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Saint Leo the Great School
550 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft, NJ 07738
Phone: 732-741-3133 Fax: 732-741-2241




 

The 3 year old Preschool program is now being offered in the Early Childhood Learning Center located across our school campus. For more information please contact Junell Wells, Director of Child Services, at junellwells@stleothegreat.com or by phone at 732-333-7362.

 

Pre-K 4 Year Old Program

The first five years of a child’s life is a time of tremendous social, physical, cognitive, spiritual and emotional growth.  Engaging the heart, the spirit, the mind, and the body is the most effective way to create both a strong foundation and a life-long love of learning.

And you thought they were just having fun…

Fundamentally, children learn through play.  It is a natural way for them to explore, to become creative, to problem solve, and to develop social skills.  Our teachers use play to further language and vocabulary development, to improve social skills, to introduce scientific and mathematical concepts, and to strengthen their spirituality through Religion.

Children benefit from activities that focus on all intelligences. Cognitive skills, linguistics, social skills, math readiness, music and rhythm, fine and gross motor skills, and spatial awareness are fostered daily. 

Spanish

Our Spanish program introduces students through a variety of activities in a stimulating classroom environment. Preschoolers are introduced to colors, numbers, and parts of the body through songs, games, crafts, and dance. They also learn appropriate greetings, self-introduction, basic expressions, and prayer.

Technology

Technology offers additional ways to learn and to demonstrate learning. The classroom use of iPads is yet another aspect of our early childhood development program. For Preschoolers, the use of iPads provides benefits in being able to handle the technological world in which we live. We carefully choose educational apps that, when properly used, can serve as a catalyst for cognitive and social skills.

Sign Language

Our preschoolers are given the opportunity to learn American Sign Language (ASL). It has been found that ASL enhances learning and increases long term learning potential. It facilitates spoken language development and cognition. There are three kinds of learners: auditory, visual and kinesthetic. Sign language can enhance all three learning modalities. By using sign language, we increase the learning potential in all our students. Sign Language and finger spelling are fun and productive ways to actively engage young children in the reading process.

Library

Our Library / Media Center is equipped with an interactive white board to engage our preschoolers  while developing early literacy skills and enhance their learning experience. Additionally, we boast a children’s reading area, where large print books and felt boards captivate our young learners with a  wide variety of books, songs, fingerplay, puppets and crafts designed to develop  pre reading skills. The importance of reading to children is emphasized to:

  • develop language skills
  • enhance concentration
  • build a foundation for reading
  • develop imagination

Music

Children enjoy singing and expressing themselves through music. Studies show musical experiences in childhood can accelerate brain development, particularly in the area of language acquisition and reading skills.

The Preschool music program not only promotes singing, but the children also get to use various instruments, move to the rhythm and beat of music, learn the “C” scale using solfege with hand signs, and build self-confidence.  What better way  to learn and have fun at the same time!

STEAM

Preschoolers are naturally curious, and they learn through their experiences. Although STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Math) is a new idea, it’s not for our preschoolers. They have always used this technique to learn. We strive to build a strong foundation for future learning by exploring age appropriate STEAM skills and concepts through play and discussion, then encourage students to explore, discover, question and learn.

2024-2025 Class Schedules for Pre-k 4 year olds

3 Day   8:00 AM - 1:00 PM
5 Day   8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Extended Care Option

Preschool students may use our Extended Care Program from 1:00 PM to 2:40 PM for an additional fee.

PM Care Option
Preschool students may use our PM Care Program from 2:40 PM to 5:40PM for an additional fee. 

NOTE:   All Pre-K students must turn four by October 1st and be fully toilet-trained. No Diapers or Pull-ups are permitted. Parents will be called and asked to come in to school when accidents occur.