FAQs

Here are some 'Frequently Asked Questions' about our Preschool program.  Should you have additional questions, please contact Diane Kulat at 630/964-1276 or email.

 

 

How long is the school year?
Our Center runs on a nine month school year, from approximately Labor Day through Memorial Day, for a thirty-six week period. A two week Christmas break and a one week Spring break correlates with the surrounding school district break periods.
 

What are your staffs qualifications?
Trinity boasts a very stable staff, most of whom have been with our Center for 20 years or more!
We employ only fully degreed professionals with a minimum of a four year Educational degree including Early Childhood Education credits. Some staff have Master’s degrees, some have taught Early Childhood courses at the college level, and some have Special Education degrees as well as their B.A. degree.
All Trinity staff are professional teachers. Parents are welcome as “extra helpers” but are not included in the ratio. All staff complete a minimum of 19 hours of in-service credit annually, including first aid and CPR.
 

What is the ratio of your teachers to students?
Our current student/teacher ratio is :
THREES: Classes are 8 to 1, with a full-sized class at 16 children and two professional teachers.
FOURS: Classes are 10 to 1, with a full-sized class at 20 children and two professional teachers.
 

What age does my child need to be to attend?
Trinity Preschool serves young children from the time they are three years of age and toilet trained to the time they enter Kindergarten. Children must be three by September 1 to enroll in the current school year.
 

How long will my child be in school each day?
All classes are 2 and ½ hours in length.  Morning sessions are from 09:00 to 11:30; Afternoon sessions are for 12:30 to 03:00.
 

What kind of curriculum do you offer for my child?
Depending on the child's age, we offer the following:
 

SESSION OFFERINGS FOR THREES:
You may choose from morning or afternoon programs, two or three days per week, on Tuesday -Thursday or on Monday - Wednesday - Friday. All threes classes include a writing center, phonemic awareness activities, and a classroom computer to assist children in eye-hand coordination and prewriting skills.
 

SESSION OFFERINGS FOR FOURS:
You may choose morning or afternoon programs. Afternoon programs are Pre-Kindergarten curriculum (see below) and morning programs are non-Pre-Kindergarten curriculums. Whatever program you choose (non-Pre-K OR Pre-K), your child will be given all necessary skill development for the Kindergarten experience. All fours classes include a writing center, phonemic awareness, and a classroom computer to assist children in eye-hand coordination and prewriting skills. All fours classes also do journaling on a regular basis.

You may choose Monday-Wednesday-Friday morning; or Tuesday-Thursday afternoon Pre-K, Monday-Wednesday-Friday Afternoon Pre-K, or Junior Kindergarten (Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday-Friday) Pre-K.
 

CURRICULAR CHOICES FOR FOURS:
Non-Pre-Kindergarten curriculum: a balanced curriculum covering large motor skills, small motor and prewriting skills, language and pre-reading skills, music skills, math skills, science skills, social studies skills, art experiences, and life skills.

Pre-K curriculum: gives all of the above in a balanced way, PLUS adds extra lessons in the areas of small motor and prewriting skills, language and pre-reading skills, science, and math.
 

Junior K curriculum gives you all of the above for a Pre-K curriculum PLUS uses the new Illinois State Learning Standard benchmarks.
 

What if my child has a conflict with another child or staff member and needs to be disciplined?
Trinity uses redirection. We believe that children should learn to use their words to verbalize their needs. We also use documentation (like writing your name on a list). We give the child a second, similar toy while waiting for his turn, or give the child a chance to do another activity - alone or with his teacher. We encourage children to talk with one another and problem-solve, explaining their feelings and talking through concerns. We model positive ways to deal with conflict.
 

Do you offer any "Special Classes" other than what is presented in your program?
All special class offerings are extra and are open only to enrolled children, as follows:
 

I CAN!

The purpose of I Can! classes are to enhance self concept, develop positive social skills/manners, develop emotional confidence and a feeling of competency, and to reinforce skills.

 

READ TO ME

The purpose of Read To Me classes are to develop and reinforce language skills, develop an enjoyment for reading, develop specific pre-reading skills, and reinforce the stories through small motor tasks.

 

BUILDING BLOCKS
Two and a ½ hour class sessions for four year olds, held on selected Thursday mornings from 9 to 11:30. The eight week series is taught in the Fall and a repeat of the series is taught in the Spring. Families may sign up their child for one, some or all of the classes in the series, which include Measurement, Phonics, Patterning, Classifications, etc. Perfect for the child who wants to practice skill development in an active and fun environment, or increase self-confidence in a particular area. Each class session gives a one page “read-out” of the child’s performance on the tasks during that class. A limit of 10 four year olds are allowed at each class session.
 

TASTE OF KINDERGARTEN

Taste of Kindergarten class is a special class (optional) offered each Spring, that assists children in developing confidence for the "big school" experience.  Sessions are 3 hours long and are offered on selected Thursday mornings.  Families can choose to register for the entire series or for single classes.  (Science, Math, Small Motor/Writing Readiness, and Language/Pre-Reading Readiness). 

 

All Special Class offerings need preregistration and involve an extra fee to cover the cost of the staff member’s time, preparation, and materials.