St. Anne Preschool

St. Anne Preschool
By Shelley T. Hudson

One institution that may make the decision for your child’s preschool through 8th grade education a little easier is St. Anne School in Laguna Niguel. It’s premium academic experience with equal emphasis on all aspects of a child’s development—cognitive, social, emotional and spiritual—demonstrates a well-rounded approach to addressing the needs of the whole child. By providing family-friendly flexibility, a variety of extra-curricular activities, state-of-the-art technology and competitive pricing, St. Anne proves to be an exceptional value as well.

Head of St. Anne School Randy Adams and Preschool Director Diane Banker describe their programs as progressive and dynamic. Banker is enthusiastic when outlining the fully-accredited preschool program. Its mission is to provide a “developmentally appropriate” course of learning that addresses a child’s individual needs. The preschool environment is designed to be equally academic and social, with an emphasis on the teacher-child relationship. “St. Anne Preschool is a happy place where children know they are loved and respected,” says Banker.

A variety of scheduling options are available at St. Anne. The five-day preschool program “provides continuity and exposure to the full spectrum of programs,” says Banker, “but we offer two-day and three-day programs as well,” to optimize flexibility for parents. St. Anne even has a drop-in option for parents who want to add days to their child’s schedule. The 92% retention rate from preschool to kindergarten suggests that Banker’s team has created a successful formula that has struck a positive chord with parents.

Philosophy:
St. Anne Preschool provides a warm, nurturing and loving environment that focuses on the whole child. The concept of learning by doing, by exploration and through hands on experience are fundamental to its mission. Banker believes that children are natural learners and the best way to teach them is to build on play and their natural learning styles.

Curriculum:
The preschool offers a high-quality developmentally appropriate program for children ages 2.9 to 6 years of age. The program implements a curriculum that is consistent with the school’s goals for children and incorporates concepts and skills to promote development and learning. The daily schedule provides opportunities for children to learn individually and in groups according to their developmental needs and interests. The school provides the kind of variety and stimulation children need throughout the areas of language, math, science, art, music, drama and motor skills. Preschoolers also have fun, hands-on extra-curricular choices in cooking, art, yoga, Spanish and jewelry making that are tailored toward thirsty, young minds. Although St. Anne welcomes students of all faiths, the Catholic fundamentals of character-based religious education are also an integral part of the curriculum.

Technology:
Adams cites St. Anne’s implementation of the latest technology for educational institutions as a competitive edge. Everything from class assignments to lunch menus can be readily accessed online. Adams plans to expand the use of this invaluable tool in the coming years as an extension of St. Anne’s “partnership with parents.” In preschool classrooms, computers are introduced at age appropriate levels as an educational tool for developing core skills.

Day Care:
Working parents also get a helping hand with St. Anne’s on-campus Day Care facility. The option to drop kids off as early as 7 a.m. and pick them up as late as 6 p.m. offers parents a convenient and seamless transition along with the peace of mind that their child is in a safe environment. With drop-in, part-time and full-time options available, parents have the flexibility of utilizing the service to suit their schedules. In addition to supervised activities and play, the Day Care Program offers assistance with homework, allowing children to maximize their extended time on campus.

Open House:
St. Anne School’s Admissions Open House is Thursday, January 19th from 9 to 11 a.m. For a private tour and for more information about St. Anne, please call 949.276.6783.

St. Anne School
32451 Bear Brand Road
Laguna Niguel
949.276.6700
www.st-anne.org