Preschool at St. Patrick Catholic School
Faith-Filled Foundations for a Lifetime of Learning
At St. Patrick Catholic School, our preschool program is more than just preparation for kindergarten—it’s a joyful, faith-centered beginning to your child’s academic journey. We provide a nurturing environment where students grow spiritually, socially, emotionally, and intellectually, guided by caring teachers and rooted in Catholic values.
Our 3-year-old and 4-year-old preschool programs offer hands-on learning experiences tailored to each child’s development, using structured routines and engaging activities to build confidence, curiosity, and a love for learning.
Preschool Requirements
Pre-K 3: Must be 3 years old by September 1st and fully potty trained
Pre-K 4: Must be 4 years old by September 1st and fully potty trained
Program Highlights
We believe every family should have access to a Catholic education. If tuition feels out of reach, we encourage you to explore scholarship opportunities and parish support options available through both the Diocese of Peoria and St. Patrick Parish.
Small class sizes for individualized attention
Certified early childhood educators with strong faith and academic backgrounds
Flexible options including 3-day or 5-day programs, half-day and full-day schedules
Prayer partners with older students to foster connection and faith development
Regular communication with families to encourage home-school partnership
Weekly Mass attendance and daily prayer experiences
Safe, age-appropriate classrooms designed for exploration and growth
Preschool Curriculum
Our curriculum is thoughtfully designed to support the whole child. We focus on early academics while nurturing each child’s creativity, social-emotional growth, and spiritual development.
Centers
Daily centers provide hands-on, child-led learning. These stations may include dramatic play, building blocks, sensory bins, writing practice, and quiet reading spaces. Centers promote decision-making, cooperation, and independent thinking.
Clean Up
Children learn responsibility and teamwork as they participate in cleaning up their learning spaces each day—an important habit that encourages order, care, and gratitude.
Circle Time
This daily gathering sets the tone for the day and includes calendar activities, weather observation, student jobs, songs, and a preview of the day’s themes. It supports language development, listening skills, and a sense of community.
Language Arts
We build early literacy skills through name recognition, weekly letter study, phonemic awareness, rhyming, and sound identification. Students practice storytelling, vocabulary development, and beginning writing using a variety of materials and activities.
Religion
Our faith is central to everything we do. Children learn about God’s love through Bible stories, prayer, songs, and special liturgical celebrations. Catholic identity is gently nurtured through joyful traditions, weekly Mass attendance, and seasonal devotions.
Math
Preschoolers explore numbers, patterns, shapes, measurement, and counting in hands-on ways. Activities include sorting, graphing, counting games, and calendar work to support number recognition and problem-solving.
Science
Children develop curiosity and observational skills through age-appropriate experiments and nature-based exploration. Topics include seasons, the five senses, weather, animals, and plants.
Art & Creative Expression
Art is both expressive and educational at St. Patrick. Children paint, draw, glue, and sculpt to explore themes, practice fine motor skills, and express their creativity. Projects often connect to religious seasons or literacy topics.
Gross Motor Development
Daily physical activity builds strength, coordination, and confidence. Children participate in both structured and unstructured movement, including outdoor play, games, and movement-based songs and dances.
Story Time
Books are a treasured part of each day. Read-alouds and picture books expand vocabulary, strengthen comprehension, and help children explore emotions and ideas. Story time also reinforces classroom themes and encourages a love of reading.
Spiritual Growth Through Faith-Based Education
Our preschool students are introduced to a lifelong relationship with God. They attend Mass weekly, participate in adoration and benediction, and are gently guided in daily classroom prayer. They also engage in service projects and learn virtues such as kindness, patience, and respect—modeled by their teachers and older prayer partners.
Join Our Preschool Family
Preschool enrollment at St. Patrick is open to all families who desire a loving, Christ-centered educational experience. Our team is here to support your child every step of the way—from their first classroom moment to the joyful transition to kindergarten.
Experience St. Patrick School
Join our dedicated and supportive school family.
Discover how our mission of faith, excellence, and service shapes students into confident, compassionate leaders.
