1605 Vernon Ave Park Ridge, IL 60068
Pre K-2 down (currently not available)
Annual Calendar | Monthly Calendar | Daily Schedule
We offer a play based approach to learning in a Christian environment. Structured time includes morning prayer, carpet time, and story time. Non-structured play period, both inside and out, allow for creative and dramatic play and social growth. Weekly activities include STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math), reading readiness, music, child of the week, show-and-tell, Spanish, Chapel, and room visits with Pastor Lynne. Daily art activities incorporate a large variety of media including play dough, paint, glue, cutting and pasting. The class focuses on learning to recognize a new letter weekly through a variety of games and art activities. Monthly themes include a focus on a chosen artist and author. Special art projects are created in the style of the monthly, highlighted artist. Authors include fiction, non-fiction and poetry. The children also participate in cooking projects and presenting stories through drama. Christian themes such as Noah’s Ark and the Creation story are part of the yearly curriculum.
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Morning snack is provided.
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2 - 5 mornings (9:00 - 11:30) per week
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½ or full day extended care available, (6:30am - 5:30pm).
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Children need to be 4 years-old by September 1st
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Class is held in large classroom downstairs with it’s own bathroom and drinking fountain.
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Room has a large playhouse with a loft.
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Class size is approximately 20 with three teachers.
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Summer programs are available.
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All of our preschool classes, as well as our Jr. Kindergarten/Kindergarten class, have Music, Chapel, Pastor visits, and Spanish. Find out more about these special classes.
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Meet our teachers
Miss Laurie has been in the Early Childhood profession for over 30 years and at Messiah since 1993. She has three children, one dog and one cat. The joys of her life are her 3 grandchildren, Zoe and Zachery, (who attended Messiah) and Jackson. In her spare time, she loves reading, movies and trying different restaurants.
Laurie has her B.A from Valparaiso University and her Early Education hours from Northeastern University. She has taught all ages from infant through four years, but prefers working with the four year olds. "First of all, they are starting to develop a sense of humor. They love to joke and laugh with you . It is also very rewarding to watch the children develop into readers. They are so excited when they realize that letter sounds can be put together to make words. I also love being able to introduce the children to the great art masters, both their biographies and their creative styles. I hope my love of art will inspire the children to enjoy art, too."
About Messiah: "Messiah and it's Christian Education have enriched my life in ways I never imagined."
Miss Maggie started at Messiah in 2015 working with Miss Laurie as an assistant in Pre K-2 down class. "I live in Park Ridge with my husband of 29 years and our 3 wonderful sons (2 in college and 1 in high school). I enjoy volunteering at my sons' schools and supervised lunch for many years. I enjoy doing artwork and have taught arts and crafts classes during the summer, as well as art camps during the winter holidays.
Miss Maggie joined Messiah's staff in 2015. She has been an assistant and substitute teacher in Messiah's Pre K-2 classes.
Miss Cindy earned her B.A. from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN and has taught at Messiah since March 2011. She has worked in early childhood for over twenty-five years as an assistant, a teacher and as a director.
Miss Cindy lives in Des Plaines with her husband Bill. They have two grown children, son Kurtis who is married to Andrea and daughter Laura. And she has 3 grandsons, Kaleb, Luke and Ryan who light up their lives! Miss Cindy enjoys working (playing) with young children, “Nothing makes me happier than when I see the ‘light bulb’ go on in a child’s brain when they understand and apply what I was teaching them a few days ago.”
About Messiah: "Messiah is a community that cares for young children in a Christian environment. Children are encouraged to play, explore and have fun, while forming friendships with others."
Miss Suzanne earned her Certificate in Early Childhood Education from Oakton Community College. She has 25+ years of classroom experience including her Messiah Lutheran Child Care Center experience which began in 2005.
Outside of school Miss Suzanne enjoys quilting, playing with her grandchildren and volunteering with her therapy dog, Ted.
About Messiah: "Messiah is such a wonderful, nurturing environment for children. It is delightful to observe them reach new 'milestones' of development."
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