Early Childhood Education - The Catholic School Difference
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
By
Julie Ramski
The Data
Research clearly shows that children who attend preschool are more likely to succeed in kindergarten, and that participating in early childhood education provides academic and social benefits that last well beyond the early years.
The Difference
When a child enters a preschool or kindergarten in a Catholic school, they become part of an established setting for learning. Our preschool and kindergarten classrooms are not just add-ons or separate programs. They are an integral part of the elementary school community and considered an important part of the learning continuum. Note that the Archdiocesan curriculum begins in preschool for all subjects. Most importantly children are welcomed into a community of faith, where they begin learning of God's love for them, and about love for others.
The Details
Today, one hundred percent of elementary schools have kindergarten programs, and ninety-seven percent have preschools. Each school structures their early childhood programs to meet the needs of their families and community. The offerings include mixed-age programs (3- and 4-year-old children in the same classroom) or age separate groupings. Due to overwhelming demand and/or constraints of space, some preschools only accept 4-year-olds.
Catholic schools offer a variety of schedules - full day, half day, five days a week, two or three days a week, morning groups and/or afternoon groups. Each early childhood program strives to meet the needs of young children and their families by providing before and/or after school care, hot lunch and breakfast programs.
Each school's early childhood program, goes through a rigorous evaluation process and is recognized by the Office of Catholic Schools and the Illinois State Board of Education. Our programs follow Illinois State Board of Education Early Learning Standards and Kindergarten Standards. Teachers have Bachelors degrees (many have Masters degrees) and state certification. Assistant teachers are provided and enrollment is limited to meet adult/child ratio and group size requirements. The learning environment meets nationally recognized criteria for high quality such as those set forth by the National Association for the Education of Young Children.
The Decision
Use the school locator to find a Catholic school offering preschool or kindergarten near you. As the largest school system in the nation, our goal remains more students in great Catholic schools, doing what we do best in service to families and the future of our world and church.
"With over 15,000 children in our preschool and kindergarten classrooms, we open our hearts to the future of our nation, whose parents and teachers already value faith, focus and achievement." - Sr. Mary Paul McCaughey, O.P., Superintendent
"Systemwide, across Cook and Lake County, archdiocesan preK for both 3- and 4-year-olds is up 15 percent; kindergarten is up 3 percent, and first grade is up 2 percent compared to two years ago." - Chicago Sun Times, 1/13/2012
