BLC PRESCHOOL
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Welcome
Welcome to Bethlehem Preschool Center! Since 1968, Bethlehem has provided quality childcare and preschool programs to the children of the Fox Valley. Through ExceleRate Illinois–– the state’s new quality recognition and improvement system for early learning and development providers––Bethlehem Preschool has been awarded the distinguished Bronze Circle of Quality. We’re proud of this honor and the quality care we provide to our families.
Our goal is to provide a warm, physically safe atmosphere of love, concern, support, and acceptance for children. The motivation for this ministry to children is the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Please take a moment to learn more about our practices below. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at 630-584-6027 or blcpreschool@bethlehemluth.org.
Christian Environment
Bethlehem Preschool Center promotes a Christian environment with emphasis on meeting the spiritual needs of each child. Our rostered leaders and preschool staff model Christian care, teaching our children how to treat others with kindness, concern, and empathy. Daily prayer and regular Bible stories are part of our programming.
Active Exploration
Research has shown that young children learn best through active exploration and interaction with adults, other children, and enrichment activities. In particular, children tend to thrive when they initiate and direct their own play and engagement. When children have adequate access to experiences that are well-matched to their levels of physical, intellectual, and social and emotional growth, natural learning occurs. Such experiences are “developmentally appropriate.”
Building a Positive Self-Image
The development of self-esteem in each child is a fundamental goal of Bethlehem Preschool Center. Children develop a positive self-image when they are given opportunities to make their own choices. Providing a variety of diverse and inclusive multicultural material and activities helps ensure the individual appropriateness of the curriculum and also enhances each child’s self-esteem and supports the integrity of the child’s family.
Preschool Ministry Team
The seven-member Preschool Ministry Team of dedicated Bethlehem Lutheran Church members composes its policy-making body. This team is part of the ministry of Bethlehem Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Preschool Ministry Team supports and advises the director in this ministry. The director is a liaison between the preschool staff, the church staff, the Congregation Council, and the Ministry Team. The director and the Ministry Team work together and continually seek to provide a well-rounded developmental program, which meets the physical, emotional, social, cognitive and spiritual needs of each child.
Explore Our Programs
We’re so glad your family is considering Bethlehem Preschool Center!
Registration is open! Please share this with friends and neighbors! You may also call the preschool to schedule a tour! We look forward to hearing from you!
We offer all-day childcare and half-day preschool programs for children ages 3–6. Our all-day program runs year-round from 6:30am–5:30pm, and our half-day preschool runs from 9–11:30am from September (the week of Labor Day) to May (the week before Memorial Day).
The Preschool Center Office is open from 8am–5pm Monday through Friday, and our staff can be reached at 630-584-6027 or blcpreschool@bethlehemluth.org. We look forward to hearing from you and answering any questions you may have!
All-Day Childcare and Preschool
6:30am–5:30pm
Year-Round
Our All-Day Childcare and Preschool provides enriching activities including child-directed play, free-choice learning centers, circle time, and outdoor recreation when the weather permits. We also have nap times and all children are provided two nutritious snacks and one lunch.
All-Day Tuition (2023-2024):
-2 full days: $120/week
-3 full days: $175/week
-4 full days: $215/week
-5 full days: $260/week
Part-time rates are also available. Please call 630-584-6027 for more information.
Half-Day Preschool (2023-2024):
8:45-11:45/9:00-11:30
Sept.-May
In our Half-Day Preschool, children learn foundational skills including early literacy, music and movement, child-directed play, and outdoor time for the development of gross motor skills. Children are also served one snack which is provided by the families on a rotational basis.
Half-Day Tuition (2023-2024):
-3’s (T, Th: 9:00-11:30), $173/month
-3’s & 4’s (M, W, F: 9:00-11:30), $225/month
-4’s & 5’s (M, T, W, Th: 8:45-11:45), $280/month
If you’d like to register your child for our All-Day or Half-Day programs, please call 630-584-6027. A registration fee will be required to reserve a spot for your child. Once a spot is secured, a registration form can be emailed or picked up at the preschool.
If you have questions or you’d like to tour our preschool, please call 630-584-6027 or email blcpreschool@bethlehemluth.org.
Where can I park for drop off or pick up?
Families in our All-Day Program may park in the upper parking lot directly across from our entrance in the Seniors & Handicap parking lot. Parents in our Half-Day Preschool program park down in the lower lot next to the playground. However, moms who are expecting, grandparents, or anyone needing extra assistance may park in the upper lot as well.
What are Bethlehem Preschool Center’s Age Requirements?
Our preschool is licensed for children ages 3-6, for both our Half-Day Preschool and All-Day Childcare and Preschool programs.
When will you announce if the school will be closing (e.g. snow days)?
As soon as St. Charles School District 303 announces that they will close due to severe weather conditions, our center will close as well. Parents will be informed through Facebook, through calling our school at 630-584-6027, and when possible, through emails.
Can I Volunteer?
We hold several fundraisers during the school year and welcome parent volunteers to make them successful. Information will be sent home when volunteers are needed. In addition, teachers would love to have parents help out with journaling in the classroom! Signup sheets will be posted by the teachers when volunteers are needed.
When are tuition payments due?
Tuition payments for families in our All-Day Preschool program are due by Wednesday each week. Tuition payments for families in our Half-Day Preschool program are due the 10th of each month. Initial payment starts in September and ends in May.
What type of payments do you accept?
At this time, we only accept cash or checks.
How do I make tuition payments?
Half-Day Preschool families make monthly payments of cash/checks, starting on the 1st up to the 10th of each month starting in September and ending in May. Families do not receive monthly tuition statements unless requested or when there’s a credit/balance on the account. Payments made after the 10th will incur a $10 late fee. Payments can be dropped off in the Tuition Mailbox outside the Preschool Office.
All-Day Preschool families make weekly payments of cash/checks, starting on Monday up to Wednesday morning of each week. Families will receive weekly tuition statements in their mailboxes. Payments made after Wednesday will incur a $10 late fee. Payments can be dropped off in the Tuition Mailbox outside the Preschool Office.
See pages 11 & 12 of our Parent Handbook for more information on tuition payments.
How can I contact my child’s teacher(s)?
Parents may email or call the Preschool if they have questions or concerns. Messages will be passed to the child’s teachers. A reply through an email or a phone call will be returned as soon as the teachers are able.
How do I communicate with my child’s teachers if I have concerns or questions?
If it’s a short question, you may certainly ask the teachers when you drop off or pick up your child. If it requires more time, you can schedule a time to meet with them either before or after class. If you prefer to email the teachers, you can email our office at blcpreschool@bethlehemluth.org. The Director will pass the email to your child’s teachers. You’re also welcome to call the Preschool Office at 630-584-6027.
See page 17 of our Parent Handbook for more information.
What are the sign in/out processes?
Parents sign-in and sign-out with the teachers or wherever the children may be at the time of pick-up (gym or outside). The teachers will carry the attendance clipboard with them when they are not in the classroom.
How do I update my emergency contact or approved pick up list information?
Emergency contacts may be updated anytime in the Preschool Office via email or by calling the preschool with the contact information.
What if my child is sick? What is your policy?
Your child should be kept home or can be sent home for preschool if he or she has the following symptoms (please see page 16 of our Parent Handbook):
- Temperature of 100 degrees or above anytime within 24 hours before school
- Vomiting anytime within 24 hours before school
- Diarrhea anytime within 24 hours before school
- Open and drainage sores
- Unknown or unfamiliar rash (need a doctor’s note to return to school)
- Red, inflamed, or drainage from eyes or ears
- Constant coughing and nasal drainage
- Signs of pain—stomach ache, headache, sore throat, etc.
- Unusual fatique, paleness, or irritability
- Any infectious disease (strep throat, pink eye, hand-foot-mouth, etc.)
Do the children go on field trips?
During the school year, we will do one off-site bus field trip. The rest of the field-trips or special programs will be done in-house monthly.
Can I bring food into the school?
Food may be brought in from the outside only when a child is celebrating a birthday or as snacks for children in the Half-Day Preschool program. Food must be store-bought and in their original packaging.
What if my child has a food allergy?
For children in our All-Day Preschool program: Our kitchen manager monitors all food allergies and does her best to accommodate the child. If allergies are severe, we may require parents to provide the meals. In that case, tuition will be reduced.
For children in our Half-Day Preschool program: Since families take turns providing snacks, they will be informed if there are food allergies and will be asked to check snack labels. Arrangements may also be made so that the child with the allergies provides their own snacks.
Do you celebrate children’s birthdays? Can I bring in treats?
You certainly may! We prefer low fat or low sugar treats that are in their original store bought packages and are unopened. Please let your child’s teachers know ahead of time so that they can plan their snacks accordingly. Birthdays are special, so the birthday child will also receive a special birthday crown to decorate and have the birthday song sung to them at snack time. (See page 17 of Parent Handbook for more information).
What kind of food do you serve (Nutritional Information)?
In the Half-Day Program, snacks are provided by the families. Low-fat and low-sugar snacks are recommended, and a “Suggested Snack List” is given to each family on the first day of school. 100% juice and water are provided by the Preschool Center. A snack chart is posted outside each classroom door for families to review what was served that day at pick-up time.
In the All-Day Program, two snacks and a lunch are provided. All meals are prepared in our kitchen licensed by the Illinois Department of Public Health and by a certified food handler. Our kitchen manager plans meals that reflect consideration for cultural and ethnic patterns, and menus are nutritionally equivalent to the requirements of the Department of Children of Family Services.
I have more questions, what should I do?
If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our Preschool Director Pong Sayasang at 630-584-6027 or at blcpreschool@bethlehemluth.org.
