In harmony with school mission, philosophy, objectives, and vision, the early childhood program of Faith is structured to provide the young child the opportunity to receive a strong spiritual, educational, and sociological, background on which continued learning experiences may prepare him or her to become a successful student and person in his or her future learning and developmental life. Two teachers and an instructional aide operate between the two early childhood classrooms.
The Early Childhood Program of Faith Elementary and Middle School is considered an integral part of the overall school program. It is not considered a day care or child care service apart from the school program. Here the child care program is the section of the school program for students in grades PS - K, Preschool through Kindergarten.
This program is for students ages 3 - 5. The program consist of two classes. The Pre-School/Pre-Kindergarten Class is comprised of students who range from age 3 (preschool), and students who are age 4 or more. For this reason the Preschool/Pre-Kindergarten class is considered a multi-grade class consisting of students who are labeled as Preschoolers as well as students who are age 4, but younger than age 5, (whom we regard as Pre-Kindergartners).
Students who reach their fifth birthday by or on September 1st, are considered Kindergartners at Faith. Faith offers a full-day kindergarten program. There is no half-day program offered in the early childhood program for students of any age. The A Beka Curriculum used, utilizes a strong phonetics approach to teaching boys and girls to become strong readers.
The school day is considered 8:15 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Before-school care is offered for $4.20 per hour, 7:00 a.m.- 8:00 a.m., daily. As a courtesy to parents, students in the early childhood program may remain at school in the after-school program up to 4:30 p.m. daily, Monday - Friday, without incurring additional cost. Lunch may be brought to school or purchased for $2.00 per serving. See the section on School Lunch.
The cost of tuition is $3,500.00 per academic year (the last Mon. of August to the first or second week of June, or180 instructional days). Tuition may be paid in advance in any amount. The first and tenth installments for the year is required up-front ($700.00) as an initial registration/tuition payment. The minimum payment required is $3,500.00 in ten monthly installment payments. The remaining eight installments may be scheduled for payment, September - April, or October - May.
Kindergartners are required to wear uniforms, purchased by parents as prescribed by the school; Preschoolers and Pre-Kindergartners may dress in casual attire. The school uniform is optional for students under age 5 or Kindergarten Class assignment. Parents ordering uniform pieces from Rush Uniform Company, New Castle, DE should not wait until the last minute to place orders, as an inconvenient backorder is likely to be experienced.
All students are taught good manners and obedience to school rules. Parents may be called in to discipline unruly students who disturb the harmony of the school’s learning environment. Having teachers who are well prepared to teach, working with many students who are not new to the program, and using incentives for positive conduct, along with references to God, angels, the Holy Spirit, angels, and the Bible, are all important components of the disciplinary program. Detailed information is available on the school’s web address on many pertinent topics: FEMS does not practice discrimination on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, or denomination..
While we welcome the presence of parents in the program, we do not desire parents to stop by often in conversation with teachers for more than a couple minutes. Appointments, home visitation, or a parent-teacher conference would be appropriate if more than a couple minutes of a teacher's time is required during the school day. This also applies to parents who may be tempted to hang around and visit with the caregiver after regular school hours, but while child care is being provided. Most parents and professionals would agree that all of our students deserve our undivided attention. Frequent, long, personal visits are definitely not helpful and not welcome unless the visiting parent is actually assisting the teacher or caregiver.
In keeping with the high standards of the school, the early childhood program is intended to equip students with measurable scholastic, character, and conduct skill that will facilitate a smooth transition into elementary grades where the student's educational foundation will continue to be strengthened.