St. Andrews Preschool is a non-profit sponsored preschool which operates as a ministry of St. Andrews By the Sea Episcopal Church. The school is administered under the supervision of Preschool Director Lauren Straub and the direct phone number is (252) 441-2552.

The goal of the preschool is to provide a loving, encouraging Christian environment which will foster learning experiences from group participation to individual creativity to the development of new skills, while guiding the child to obtain greater independence, social competence and self fulfillment.The preschool consists of a Parent's Morning Out (PMO) program for toddlers, one Three Year Old Class consisting of no more than 14 children with one teacher and assistant, and two Four Year Old classes of 12 children each with one teacher per class and a shared assistant. Enrollment consists of returning students, St. Andrews by the Sea member's children and applications on a "first come, first served" basis. 

Educational Philosophy
SAPS educational Philosophy is based on a developmental program.  We believe young children learn best in a happy, relaxed atmosphere. They learn to express themselves creatively through play activities and interaction with others. Appropriate learning activities will be planned according to the developmental needs and abilities of the child. Our goal is to provide each child with the tools necessary to begin a successful and happy formal education that begins in Kindergarten.

Through Free Play a child learns to share, cooperate, wait for a turn, listen and follow directions.

Through Group Learning language development is stimulated as well as creativity and independence. Indoor and Outdoor Play helps large muscle development and coordination

Corporal punishment is never appropriate discipline. The purpose of discipline is to teach acceptable behavior. Techniques include close supervision, praise for acceptable behavior and re- directing behavior. SAPS approves "Time Out" policy which is the removal of the child for a period of no longer than three minutes from the situation in which the child is misbehaving. This technique allows the child to sit down and think over the problem. [BACK TO TOP]

Don Porcher Memorial Scholarship
The Don Porcher Memorial Scholarship fund was established in the memory of the Reverend Mr. Porcher, who was instrumental in starting the preschool. The fund is to provide needed financial assistance to families wishing to send their child to SAPS. [BACK TO TOP]

It is the hope that no child will miss the preschool experience due to financial hardship.

Requests for the scholarship should be made to the Rector and will be handled in confidence.

Health and Safety
Every precaution will be taken to protect the children's health and safety.  If a child becomes sick or injured during preschool all attempts will be made to contact  the parents first, emergency person second and under extreme circumstances the child will be taken to the Outer Banks Hospital.

Special Programs
Kindermusik Music Box with Marsha Neal is offered after preschool on Thursdays. The program is for children aged 3-5 years old. It is an interactive music and movement class lasting 30 minutes. For more information please contact Marsha at (252)232-2889. [BACK TO TOP]

Acceptance
St. Andrews Preschool will accept children age three and four. In most cases the child's birthday must be on or before October 15,. Exceptions may be made depending on the circumstances at the discretion of the director. [BACK TO TOP]

Each student's parents will be asked to complete an application along with a non-refundable $25.00 application fee. Upon acceptance, parents must have a medical form filled out by their physician, sign a field trip permission slip form and pay a one- time registration/snack fee. A waiting list will be used throughout the year to fill vacancies that may occur. Parents must re-apply each year.

Parents Morning Out
The purpose of Parent's Morning Out (PMO) is to provide a fun, nurturing playgroup for toddlers while allowing parents some free time. PMO provides a safe, dependable atmosphere for your child. [BACK TO TOP]

Children can benefit from being with other children. Even though younger children are more likely to engage in "parallel" play-playing by themselves in a group-they do enjoy the company that others provide. Children also practice communicating with others and begin to develop social skills.

A small, nutritional snack is provided mid-morning by the preschool.  There are no more than fourteen children with two caregivers. [BACK TO TOP]

Miscellaneous
There will be an "Open House" meeting in late September/early October to see the classrooms and meet the teachers. Our fund-raising event will be discussed. [BACK TO TOP]

Schedule
Preschool will begin after Labor Day and end the week before Memorial Day.  During the year vacation days are scheduled to coincide with Dare County Public Schools. Please note there are many days that public school is closed but preschool is open. A Preschool calendar is located at the end of this handbook. [BACK TO TOP]

If it is necessary for the Public School to be canceled due to bad weather the preschool will also close. If schools are delayed, preschool will cancel only if conditions are still bad at 9:00am.  Cancellations will be announced on local radio stations. [BACK TO TOP]

Preschool will begin at 9:00am and end at 12:00noon for PMO and Three Year Old Class. The Four Year Old Class begins at 8:45am and ends at 12:30 pm. Each parent is responsible for escorting their child to and from the classroom. You must notify us in writing of anyone authorized to pick up your child. In case of emergencies please call and leave a message on the answering machine.  We ask that parents not arrive more than five minutes early in the morning pick up promptly after class.   

Fundraising
Salaries and operating expenses are paid in part by your child's tuition. The remaining expenses are paid by fundraising income. Our annual Spaghetti Dinner has become a popular community event and an excellent source of income for our preschool. Our goal is to have each family sell $80.00 worth of tickets for this event. It is also our expectation that one parent will work the evening of the dinner. [BACK TO TOP]

It is only through our parent's successful fundraising efforts that we are able to obtain special materials and equipment which  enhance our program such as playground maintenance and equipment, books and toys. [BACK TO TOP]