Day School
Our Day School is a wonderful place for children to learn, play, make friends and have fun in a safe and structured environment. Fully accreditated by NAEYC, we offer traditional child development and Montessori curriculum. Our staff is excellent and teacher/child ratios are low. Just like Sunday mornings, the halls are buzzing with children’s activities all week long!
Our mission is to provide the children of St. David’s Episcopal Day School with loving and enriching programs that meet their needs at each developmental level. All of our preschool programs are set within the life, worship, and faith of the Christian Church as expressed in the Episcopal tradition and as practiced at St. David’s Church.
Class Information
Toddler I and II, Threes, and Fours
These programs offer opportunities for exploration and discovery, allowing each child’s unique gifts and talents to emerge at his/her own pace. The Active Learning Series, designed by the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill Child Development Department, serves as a curriculum for our Toddlers through Kindergarten. The curriculum emphasizes the following skills:
- language development
- cognitive skills
- social skills
- gross and fine motor skills
Threes
Additionally, the Threes will be introduced to basic reading skills and math concepts. We believe strongly that children learn best through play. Even our academics are presented in a way that is play-filled, at each child’s own pace.
Fours
This is a continuation of the Three-Year old class with emphasis given to Kindergarten readiness. Again, work is presented in a fun, play-filled environment, at the child’s own pace.
Montessori Curriculum (ages 3-5)
Dr. Montessori’s developmental approach was designed to fit each child instead of making each child fit the program. She believed that learning should and could take place in multi-age classrooms therefore children at various development stages could learn from and with each other. The Montessori teachers know children learn more by touching, seeing, feeling, smelling, and exploring than by just listening. This way of teaching enables children to develop as individuals capable in all areas of life.
Kindergarten
In kindergarten, we continue to use the Active Learning Curriculum as well as many enhancements to meet the individual needs of all our students. We use a hands-on approach in math, science, social studies, physical education (P. E.), art, music and Chapel.
Chapel
Worship is an integral part of community life as well as the life of the individual. In our chapel program we seek to provide an environment that enables each child to participate fully in a simple worship service. Through the telling of biblical stories, the sharing of experience, and the participating in liturgy, we seek to heighten each child’s awareness that God transforms the ordinary into the sacred and that the experience of God is one of wonder, awe, and mystery. Associate Rector, the Rev. Mary Vano, serves as chaplain to our program and leads our weekly chapel
services.
