschool playground and enjoy some fun interactive activities that are planned for you and your child(ren) to experience together. We will end our time together in the Worship Center for a special Chapel. Sorry, absolutely no moms or siblings not enrolled in the school may attend this event.

Grandparents Day: On a designated day we invite our Grandparents only to come to school and participate in special activities along with their child(ren). You will take your grandchild(ren) to the preschool playground and enjoy some fun interactive activities that are planned for you and your grandchild(ren) to experience together. We will end our time together in the Worship Center for a special Chapel. Sorry, absolutely no moms, dads, or siblings not enrolled in the school may attend this event.

Curriculum Guides

These documents are monthly guides to Learning Themes including letters, shapes, colors, science, character trait(s), Bible verse, and suggested ideas of how to reinforce what your child is learning.

Preschool Curriculum Guide for Parents

Preschool Curriculum Guide Grid

Preschool Calendar

Preschool Calendar – 2025-2026 Year-at-a-Glance