The summer is flying by and we have accomplished a lot but still have a lot to do!  Three rooms have been painted.  All of the floors have been stripped and waxed.  The Kindergarten room has been relocated and completely remade.  The playground received a facelift (well, not the whole face yet so we will call it a nose job.  LOL.  Phase 2 of the project takes place next summer!).  There has been so much going on! 

Parent Night is set to take place on August 31st at 6 PM.  This event is a parent informational meeting.  The teacher meet and greet for students will be in September.  Information containing dates and times will be mailed home the first week of August.  

If you are in the search for a preschool and are considering St. John's, don't delay!  Call us today.  Most of our classes have a wait list, BUT there are a few spots and it's important to get on the top of the waitlist by calling or emailing now.  We can schedule a tour for you as well.  

The registration packet can now be found under the registration tab.  It is also available here for convenience.  We do hope you join us on February 16th for Open House Tours.  

The new registration packet will be uploaded onto the website soon!  It's almost ready!

Here are some important dates:

Thursday, Feb. 16 is an Open House for Tours.  The preschool will welcome tours from 10:00-11:30 AM.  Come to the front door (look for the garden flag/white mailbox), buzz in at the tower, wait for the secretary to see you in the camera and she will allow you to enter the building.  

In House Registration begins for our families currently enrolled on Tuesday, February 21st. 

Public Registration (for new families) will begin on March 1st.  All new students enrolling must bring a current physical and a copy of the birth certificate prior to September 1st.  

​2023-2024 St. John’s Preschool Registration Q&A
{To help you understand the registration process}
 
Q:  What are the important dates for next year’s preschool registration?
A:  Thursday, February 16th from 10:00-11:30 AM the preschool will hold an Open House.  This event allows parents and students to tour the classrooms during a normal preschool day.  Families currently enrolled AND families interested in enrolling are all welcome to tour the classrooms.  In-House Registration will begin at 9:00 AM on Tuesday, February 21st.  Public Registration will begin on Wednesday, March 1st at 9:00 AM. 
 
Q:  What is the difference between “In-House” and Public Registration?
A:  In-House Registration is for families currently enrolled in St. John’s Preschool.  Public Registration opens the process for new families that do not have current students.  Having two different registrations allows our current families the opportunity to register for the class that they prefer first. 
 
Q:  When can I expect to receive a packet for registration?
A:  Registration packets will be sent home with all students at the beginning of February.  Printing of the packets is currently on hold until the 2023-2024 budget is approved by the SJUMC Finance Committee.  This is scheduled for the end of January.  Once tuition and registration fees have been approved, packets will come home with students.  Look for packets in your child’s backpack at the beginning of February. 
 
Q:  Will registration fees and tuition be increased this year? 
A:  Yes.  A more in-depth explanation will be sent home, but the operating expenses of the preschool have increased, thus forcing us to increase our operational budget.  Also, the State of Delaware is instituting a minimum wage hike. The budget proposed will reflect those increases as well. 
 
Q:  What is the process for registering my student?  Do I need to arrive earlier than 9:00 AM?
A:  Traditionally, families that have had a specific need (for example M/W or T/Th 2-year-old class) have planned to arrive at the beginning of registration.  There is NO need to arrive early or stand in line this year for the pre-kindergarten class.  There is a spot for ALL of our students moving into pre-k and kindergarten. 
 
Q:  If my student is currently enrolled in a Pre-K program but does not meet the cutoff date for Kindergarten and I would like him/her to repeat Pre-K, is that possible? 
A:  Absolutely!  Mrs. Murphy will send packets home with all students not meeting the cutoff date for kindergarten.  Your student IS permitted to attend kindergarten in our program if he/she does not meet the August 31st cut off.  Talk to Mrs. Murphy about that option.  
 
Q:  Can I pick up a registration packet for a friend or family member?  Can I register my friend?
A:  Yes!  Extra registration packets will be available by asking your child’s teacher or visiting Mrs. Murphy’s office.  We would love for you to invite your family and friends to join the SJP family.  Yes, you may send someone else to register your child for you.    
 
Q:  Can I request a specific teacher for my child?
A:  Unfortunately we cannot guarantee a specific teacher but we do try to accommodate your requests.  You may note a request on the first page of your packet. 
 
Q:  Will there be staffing changes next year?
A:  Very few things in life are guaranteed, but with 100% certainty I can tell you that there will be some sort of staffing changes.  We work hard to retain our employees and to have low turn-over, but some things are not under our control.  Staff members leave for a multitude of reasons.  Sometimes personal events happen that change a staff member’s circumstances and the part-time employment that St. John’s Preschool offers them no longer suits their needs.  We do hope all of our staff come back next year.  What we can guarantee to you, as parents, that all new staff members will meet the requirements set by the DE State Office of Childcare Licensing or will take the appropriate means to become certified.  Also, the staff to student ratio is set by the state and we always abide by those guidelines. 
 
Q:  Are there age requirements for each class/age group?
A:  Yes.  St. John’s Preschool follows the Seaford School District’s guidelines for entry in kindergarten.  Students in the 2 y/o class must be 2 by August 31, 2023.  Students in the 3-4 y/o class must be 3 by August 31, 2023.  Students in the Pre-K classes must be 4 by August 31, 2023.  If your child was admitted prior to the registration process and is not currently in the appropriate class, your child can continue on the path that he/she is on.  Your child’s teachers will discuss your plans for these circumstances at parent conferences.   
 
Q:  Is the Kindergarten class being offered again this year?
A: Yes!  Kindergarten is being offered and will remain a state registered private school.  Also, we are looking to expand our kindergarten space!  Stay tuned for further updates regarding this project.  

September was gone in a flash!  Students have acclimated to their new classrooms and friends, they've learned the routines and they've taken off with their learning!  It's been a great start to the year! 

October will be insanely busy with fire house trips, school pictures, fall field trips, costume day and so much more!  We can't wait to experience it all together.  

Rooms are painted.  Floors are waxed.  New staff are hired and more are being hired.  It's been a whirlwind summer but we are gearing up for a great fall!  Back to school letters are mailing out today!  We are excited to start a new chapter with you.  Parent Night is Aug. 18th.  We will see you then!