What We Offer
Home Visits
Just prior to the start of classes in September, our teachers will make a "house call" to their incoming students. This a great way for the children to share a bit of time with their new teacher in a safe and comfrotable setting...their own home.
Small Classes
The 3 year old class limit is 12 children. The class meets Tuesday & Thursday mornings from 9:00 am to 11:30 am.
The 4 year old class limit is 15 children. The class meets Monday, Wednesday, & Friday mornings from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon, September-December, and from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, January-June.
Classroom Setting
The classroom setting recognizes individuality, promotes independence, encourages freedom, and demonstrates respect for children.
A Sense of Community
The classes take supervised field trips to local places of interest like the Post Office, Library, Farm, Beach, etc. to demonstrate that schooling (learning) is not merely preparation for life, but part of life.
Parental Participation
Parents and/or family members of preschoolers assist the classes on a weekly, rotating schedule. They also have the opportunity to chaperone field trips.
Enrollment
Although we are affiliated with the Setauket Presbyterian Church, our program is non-sectarian. Participants are accepted on a first come, first serve basis regardless of religion, race, color, creed, sex or national origin.
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Our Goals
- To accept each and every child.
- To foster respect, rapport, and individual differences with each child.
- To develop the physical, social, emotional, intellectual and aesthetic needs of each child, and help to determine each child’s level of development, or readiness in these areas.
- To encourage and develop each child’s self esteem.
- To give each child the media of appropriate materials to spark creativity and original thought.
- To provide an environment for dramatic play and musical appreciation.
- To emphasize experiences that will involve the child totally through sight, sound, taste, touch and smell.
- To help children problem solve through daily experiences that relate directly to them.
- To encourage each child to listen to others, and to empathize with them.
- To encourage verbalization within the group concerning both positive and negative experiences, frustrations, or related incidents.
- To establish a positive, and constructive parent-child-teacher relationship, a close rapport between home and school.
- To set up a democratic system within the classroom, giving more responsibility as the group becomes more able to cope with the balance between responsibility and freedom.
- To capitalize upon a young child’s natural curiosity about the world, and to convey to each child an attitude of excitement about learning.
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Our Teachers
Janet Craig, Director and Teacher
Janet Craig has been teaching the three year old class since February 1996. Prior to accepting this position, Janet served on the Preschool Committee as the parent representative for one year and was treasurer for four years. As of July 1998, Janet has taken on the added responsibility of Preschool Director.
Janet has also taught in the Islip and Garden City Public Schools. She has a Master of Science from C.W. Post and a Bachelor of Science from SUNY Oneonta.
Janet and her family reside in Setauket and are active in the life of the community.
Kim Castellano, Teacher
Kim Castellano has been a familiar face at our Preschool since 1998, first as the parent of a student when her 3 children attended and later as a substitute teacher for both Janet Craig and Fran Costabile.
Kim's prior teaching experience includes 9 years at the first grade and kindergarten levels in the North Babylon Public Schools where she specialized in early childhood reading. Kim attended SUNY Oneonta where she received a Bachelor's Degree in Elementary Education as well as a Master's Degree specializing in reading K-12.
Kim and her family reside in East Setauket, and have been Three Village residents for the past 20 years.
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