Preschool Program
About
At St. Francis Preschool program, we are dedicated to providing a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment where children can thrive emotionally, socially, and academically. For decades, we have supported families in Long Beach Island and surrounding communities by delivering high-quality early childhood education and dependable childcare services.
Our program is designed to foster the unique growth of each child. By blending structured learning, creative play, and individualized attention, we ensure every child feels valued, confident, and inspired to explore the world around them.
Our Philosophy
We believe that early childhood is the foundation for lifelong learning. Through play-based and hands-on experiences, children develop critical skills that prepare them for future academic success and personal growth. Our dedicated teachers are committed to guiding children through these formative years with love, care, and respect.
GOALS
The children’s needs are our primary concern, we developed a program that is success oriented, allowing our children to grow in self-esteem as they explore their world. The activities foster self-motivation, independence and creativity with teachers who know that children who feel good about themselves are prepared to develop all their talents to the fullest.
COMMITMENT
We are committed to:
Providing a high-quality developmentally appropriate program by staying current in the research of child development and early childhood education.
Following the standards of GNJK (Grow NJ Kids).
Children having a safe and positive learning environment.
Respecting and supporting families in the care of their child.
High standards of professional conduct.
Employ staff who are well trained in child development and early childhood education.
At St. Francis Preschool, our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and enriching environment where children can grow, learn, and thrive. Through play-based learning, individualized attention, and a focus on whole-child development, we empower each child to build a strong foundation for academic success, personal confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.
Our Program
Our Program focuses on providing children with a strong foundation for learning and school readiness. Through a combination of play, structured activities, and personalized attention, we nurture each child's social, emotional, and academic development.
Program Highlights:
Age-appropriate Researched based curriculum focusing on literacy, math, and creative expression
Social and emotional skill-building
Fun, interactive learning experiences to encourage curiosity
Caring, certified staff committed to your child’s success
Provide working families with dependable care in a safe, engaging environment where children can play, learn and grow.
Eligibility: Children ages 13 months to 5 years of age.
Our Curriculum
HighScope Preschool and Toddler Curriculum
In the HighScope approach teachers and children are active partners in the learning process. This balanced approach to adult-child interaction — also called "intentional teaching" — is critical to the effectiveness of the program. It includes techniques for encouraging learning in specific content areas as well as strategies for helping children resolve conflict.
Classroom arrangement, materials, and equipment. The space and materials in a HighScope setting are carefully arranged to promote active learning. The center is divided into interest areas organized around specific kinds of play; for example, block area, house area, toy area, book area, sand area, and art area.
Daily routine
HighScope teachers give preschoolers a sense of control over the events of the day by planning a consistent daily routine that enables the children to anticipate what happens next. Central elements of the preschool daily routine include the plan-do-review sequence, small- and large-group times, greeting time, and outside time.
Toddler Content Areas
Learning is focused on:
Approaches to Learning (making choices, learning about others, solving problems and developing self-help skills); Social & Emotional Development (relating to adults and children, group participation, expressing emotion, responding to others feelings and playing with others); Creative Arts (exploring art material, music, pretend play, exploring and building); Physical Development & Health (moving body, moving with objects, moving to music); Communication, Language & Literacy (listening and responding to language, speaking, exploring print, and enjoying stories, rhymes and songs); Cognitive Development (exploring objects, exploring categories, developing number understanding, exploring space and time).
Preschool Content Areas
Learning is focused on:
Approaches to learning (initiative, planning, engagement, problem solving, use of resources, reflection); Social & Emotional Development (self-identity, sense of competence, emotions community, building relationships, cooperative play, moral development, conflict resolution); Creative Arts (art, music. Movement, pretend play, appreciating the arts); Physical Development & Health (gross-motor, fine-motor skills, body awareness, personal care, healthy behavior); Communication, Language and Literacy (comprehension, speaking, vocabulary, phonological awareness, alphabetic knowledge, reading, concepts about print, book knowledge, writing, English language learning); Mathematics (number words and symbols, counting, sorting, sorting, measuring, patterns, data analysis); Science & Technology (observing, classifying, experimenting, predicting, drawing conclusion, communicating ideas, natural and physical world, use of tools and technology); Social Studies (diversity, community roles, decision making, geography, history, ecology).
TEACHER QUALIFICATIONS
All teachers meet GNJK and New Jersey requirements. The director’s qualifications include: a Master in Teaching focused on the Early Childhood Education and a Master in Applied Behavioral Analysis. She also holds a license in social work and has over 30 years of experience working with children and families. The head teachers and teacher assistants have a master’s degree, bachelor’s degree, or an associate's degree in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, or child development. Some teacher assistants are pursing the education field and are attending local colleges. All teachers and teacher assistants are trained in child development and early childhood education. They are also trained in CPR/First aid.
Give Your Child the Best Start
At St. Francis Community Center, we are dedicated to providing a loving, educational environment where children can build a strong foundation for a bright future. Schedule a tour or contact us today to learn how our programs can support your child’s growth and development.
Why Choose Us?
Safe & Supportive Environment: Our center is fully licensed and meets all state childcare regulations to ensure your child’s safety and well-being.
Qualified Staff: Our teachers are early childhood professionals who foster healthy child development.
Affordable Options: We provide high-quality care at competitive rates to ensure accessibility for all families.
Focus on Learning: Our programs are designed to prepare your child for future academic success while building confidence and independence.
ACTIVITIES
Family Events
Health Workshops
Family Workshops
Parent Conferences
Children’s Art Show
Recognition of Week of the Young Child
Dental Week
Eye Screening
Speech Screenings
Developmental Screening
Family Orientation Day
Pre-K 4 Graduation
St. Jude Trike-A-Thon participation
Children’s Program Library
Visit from Long Beach Island Children's Librarian
Visit from Leisel and her handler from Bright and Beautiful Therapy Dogs
And much more…
FACILITY
Classes are divided into appropriate age groups. We also have access to a full size indoor gymnasium.
Our Program
Grow NJ Kids
St. Francis Preschool is proud to be a 4-star Grow NJ Kids program, a state-sponsored initiative focused on improving the quality of child care and early learning in New Jersey. Grow NJ Kids provides resources for programs to enhance their quality and helps parents make informed decisions for their child’s education.
For more information, visit www.grownjkids.com.
Let’s Move Initiative
St. Francis Preschool earned a Certificate of Achievement from the National Early Care Education Learning Collaborative Project (Let’s Move). Launched by former First Lady Michelle Obama, Let’s Move! promotes healthier lifestyles for children by encouraging healthy eating, access to nutritious foods, and regular physical activity to combat childhood obesity and foster lifelong well-being.
Preschool & Childcare at St. Francis Community Center
Preschool & Childcare at St. Francis Community Center
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ’s
-
We accept children from 13 months to 5 years old in our Toddler and preschool programs.
-
We are open Monday to Friday, from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
-
No, at this time we do not provide meals and snacks.
-
For information about Preschool contact Katie Opauski, the director, at ext. 114 or kopauski@stfrancislbi.org. For information on subsidized vouchers contact Karen Acker at (609) 494-8861. Vouchers are available on a first-come first-serve basis.
-
Yes, our center is fully licensed and adheres to all state childcare regulations, ensuring a safe, clean, and stimulating environment.
-
A: Children engage in daily physical activities, including outdoor play, group games, and exercises that promote gross and fine motor skills.
Contact Us
For information about Preschool contact
Katie Opauski, the director, at ext. 114 or kopauski@stfrancislbi.org.
For information on subsidized vouchers contact Karen Acker at (609) 494-8861.
Vouchers are available on a first-come first-serve basis.