Welcome to La Casa Preschool

As we start the school year just two days ago, La Casa Preschool wanted to give a warm welcome to our new and returning families and students! Three cheers for a wonderful, happy school year!

Children need the freedom and time to play.

"Children need the freedom and time to play. Play is not a luxury; the time spent engaged in it is not time that could be better spent in more formal educational pursuits. Play is a necessity. This is a lesson too often lost on competitive parents."
Source: "Exuberance: The Passion for Life" By Kay Redfield Jamison

At La Casa Preschool, we believe in a play-based philosophy that children do best through "doing" and experimenting. Through art, music, dance, STEAM play, stories, and games, we provide students hands-on, learning through play curriculum that teaches advanced stills such as problem solving and cause and effect. These skills are imperative for lifelong learning success.

Scientific Proof for Childhood Play

Experts say that play-time for young children should be taken seriously. Research conducted by the Karyn Purvis Institute of Child Development provides us with more scientific proof regarding early childhood play.

At La Casa Preschool, we agree! Our play-based preschool fosters learning through play, movement, music, art, and fun!

Looking to find out more about our play-based curriculum? Contact us today to learn more and schedule a tour of our Scottsdale preschool campus.

Little Free Library

In an effort to support our commitment to the importance of literacy, especially in early childhood, La Casa Preschool is proud to announce our own officially chartered ‘LITTLE FREE LIBRARY’ book exchange.  Anyone can build a book shelf, but Little Free Libraries are not’ just about books!  They are about connecting families and a school community through the love of reading!

Learn more about Little Free Library.

How to Choose a Preschool

Recently, I had the opportunity to experience a role reversal of sorts. I was the prospective parent, sans Grandparent, searching for a preschool for my granddaughter! It has always been my philosophy that first impressions are critical and usually accurate. Theory tested, I was quite pleased with the school I attended because as desired, a huge welcoming smile greeted me. Without any hesitation, a knowledgeable school representative, in this case the Assistant Director, then offered to give me an unscheduled tour!

Both of these factors should remain at the top of your list when seeking a good preschool program for your child. Children are our focus and number one priority. You should feel that your child is no exception to that! First and foremost, the school personnel including the office staff, administrators and teachers you encounter, must reflect that you are each important to them.

1. Welcoming staff! Phone or otherwise, it is important to impart that you are welcome! A warm greeting should be your first contact. Even in the midst of a busy preschool office, if there is not a happy voice to greet you, turn around!

2. Requests for an unscheduled tour need to be accommodated. No appointments necessary! A “come and see us anytime” motto should prevail.

3. Inquire about the teaching philosophy or methodology of the school. Play based setting versus academics setting often with expectations of skill mastery, is an important comparative. Research has shown that children learn best in an environment structured around play with the manipulation of materials, sensory experiences, hands on activities and other age appropriate challenges to facilitate learning and core objectives.

4. Teacher qualifications and tenure at the school. The level of education and the length of stay of school personnel is indicative of a strong understanding of early childhood and child development. In addition, it demonstrates dedication to the school and its legacy.

5. School discipline is an important issue. Inquire whether there is a cohesive school wide policy and practice. For example, Love and Logic is an excellent disciplinary tool, which utilizes the child’s ability to reason logical consequences put forth in a loving way. Redirection and positive reinforcement are necessary components always. Whatever method the school employs, it should align with your own personal family practice as well.

6. The types of programming included into the child’s daily routine and integrated into the preschool curriculum is important to know. Special area classes, such as Physical Education or Music Enrichment, that enhance a child’s overall educational experience is certainly a benefit. Enrichment classes and lunch bunch or extended structured learning activities may be offered as well. Asking questions about lesson plans and teacher-parent communication is necessary to understand the curriculum content and the partnership in developing and promoting lessons learned at school within the home.

7. Facility appearance and cleanliness. A well-maintained campus is more than aesthetic, it is essential. You want to see clean, good-sized classrooms with materials in good repair and bright, inviting spaces for your child to spend their school time hours. Playgrounds with proper equipment and large areas for gross motor activities is important.

8. Security measures should be addressed with the understanding that the issue is multi-faceted. Appearances aside, though a facility may not be entirely enclosed by high fences around the perimeter or have locking gates and doors requiring key-pad entry, it can still be a safe environment for your child. Vigilance among school personnel to be aware of visitors to the campus at any time of day is an excellent first step. A school policy requiring all visitors to sign in at the Office before entering onto school grounds is another proactive measure to account for guests. Having lockdown protocols in place is yet another level of protection should an emergency arise. Inquiring about dismissal procedures is valid to establish that identification is required of anyone attempting to pick up a child at the end of a school session or at any time, even those authorized to do so.

9. Cost analysis and school hours of operation should meet your needs.

10. Trusting your own good instincts and knowing what you want for your child can override all of the above. Look and listen for the signs that the people you are going to entrust with the care of your child will do exactly that….care and love your child while they are not just learning BUT learning to love school.

Student Prayer

Adorable Prayer by one of our preschool students.

Enjoy this Last Week of School

Ringing the school bell each morning is one of my greatest joys. It continues to be a highlight of my day to see the children's faces as they hurry off to their classrooms squealing with happiness all of the way.  A selfish pleasure, I am not ashamed to admit the holder for the bell in my office reads: Mrs. L's bell... To call the children to learn and be loved. May you never doubt for a minute the truth in that statement. 

As this week winds down, I will ring the bell on Thursday and Friday knowing that many of these precious kiddos are "movin' on", including my own sweet grandson. Not to see his or the other now "big kids" (AKA kindergarteners) faces here at school will be hard!  

There is comfort knowing they will now be loved by new teachers and new people in their lives. And that's ok. We want that. They may love them next, but we will ALWAYS be the ones who loved them first.

Enjoy this last week of school. Stick around and chat with each other a few minutes longer. Savor the relationships formed. Embrace the scurry of little feet, revel in seeing the hugs between little "besties", and love the happy squeals......as much as I do.

Weekly Prayer.... Dear Jesus, watch over all of our little ones whom we love.  Keep them safe from all harm. Shield them from those who would keep them from loving You. Bless them and their families always. In your name we pray. Amen 

A Huge Thanks

Please indulge this opportunity for me to express my heartfelt, and impossibly adequate, thanks to the wonderful staff of La Casa de Cristo Preschool. I am truly blessed to have Cheryl Costolo as an Assistant Director who is supportive and dedicated (31 years now, and counting!) beyond measure; and Vicki Koehler, as an Office Manager (30 years!) who keeps everyone (especially me!) in her care with grace, efficiency, humor .... and has a candy drawer to envy! 

The teachers are absolutely the best representatives of what excellence in education, especially Early Childhood Education, should be!!! All of the incredible teachers are women of great character and dedication as well. To each and every one of these women I owe much gratitude and say thank you from the bottom of my heart, as they are the heart and soul of this school. They humble me greatly.

With only two weeks of school left, the bittersweet reality has sunk in that for many of our families this is your fond exit to the next step on life's path. May you leave knowing that you will have left a great impression on our hearts and the memories are sweet and lasting. May the families for whom the fun of this and the previous weeks are just a prelude for another year ahead, know that your presence in our lives is treasured and never taken for granted. We will always strive to be just what you and your child wants and needs!!! 

Weekly Prayer.... Dear Lord, You are my hope, my trust, my strength, my comfort and my faithful helper in every need. Amen.  

Wet Oatmeal Kisses

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT FROM MRS. L

As we prepare for the remaining days of school I am reminded that each day is a gift. Though there may not be many left in this school year, each one has been unique and special and truly in every way, a gift. We should be grateful for each. I can, without any reservation, speak for all of the teachers and staff when I assure you that this is our genuine and heartfelt attitude.  At this time of year, especially, we begin to wish there were just a few more PE and Music classes, just another couple of Kid talks and group hugs, more playground times, more play time, more everything with these precious "littles", more chances for wet oatmeal kisses...... 

WET OATMEAL KISSES

The baby is teething. The children are fighting. Your husband just called and said, "Eat dinner without me". One of these days you'll explode and shout to the kids, "Why don't you grow up and act your age?" And they will. Or, "You guys get outside and find yourselves something to do. And don't slam the door!" And they don't. You'll straighten their bedrooms all neat and tidy, toys displayed on the shelf, hangers in the closet, animals caged. You'll yell. "Now I want it to stay this way!" And it will. You will prepare a perfect dinner with a salad that hasn't had all the olives picked out and a cake with no finger traces in the icing and you'll say, "Now THIS is a meal for company." And you will eat it alone. You'll yell, "I want complete privacy on the phone. No screaming. Do you hear me?" And no one will answer. No more plastic tablecloths stained with spaghetti. No more dandelion bouquets. No more iron-on patches. No more wet, knotted shoelaces, muddy boots or rubber bands for pony tails. Imagine. A lipstick with a point. No baby sitter for New Year's Eve, washing clothes only once a week, no PTA meetings or silly school plays where your child is a tree. No car-pools, blaring stereos or forgotten lunch money. No more Christmas presents made of library paste and toothpicks. No more wet oatmeal kisses. No more tooth fairy. No more giggles in the dark, scraped knees to kiss or sticky fingers to clean. Only a voice asking: "Why don't you grow up?" And the silence echos...........

"I did."

Kind of says it all, doesn't it??? Enjoy these days. What I wouldn't give for "just one more ___________.

Weekly Prayer: Thank you, Father, for my blessings, which are many. Help me to remain humble and grateful for them. In your Son's name, I pray. Amen.

It Matters

We pride ourselves on finding value in tradition. 

Traditional teaching methodology, utilizing play based materials and activities to stimulate and inspire. 

Reprising signature events year after year, such as the Mother's Tea, Dad's Day, the Olympics, Ice Cream Social and even Wacky Day, and that's just to name a few. 

Holding true to the tradition of including families in the education process of the whole child! Encouraging that partnership always has been a cornerstone for us.   

This ALL MATTERS TO US! 

And, as an entire staff, we hope this is evident in our willingness to remain dedicated to tradition while being innovative and open to including fresh new ideas. 

That said, we have only a few precious weeks of this school year left. As inclusive as we like to be in most things, fair warning.....except for special events, we may "un-invite" you to be a parent helper in the classrooms! Please understand, if we become a bit possessive and want them all to ourselves, it's because your children have crawled into our hearts and taken up a permanent spot and we don't want to share them right now! Sharing may be good for preschoolers but not for us teachers who love your kids!!!   

Thanks for understanding! 

Weekly Prayer.... Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing us to come together each month for our courtyard prayer time, "group hug" and Family Kid Talk. The children have learned that it is a privilege to pray with and for each other together. May Your words of love shared each time remain in their hearts forever. Amen.