Our Lady of Mercy School

Our Lady of Mercy preschool…

is a Diocesan school under the direction of the Office of Catholic Schools and  fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and certified by the Western Catholic Education Association.  We are licensed by Community Care Licensing and meet strict standards for health and safety.  Our program interprets the general goals of early childhood education as being primarily the development of the whole child and we are committed to provide a safe, happy and loving environment where religious and academic foundations for future learning take place.  Our program is influenced by the philosophy of the existing school and the needs of the Catholic community it serves.  We are a ministry to families and are dedicated to providing a quality Catholic preschool program.

Philosophy

Our Lady of Mercy Preschool is dedicated to the care of children regardless of race, religion and ethnic origin.  A Catholic environment is fostered which respects the individuality of the child and accepts each child as a unique gift from God with different learning styles and growth patterns.  Children at OLM preschool grow, learn and play in a nurturing setting.  Our program provides a routine-based classroom experience which promotes independence, responsibility and respect.  Through planned curriculum activities and hands-on exploration children develop a strong sense of self.  OLM preschool is committed to nurture each child’s spiritual, cognitive, physical, social and emotional development.

A Catholic preschool education…

develops a love of Jesus and a knowledge of a presence of God in the lives of the children it serves.  Foundations are set in the Catholic faith as children experience positive interaction with Christian adult role models.  Parents want their child to be cared for by teachers who support their family values,  recognizing parents as the primary educators of their children.  The preschool staff will take the role as facilitator and guide children in the learning process.  Our curriculum incorporates the liturgical calendar and monthly themes include elements of religious education appropriate for preschoolers.  Our pre-kindergarten class attends Mass with students in our K-8 the first Friday of each month.

Each month our teachers distribute a newsletter discussing classroom events offered throughout the month.  The preschool vice principal distributes a newsletter detailing school wide activities on upcoming events.

Parent teacher conferences are held mid-year, but our teachers and vice principal are available to speak with you regarding your child as needed.

Preschool Operation

Our Lady of Mercy Preschool began as an extension to the K-8 program in 1971 serving children 2 1/2 to 6 years.

Our preschool classrooms are divided into two age groups: a two 1/2 to three year old classes and pre-kindergarten classes.  Each preschool session time period is from 8:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M.  Parents may choose a two to five day per week preschool program. In addition to preschool, we offer an extended care program for preschool students from 7:00 – 5:30.  A summer enrichment day care program is offered in the months of June and July. 

OLM preschool students are given preference priority registration towards admission to OLM kindergarten program.

All staff members meet the requirements for preschool teachers in the State of California and the Diocese of Fresno.  Preschool abides by all the Our Lady of Mercy school policies and rules.

Curriculum
The curriculum is child-centered and focuses upon developmentally appropriate learning activities which are designed to nurture the total child.

The daily schedule is planned to provide a balance of activities involving:
Indoor/outdoor
Quiet/active
Individual/large group/small group
Large muscle/small muscle
Child initiated/staff initiated

We provide learning opportunities and developmentally appropriate activities and materials that are selected to achieve the following goals:
Active faith-filled children who respect each person as a unique special individual created by God.  They learn to demonstrate this through, honesty, sharing and concern.
Foster positive self-concept
Develop social skills
Encourage children to think, reason, question and experiment
Encourage language development and skills
Enhance physical development and skills
Encourage and demonstrate sound health, safety, and nutritional practices
Encourage creative expression
Respect cultural diversity of staff and children
Knowledge and appreciation of the arts are included as basic elements in daily activities with hands on art, music and drama opportunities.
Include children with disabilities or other special needs.

The preschool staff collaborates with the kindergarten and first grade teachers in establishing assessment guidelines for promotion as well as to establish a strong, developmentally appropriate curriculum that flows from preschool into our kindergarten program.  Our school librarian helps to instill in students a love of reading and appreciation of literature through book selection.

Daily Schedule

7:00-8:00  Arrival for daycare.  Health check.

8:00-8:10  Greet children.

8:10-8:30  Morning prayer.  Circletime.

8:30-9:30  Learning centers.   Academic readiness.  Arts and crafts. 

9:30-10:00  Outside play.

10:00-10:20  Morning nutrition break.

10:20-10:40  Storytime.

10:40-10:50  Show and tell.  (Teachers will schedule date)

10:50-11:05  SPARK Program

11:05-11:30  Lunch Break

11:30  Preschool dismissal.

11:30-12:30  Outside play/ Naptime.

12:30-2:00  Quiet centers/Naptime.

2:00-2:30   Naptime over.

2:30-3:15  Outside play.

3:15-3:40  Nutrition break.

3:40-4:30  Outside play.

4:30-5:30  Learning centers.  Storytime/music.

5:30  Daycare ends.                           

Health and Safety
The health and safety are a paramount concern.  Each child has a health evaluation by accepted medical personnel along with immunization record. Emergency contact information is on file and each teacher has a copy in each classroom.  All teachers and most aides are CPR/First aid certified. One staff member is certified to assist with aid with asthmatic children.  First aid supplies are available in all classroom.  Fire, earthquake and lockdown drills are scheduled routinely and staff members are trained to know the evacuation plans.

Parent Participation
Parents are encouraged to participate in many of the preschool and school activities.  Parents who assist in the classrooms are fingerprinted and cleared by the Department of Justice and have to take a Safe Environment class.  Teachers also send home program learning activities to encourage parents to work and read to their children.  Preschool parents are encouraged to join and participate in the school board and parent club activities.