Where it begins
Welcome to the St. Therese Early Learning Center (ELC), a joyful, thriving, faith-based program where your child is encouraged to grow in academics, social skills and a love of the Lord. Our teachers are experienced, kind, loving people who take time to get to know you and your child completely, and we provide an environment in which each child feels safe, special and valued.
The ELC is a play-based, nature-based program in a faith-based environment. Each of those words means something specific here.
Play-based
Play-based learning is learning grounded in play. Activities based in play are pleasurable, intrinsically motivating and child-selected, which means most of our academic activities have those characteristics. We use Creative Curriculum by Teaching Strategies, a research-based early childhood curriculum, to carry out this programming.
Nature-based
As many of our activities as possible, academic and otherwise, are based in nature. That may mean moving an activity outside, using supplies from nature or integrating nature into our play. When we are not learning in our beautiful Outdoor Learning Center, you might find us on the playground or in our DNR-certified school forest, where children explore puddles, climb the big tree bridge, make music with logs and play pirate ship on piles of wood chips. The forest is a magical place where children’s imaginations can run wild.
Faith-based
Most importantly, your child is immersed in faith, knowing they are a unique and beautiful child created in the likeness of God. Through songs and prayer, your child grows in faith each and every day. Once your child is four years old, he or she participates in school Masses with a Mass Buddy from an older grade.
Partnering with parents
Communication with parents is critical to each child’s development. Teachers connect with you daily, in person at pickup and through email or phone apps with updates, photos and reminders. Parent-teacher conferences are offered twice a year to discuss your child’s development and goals, and we always encourage families to contact their teachers anytime with questions or concerns.
Rates and enrollment
Current rates, fees and discounts for all ELC programs are listed on our Tuition & Financial Aid page, so there is always one up-to-date place to look.
Schedule a tour with our ELC Director today at elcdirector@st-therese.org
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