History
GREAT BEGINNINGS PRE-SCHOOL is a non-denominational Christian early childhood program of the Presbyterian Church of Pleasantville. Great Beginnings was established in 1977 as a mission outreach of the church in response to a need for a quality cooperative nursery school in the Mount Pleasant area. It has grown from a single 3-day/week class of mixed 3 and 4 year olds with 2 teachers into separate classes for older 2's/3's and 4's each staffed by 2 teachers.
Our Mission
Our aim is to provide an atmosphere of love, acceptance, and caring which encourages the children to feel good about themselves, good about dealing with relationships, and good about the world God has given us.
Our Goals
Our trained staff has established a learning environment in which they participate as active partners in the children's activities by listening to their thoughts, supporting their ideas, helping them to resolve conflicts, providing open-ended activities, fostering independence, responsibility, and confidence, recognizing individual differences, and encouraging the exploration of new ideas.
While our curriculum does not include formal religious instruction, the inclusion of Bible stories and visits by the pastors augment the sense of Christian caring that pervades our school environment. We welcome children of all races, religions, and national origins as together we explore and learn about our wonderful world.
A Message from the Director
Great Beginnings has been part of my life for over 35 years. As a cooperating parent I observed first hand the wonderful start my children received. I eagerly joined the staff several years later as a 3's/4's teacher and moved into the position of Director/Teacher a few years after that.
Our program is continually evolving as it responds to the changes in educational theory, yet holds to the core values of providing a warm, nurturing first school experience. Our staff remains current with First Aid/CPR certification and training sessions.
Our children primarily come from the Pleasantville, Mt. Pleasant and Valhalla school districts but we often have children from the neighboring villages as well.
I look forward to meeting you and helping you decide if Great Beginnings is the right preschool program for your child.
Ruth Fischer
Our program is continually evolving as it responds to the changes in educational theory, yet holds to the core values of providing a warm, nurturing first school experience. Our staff remains current with First Aid/CPR certification and training sessions.
Our children primarily come from the Pleasantville, Mt. Pleasant and Valhalla school districts but we often have children from the neighboring villages as well.
I look forward to meeting you and helping you decide if Great Beginnings is the right preschool program for your child.
Ruth Fischer
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