Type: Co-educational day preschool
Ages: 18 months – Pre-kindergarten
Preschool Director: Lorri Wilson

MISSION
Northland Christian School is committed to providing a Christ-centered environment that creates an educational experience of challenges, security, growth, and fulfillment. Our principle goal is to work with the family and church to build a firm foundation for further development through educational excellence and Biblical values. The school is dedicated to the development of Christian leaders for our families, churches, community, country, and world.

PRESCHOOL PROGRAM
Educational research indicates that preschool-aged children are in the “preoperational” stage of learning – needing to learn from actual objects – and on the threshold of the “concrete-operational” stage – being able to learn from symbols and signs (reading, writing, and arithmetic skills are sign/symbol based). Additionally children are on another threshold – participation in the formal school setting.

NCS recognizes these critical thresholds. Consequently, the preschool program relies heavily on active, child-initiated learning experiences which are learning center based. Outcomes include the development of dispositions important to lifelong learning – initiative, curiosity, trust, confidence, independence, responsibility, and divergent thinking. As children progress through the program, sign/symbol activities are introduced to prepare them for the formal school setting. The pre-kindergarten program is designed as a bridge between preschool and kindergarten.

Lower Preschool: Ages 18 months – 2 years
The lower preschool program allows children to attend two (T,TH), three (M,W,F) or five days (M-F) a week in a relaxed, caring atmosphere. Snacks are provided and breakfast and a hot lunch are available. Classes are well planned and provide age appropriate, hands-on activities. Blocks of time are scheduled for socialization and learning through play. Activities involve gross and fine motor skills. Instruction includes a shape, color, and nursery rhyme for each month. Artwork is created to reinforce the lessons and develop creativity. Children learn about God each day through song, finger plays, and Bible stories.

Middle Preschool: Ages 3-4
Upper Preschool: Ages 4-5
Pre-kindergarten: Age 5
Classes are designed to encourage children to become active participants in exploration, experimentation, and observation. The program includes two (T,TH), three (M,W,F), and five day (M-F) choices. Snacks are provided and breakfast and a hot lunch are available. Children in this program wear school uniforms. Instruction includes alphabet, sound and letter association, language, math, science, and social studies activities. Bible stories are taught each day and children attend chapel each week. Preschool students participate in library, music, computer, and field trip activities. The program is designed to prepare children for kindergarten and includes a pre-kindergarten program that closely mirrors the kindergarten program. On-going assessments are formally discussed at individual parent conferences in January and May. Teachers provide regular informal input regarding student development.

Extended Care
Northland Christian School offers an Extended Care program licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services which includes before and after school care and school holiday care.

The staff is First Aid and CPR certified and participates in professional growth. We are blessed to have a dedicated staff of mature caregivers.

Daily Schedule:
6:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. Extended Care staff receives children, serves breakfast to students arriving by 7:15 a.m. and cares for them until school begins.

3:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Extended Care staff serves snack. The after school schedule includes art, story time, Bible, gym and playground activities. Elementary and middle school class schedules also include homework/reading/quiet time.

Holiday Care:
6:30 a.m. - 6:30 p.m. Extended Care staff serves breakfast to those students arriving by 7:45 a.m., morning snack, lunch and afternoon snack. These are uniform free days and allow the children to play in a fun, relaxed atmosphere with their friends.

The Northland Full Care Program provides families with the assurance that quality child care will be available 6:30 a.m. - 6 :30 p.m., including holidays. This is a discounted program which also includes meals and snacks.

Extended Care options (AM EXC - 6:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m./PM EXC - 3:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.) and Holiday Care are also available “ala carte” and on an as needed basis. ALL EXTENDED CARE AND HOLIDAY CARE IS PRE-PAID. Late fees will be assessed if student is not picked up by the appointed time.*

*See NCS Preschool Parent Handbook