Happy Day Presbyterian Preschool offers a variety educational tools which provides opportunities for children to discover the world around them through hands-on learning activities. We provide a well-educated staff and highly accredited indoor and outdoor learning environments which enable multiple enrichment activities to take place. A variety of learning objectives are provided through child-led science, math, cooking, gardening dramatic play, art, literature, storytelling, journaling, music, games, yoga, Spanish and Sign Language activities.
Happy Day will be closed from Friday, December 18th, 2008 thru January 4th, 2009. We look forward to seeing you all in the New Year! School will resume on Monday, January 5th with our regular schedule, including Early Birds, Preschool and Building Blocks. Have a safe, restful and enjoyable holiday break!
At Happy Day, you can expect your child to experience:
Math: Simple addition and subtraction utilizing everyday objects, measurement, block building which encourages spatial awareness and geometry, shapes, patterning, money, cooking
Science: Investigation and continuous exploration of children's questions and hypothesis regarding space, weather, the environment, cause and effect situations, current events and other interests of the children, cooking
Literacy: Letter and word knowledge, print-rich environment, phonics, syllable recognition and rhyming games, documentation, story writing, colors, songs, current event articles, newspapers, magazines, menus, recipes,
Art: Exploration and investigation of various art materials, individual and group artwork, week and month-long projects, interpretation of different types of art
Health/Safety: Understanding the importance of healthy practices: washing hands, potty training, group safety, indoor and outdoor safety, fire safety, dental hygiene
Gross motor skills: Jumping, skipping, hopping, climbing, upper and lower body strength
Fine motor: Hand/eye coordination, cutting, weaving, writing, woodworking
Spanish: Weekly vocabulary, conversations, songs, Group participation: Daily circle times, listening and following directions, focus, taking turns, engagement, concentration, developing friendships,
Community: Career days, guest speakers, diversity awareness, cultural traditions, geography, daily routines
Happy Day Mission Statement
Happy Day Presbyterian School is a ministry of First Presbyterian Church, sharing the love and grace of God through its preschool, reaching out to members of the Petaluma community.
The purpose of Happy Day Presbyterian School is to provide a supportive and nurturing Christian environment where the child realizes God’s love, experiencing the value and joy of playing and learning in harmony with others.
The goals of Happy Day Presbyterian School are to:
Provide an opportunity for growth and development (physically, spiritually, intellectually and socially) at the child's pace and within the love of the Christian community
Promote spiritual growth within families
Support parents in nurturing their children to become life-long learners
The School provides an environment that:
Allows each child to grow as an individual and as a member of a group
Develops both cognitive and sensory motor skills in children
Fosters problem solving and divergent thinking skills
Understands and accepts children where they are socially, emotionally, spiritually and physically
Encourages children to build the character needed in life as they become aware of self, the world and their place in it
Creates a nurturing environment where children learn Christian values through play experiences and curriculum
Encourages each child to have a "happy day" every day, interacting with peers and teachers
Encourages congregation, parents and staff to work in partnership
Provides parent and early childhood education classes
Promotes activities for family and school interaction
