Northminster offers both Half and Full Day programs for a 3, 4, or 5 days a week schedule. The 3 day schedule may be Mon/Wed/Fri or Tue/Thu plus a 3rd day. Parents may select the day they have off for a 4 day schedule. Priority enrollment is given to children enrolling in 5 and 4 day programs as well as those enrolling for Full Days. We highly recommend a 5 or 4 Day Program for those children preparing to go to Kindergarten or Transitional Kindergarten.
Flexible Before and After Care
All children are enrolled in our Half Day Program (9am - 12pm). Extended Care (Before Care, Lunch Bunch and After Care) is available for all students in attendance. To accommodate parent's work schedules, we offer flexible early drop off and late pick up times. Early drop off begins at 8:00am and children may be picked up as late as 4:30pm. There is an hourly Extended Care charge which is discounted for students attending a Full Day every day.
Calendar/Holidays
Our Preschool families who have older siblings find it convenient that we primarily follow the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD) calendar for all school holidays and closures. However, our first day of the school year begins the week after SDUSD starts school. Our last day of school is the Friday prior to SDUSD's last day. We have a Summer Fun program in June and July and we are closed most of August. Please refer to our Calendar Page for more information.
Kindergarten Readiness
Our teachers focus on teaching children the skills they need to be successful in Kindergarten and elementary school. This includes socialization skills such as sharing, taking turns, making friends, following instruction and participating in circle time. We also teach children independence, whether it be working on art projects, learning how to take care of their own things, or helping them learn to eat their lunches on their own.
Small Class Sizes
Northminster Preschool has small class sizes with 12 - 15 students and 2 experienced teachers per class for a ratio of 6 or 7.5 students to 1 teacher. This enables us to provide children with more nurturing, loving and individualized attention than they will find in a public school setting.
Age Appropriate Playgrounds
Our Preschool is very fortunate to have a large campus with two playgrounds and LOTS of outside space for children to learn, play and develop large (gross) motor skills. Gross motor activities give children the opportunity to use their muscles, as well as their imaginations, as they engage in fun, healthy exercises such as running, jumping, & climbing.
Brightwheel Communication
We use an app called Brightwheel to streamline many of the processes at our Preschool. It provides secure contactless check in and check out of children each day. Parents, teachers and Admin staff can send messages to each other. And teachers can share with parents pictures and videos of their children.
Secure Campus
Our Preschool has a locked security gate which limits just anyone from coming on campus - although parents and approved pick ups are welcome to enter at any time with a secure 4 digit code that is unique to them. Your child is greeted by a teacher when you drop off and is escorted by a teacher from their classroom at pick up time. Our teachers are experienced in helping children with separation anxiety which many children have when attending school for the first time.
Christian Learning
Northminster Preschool is affiliated with the Northminster Presbyterian Church. The children have Chapel once a month with the Pastor where he shares a short Bible story and sings Christian songs with them. We teach and celebrate Christian holidays with parties and art projects and pray before snack time.
Child Enrichment
Throughout the year we offer a variety of shows to enrich our curriculum. A Native American comes before Thanksgiving to share his native dances and culture. At Christmas time we have a Special Jolly Guest from the North Pole! Pirate Musicians come ashore early in the new year. Irish Dancers entertain the children and share their Irish traditions for St. Patrick's Day in March. Check out our Enrichment Page for more information.
Special Family Events
Our Preschool also has several Special Family Events during the year. We have an Open House in the Fall for families to come visit the classrooms. The children give a Christmas Performance in December which is accompanied by a church sponsored dinner for families. We also have an Art Show in the Spring. Teachers set aside special projects throughout the year and put them on display for our families to enjoy.
Not Potty Trained? No problem!
Children are not required to be potty trained to attend our Preschool. We do strongly encourage children to be able to use the facilities by themselves by the time they are 3 years old so they can be grouped in classrooms with other children of the same age.
