Preschool at Saint Anthony's

A comprehensive preschool program

Welcome to the Saint Anthony of Padua Preschool, our goal is to foster a sense of community for your entire family. Our school curriculum is based on the Virginia Foundation Blocks of Early Learning, Diocesan Comprehensive Standards as well as the Handwriting Without Tears Program for developing a healthy and whole child. Our philosophy of educating your child; physically, socially, academically, and spiritually ensures that our students have the necessary skills for a successful transition to the elementary years at Saint Anthony’s school.

Our youngest Preschool classes are on the ground level of the school with easy access to an age-appropriate playground. Each class has a full-time teacher and an assistant to care for the students.

Our Preschool Team

Quick FACTS

Half-day, school-day and daycare options available.
The youngest students must have turned 2 ½ by the first day of school.
The cut-off for all other age groups is September 30.
We follow a play-based curriculum based on the Virginia Department of Educations guidelines available on the state website: https://www.doe.virginia.gov/early-childhood/curriculum/index.shtml

Our Story

The preschool wing was constructed in 2019, out of former conference rooms.

We designed a fresh, clean and inviting space for our youngest students to feel safe, loved and engaged in active learning. They also enjoy their own dedicated playground adjacent to the preschool classrooms, with its own secure entrance.

Our space serves Children from 2.5 years old to children turning 5 years old.

Meet The Classes

Junior Kindergarten

Taught by Fiona Lewsley, Preschool Director

Children should be 5 by December 31st to participate in Junior Kindergarten

Research and experience has shown that children benefit when they are given the extra time that they need to develop socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually. Our Junior Kindergarten program fosters independence in a positive environment covering the areas of self regulation, expanded attention and fine motor skills. These experiences help develop a child’s attitude about school and themselves. Our program extends past the scope of preschool providing a modified curriculum that builds a greater level of confidence in their leadership skills and builds a strong foundation for Kindergarten.

The focus of our learning curriculum targets handwriting skills to ensure students have a firm grasp of correct letter formation. Children follow daily routines and activities which are structured to build their attention spans. Science and Math are incorporated into our daily routines to engage curious minds.

Our Junior Kindergarten program is a full day program which runs between 8:00am and 3:25pm. For the class there is a 2:18 student ratio with a dedicated Teacher and Aide.

4-year-olds

Taught by Diana Caskey

Children must turn four by September 30th to be eligible for our 4 Year Old classes

In our program, 4 yr old children are provided with a variety of activities that develop kindergarten readiness. Activities build on language development, problem solving, group interaction, letter and sound recognition using the Learning Without Tears handwriting program, counting and number recognition along with small and large motor activities, dramatic play, and art. Our students learn to work cooperatively to problem solve in group activities while sharing and listening to each other. Children participate in weekly music, PE and library classes.

3-year-olds

Taught by Ms. Martinez and Mrs. Gaviria

Children must turn three by September 30th to be eligible for our 3 Year Old classes

Three-year-olds entering the program must be fully toilet trained

The three-year-old program has been created especially for developing minds. Children are encouraged to participate successfully in peer group settings and build on the social and emotional skills that they learned in the two-year-old environment. Learning objectives are carefully modified for this age group to be fun, creative building fine/gross motor skills. Topics covered include literacy, math, art, and science. In addition to their classroom time, our three-year-old’s participate in weekly Music, P.E., and Library.

2 ½ -year-olds

Taught by Tiffany Conway

Children must turn 2 ½ by the first day of school to be eligible for our 2 ½ Year Old classes

Our preschool program introduced a two-year-old program for the 2022-2023 school year. Teachers provide a learning through play environment. Each week's activities are carefully constructed to build basic social and emotional skills while introducing academic concepts.

At the two and a half -year-old level, teachers encourage children to discuss what they have seen while playing and listening to stories, building on their language skills. Following direction and understanding the concept and use of numbers introduces them to the concepts of math, physical development is encouraged on the playground, in the classroom and in our gym.