Christ Church
Episcopal Preschool
Let Your Light Shine - Matthew 5:16
Now accepting applications for 2024-2025!
Welcome to Christ Church Episcopal Preschool! We are an active ministry of Christ Church Episcopal. Our Mission Statement: Christ Church Episcopal Preschool provides a nurturing, developmentally appropriate Christian environment for children as they become independent lifelong learners.
Now accepting applications for 2024-2025!
Our theme-based curriculum introduces developmentally appropriate preschool skills such as letter, letter sounds, and number recognition using a multi-sensory approach. Our program offers a balance of free centers, creative art, dramatic play, physical movement and recreation, story times, and music, within both small group and whole class experiences. The curriculum includes free and directed exploration to encourage and develop a love of life-long learning. Chapel is a part of our weekly schedule and parents are invited and encouraged to share this part of the preschool experience with their child.
Meets Monday and Tuesday or Wednesday and Thursday (9am to 12 noon). Must be 2 by 12/31/24. Children do not need to be potty trained.
Meets Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (9am to 12 noon). Must be 3 by 12/31/24. Children must be fully potty trained.
Meets Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday (9am to 12 noon). Must be 4 by 12/31/24.
Meets Monday through Friday (9am to 12 noon). Must be 5 by 9/30/24 or attended a PreK class..
On and off campus field trips are included in our program. Programs include; Henrico County Police ("Stranger Danger" for 4-year olds, Bike Safety- all students), Henrico County Fire Department, Fall Festival, Halloween Parade, Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Maymont, Dental Hygienist, Bus Safety Awareness for rising prekindergarten's, Native American visitor, Henrico County Bookmobile, and our year end pizza party and performer.
The alphabet come alive for our three-year olds, using puppets and songs to introduce the letters and sounds of the alphabet. We believe children learn best through song and play!
The Handwriting Without Tears teaches children how to build and write uppercase letters using a hands-on, multi-sensory approach. Children are also introduced to lower case letters. This program creates an optimal learning experience for the preschool child!
The PreK classes are developing an auditory discrimination, an awareness of how letters and words are used in language. The children are learning to identify rhyming words, beginning, middle, and ending sounds, words that include the same sound, matching sounds to letters of the alphabet, by using interactive activities and lively and silly songs. An engaging and fun way to teach developmentally appropriate pre-reading skills!
Math Their Way is an activity centered early childhood and elementary math program. The curriculum uses concrete materials, helping children gain a better understanding of mathematical patterns. Children are actively learning through fun and exploration.
Chapel is attended weekly by our students in the church sanctuary. Each class is designed to introduce spiritual awareness at the preschool level. The children learn about God's unconditional love through songs and prayers. "Let Your Light Shine" - Matthew 5:16.
Organized music and movement class is attended weekly for 25 minutes. Preschoolers develop an appreciation of music through singing, creative movement, and rhythm instruments. Musical performances are held at Christmas and in the spring.
All 2 year old children are screened annually using the ASQ scientific-based questionnaire.
(Phonological Awareness Literacy Screening) PALS is a measure of the young child's knowledge of important emergent literacy fundamentals. Four year old children are screened in the fall. The results obtained helps to guide the teacher’s instruction throughout the year. Children are screened again in the spring.
All 3 year old children are screened annually by the Scottish Rite Language Center Speech and Language Pathologists.
Lunch Bunch is offered to 3-year old through PreK classes. Lunch Bunch is offered every Thursday from 12:00-1:30. Children bring their lunch. Additional fee required.
As I sit here and type this, tears are forming. There are no words to describe my appreciation for what my children were able to experience this year at your school. They have a love and joy for school because of the loving environment you and the teachers have created. My child has done so much better than anything I had expected.
Raising six children, living in different states, attending many different private and public schools; I have never seen or experienced a place like CCEP. I am able to see the joy on the twins' faces when they come to school each morning. Today my husband got to witness them in their classroom. He called me right after and was overjoyed with his morning there with them. He saw what I see every morning. We are both so thankful to have found CCEP for them!
I think the parent-school communication is great. I love all the opportunities for events and parent volunteers. I wish I could help more!
The endless compassion, profound innovation, and a deep resourcefulness are all over shadowed by their abiding love and care for our children.
Emily McKinney is a graduate of the College of William and Mary with a double major in Elementary Education and English, and a graduate of the University of Virginia with a Masters in Public School Administration. This is Emily’s first year as director with Christ Church Episcopal Preschool and her tenth year being part of the school community as parent, LightKeepers Coordinator, Bike-A-Thon coordinator, face painter extraordinaire, and Board of Directors Member-At- Large. This is her twenty seventh year of working with school aged children as teacher, administrator, and most recently willing volunteer and parent. Helping children develop their creativity, social and emotional skills, and play skills is her passion. As a former elementary school principal, her mission to ensure students are ready for the elementary year challenges is close to her heart. Emily is grateful for the opportunity to partner with families throughout their preschool experience to develop core memories and experiences to serve them for a lifetime. As director, she endeavors to preserve the strong sense of community and commitment to student learning through our thriving Christian setting by creating innovative learning environments based in caring. Emily is happily married with two proud CCEP graduates, and enjoys reading, traveling, and volunteering in her children’s schools, but is happiest when found on a beach surrounded by laughing family and playing children.
This is Kristy's 9th year at CCEP and her 11th year teaching two-year-olds. She enjoys creating an environment that inspires children and fosters a love of learning. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Family and Community Services with a minor in Psychology. Kristy is married with two children.
Leigh Ann is in her 12th year at CCEP. She has her Master's degree in teaching, coupled with a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and management. She brings to the classroom 15 years of experience working with preschool and elementary-aged students, and 12 years of an auditing career before staying home to raise her family of three children.
This is Damaris' 2nd year teaching at CCEP but has been connected to the preschool since 2018 as a parent and substitute teacher. She has a Masters in Communication Sciences from Mexico's Monterrey Institute of Technology and almost 20 years of teaching experience. She looks forward to encouraging her class to enjoy a lifetime of learning! Damaris is married with 4 children.
This is Marcie's 5th year at CCEP as a teacher and holds a BA in Human and Community Services. During the pandemic she supported the CCEP team as a substitute while juggling virtual school with her own children. She has spent the past 7 years in early childhood education. Marcie hopes to play an important role in teaching her class the lesson of independence, kindness and creativity. She is married with 2 children.
This is Kendra’s 3rd year teaching at CCEP. She is a former CCEP parent and beloved member of the CCEP family! She enjoys working with preschool aged children and is passionate about finding creative ways to foster independence and help develop critical thinking skills. Kendra strives to make sure that every child in her class feels heard and understands that their feelings, thoughts and opinions are valuable. Kendra is married with two children.
This is Ashley’s 3rd year teaching at CCEP and she is no stranger to our preschool as her twins are both graduates! She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and a minor in Spanish. She spent 11 years employed as an elementary school teacher where she worked with students from varying abilities and backgrounds.
Becka is a graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing Management and a minor in Communications. This is her 1st year teaching at CCEP, but she is no stranger to the preschool classroom having taught for 4 years. She is a mom of 3 and spends her time running between fields, gyms and athletic competitions with her kids and husband. She is thrilled to be working with Ms. Bradley!
This is Tracy’s first year teaching at CCEP but as a mom of 3 CCEP graduates and frequent substitute, she is a very familiar face on campus. She attended UVA for undergrad and earned her Master’s in Psychology from George Mason. Tracy is looking forward to give her class the best preschool experience and making sure they have fun every day!
Kristin graduated from James Madison University and has been with us for 13 years in our 5 Day PreK class and our 4 year old class. She taught in Hanover county public elementary schools for 10 years and is Special Education certified. She brings expertise, enthusiasm, and a love for working with the preschool aged child. Kristin is married with 3 children.
Rebecca has been on our team for 3 years holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology and a Master of Science in Criminal Justice in 2005 from Virginia Commonwealth University. Rebecca brings 9 years of experience as a social worker where she provided education, referrals, and safety assessments to families and children. She loves working with preschool-aged children and is most excited about providing a safe, nurturing and fun environment for them to learn. She is the mother of 2 children.
Angie graduated from the Pennsylvania State University with a BA in Advertising and a minor in Business/Liberal arts. Angie is in her 6th year at CCEP. She brings so much joy and energy to our PreK class. She understands the value of children learning through hands-on play and truly enjoys working with preschool aged children. Angie is married and a mother of two children.
Kristy graduated from Virginia Tech with a Bachelor's degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. Previously, she was an assistant in the Pre-K class and she loves being with Mrs. Fairman and the Happy Hoppers! Kristy is married and a mother of two girls.
This is Melissa’s 1st year at CCEP! She is a VCU graduate with a Masters of Teaching degree. She has taught 1st grade and is looking forward to her Pre-K class! She is passionate about learning through art, music, movement and equal parts student directed exploration and teacher directed learning. Melissa is married with three children and 3 Holland Lop bunnies!
This is Shawn's 1st year at CCEP! She studied music in college and has taught music and art classes for both children and adults. In her spare time, she volunteers for a local non-profit bringing art to various groups in the Richmond Metro area. Shawn is married with two children and is looking forward to sharing her passion for children’s art with her class and their families!
Laurie, a 2011 Gilman Teacher of the Year award winner, graduated from Virginia Tech and brings over 26 years of teaching experience to Christ Church Episcopal Preschool This is her 7th year as our lead JK 5-Day teacher. Laurie is dedicated to creating a stimulating, hands-on learning environment and helping provide children with a solid educational foundation.
This is Margaret's 3rd year at CCEP! After graduating from Longwood College, she spent almost 30 years as an elementary school teacher and librarian. She is married and has 2 sons.
Kristin brings 22 years of accounting experience to Christ Church Episcopal Church Preschool. She is well versed in accounting practices, has been employed with Arthur Anderson, CarMax, Genworth, Performance Group, and Apex, in addition to several other small firms. Kristin is married with three children, is an avid marathon runner, and is a board member of the Gayton PTA.
Jimmy has been sexton at Christ Church Episcopal for 16 years. He maintains the preschool in addition to the church building and grounds and keeps things running smoothly. He is a willing helper and a knowledgeable jack of all trades.
This is Heather's 2nd year teaching music Christ Church Episcopal Preschool. She is passionate about exposing our preschoolers to different styles of music, the art of singing, technical musical concepts, and most importantly, a love of working with the early childhood child!
Father Ken Malcolm is the new Rector of Christ Church Episcopal! He has served parishes and dioceses in Texas, Colorado, and as Program Director for the Diocese of Virginia. We are looking forward to seeing him on campus!
Meg holds a BA in Foreign Languages from George Mason University with a concentration in Spanish. Before joining our team, Meg worked as an event planner, preschool teacher, and taught English internationally to underprivileged children. Meg is in her 5th year at CCEP. She has two children and 2 dogs and enjoys being outdoors, photography and pickleball.
Christ Church is committed to being the heart and hands of Jesus. Christ Church Episcopal works closely with the following organizations: CARITAS, Hope for Humanity, The Micah Initiative, The Sophie House, Rebuilding Together, FeedMore, Rise Against Hunger, CrossOver Heatlcare Ministry, Episcopal Relief & Development, and Blood Drives.