Program Information

Lake Murray Presbyterian Church (LMPC) Day School serves children six weeks of age through age five years in a learning environment that is structured and age appropriate. Our wish is to continue to offer quality educational programming to all of our students, and not “day care”. Please know that we all share the commitment to teach and offer activities that will encourage your child to thrive and succeed in their social, physical, emotional, cognitive and spiritual development.
Children may attend either part-time or full-time. All children must participate in the morning program from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Extended care is available for children after 12:00 pm. During the morning hours, unit themes are followed on a weekly and monthly basis with activities planned that are developmentally appropriate. The afternoons include time for lunch, rest and less structured activities. Extracurricular classes such as soccer, dance and gymnastics are offered privately. Fees associated with extra-curricular activities are separate from tuition fees.
 
Full-time Program
The full-time program covers the hours of 7:30am – 5:30pm. Please refer to “Tuition and Fees” for specific information regarding cost for full-time.
Spaces for full-time children are either a 10 month (school year) or 12 month (Aug-Aug) space. This will be specified at the time of registration.
A child must have been present during the morning session (arriving before 11:00am) to participate in Extended Care or Extended Care Activities. During Extended Care (after 12:00 pm), there will be assigned classrooms that children will use. This room may be different from your child’s morning assigned classroom.
Each child staying for lunch should bring a lunch, including a drink. Please make sure that all bags are labeled.
Extra-curricular activities will be offered in the afternoons (i.e., golf, gymnastics, soccer, dance, etc.) for enrolled children. Please note that activities that are offered are based on interest and specific age requirements may apply to some activities. See below under Extra-Curricular Activities for more information regarding activities and cost.
 
Part-time Program
The part-time program covers the hours of 8:45 am – 12:00 pm. Please refer to “Tuition and Fees” for specific information regarding cost of Part-time.
Part-time spaces for infant, toddler and two-year-old children are: two-day space (T/Th); three-day space (M/W/F); or a five day space (M-F, based on availability). The part-time program in the three and four-year-old classrooms are five day spaces (M-F). Spaces for part-time children are 10 month spaces (school year). For those who are interested in enrolling your child in our summer program, you will need to attend a separate registration for summer.
Extended Care is available for both mornings and afternoons for an additional charge. Morning Extended Care is from 6:45 am – 8:45 am. Afternoon Extended Care is from 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm.
During Morning Extended Care, there will be designated classrooms that children will go into until their regular teachers arrive. All children who enter an Extended Care room, even with a parent, will be signed in and charged accordingly.
A child must have been present during the morning session (arriving before 11:00am) in order to participate in (afternoon) Extended Care. Please note that part-time children may not leave and return to school the same day. If using extended care, please inform your child’s teacher as early as possible to insure proper supervision. During Extended Care, there will be designated classrooms that children will use which may be different from your child’s morning classroom. Children who are not picked up by 12:05 pm will be placed in extended care and charged accordingly.
Each child staying for lunch should bring a lunch, including a drink. Please make sure that all bags are clearly labeled.
Extra-curricular activities will be offered in the afternoons (i.e., golf, gymnastics, soccer, dance, etc.) for enrolled children. Please note that activities that are offered are based on interest and specific age requirements may apply to some activities. See below under Extra-Curricular Activities for more information regarding activities and cost.
Extended Care
Extended care, which is an extension of time outside the designated part-time hours, is offered for all age groups, and is available for both mornings and afternoons. For part-time children, there is an additional charge. Morning Extended Care is from 6:45 am – 8:45 am. Afternoon Extended Care is from 12:00 pm – 5:30 pm. Please refer to “Tuition and Fees” regarding cost.
Children who are staying for lunch/rest/nap may be in a different room from their assigned morning class – depending on the number of children staying.
Please note that a child must have attended the morning session (signed in by 11:45 am) to use the afternoon extended care program. Part-time children may not leave and return in the same day for any reason, including extended care activities that are offered. The reason is for safety and to maintaining ratios.
After 1:00 pm, children who are present will go to an assigned extended care room until 6:00 pm.
 
EXTRA-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
As a service for our families, we will offer Extra-Curricular Activities during Afternoon Extended Care that are available through individual instructors/contractors (i.e., golf, soccer, dance). The cost for each activity is set by the instructors and are paid directly to instructor, separate from tuition. Many of the activities have an age requirement, so please check with the instructor before registering. We require a 24 hour notice given to the office BEFORE a child can begin an Extended Care Activity. This is to ensure the proper DSS paperwork with required signatures is completed.
Part-time children staying for an afternoon Extra-Curricular Activity will be charged from 12:00 pm until the extra- curricular activity begins. If you pick up your child directly from the activity, you will not be charged any additional fees. If the child is returned and signed back into our care (even for a minute), you will be charged the extended care rate for the additional time. For more information or questions regarding Extended Care Activities and cost, please stop by the Day School office.
Please note that there is a minimum charge of an hour for extended care, each morning and each afternoon. After the first hour, you will be charged in ½ hour increments.
 

Infant program

Our infant/nursery program is highlighted by loving caregivers focused on the individual needs of your baby.  Your baby will explore and learn in a nurturing environment that provides the warmth and security he or she is used to receiving at home. Infants explore the world around them through their senses and physical actions.  They are born curious and ready to learn.  Our nursery program is designed to develop your child’s natural curiosity and emerging skills with various age appropriate experiences and exercises which help your child progress at his/her own speed. Language development is crucial during the infant period, even before they acquire noticeable verbal skills.  Infants have their own, ever-changing form of communication, which we actively encourage.  We even begin to teach American Sign Language, which helps the nonverbal child communicate and helps to facilitate basic needs communication. Infants need individualized care and depend on nurturing relationships for positive physical, social, emotional and cognitive growth. They develop best when they have a trusted caregiver who can read their cues and respond to their needs. Our caregivers ensure that each child in their care feels secure and comforted. Rest assured that you are leaving your child in loving hands. Goals:

  • Interact with familiar adults
  • Lift head
  • See objects and follow motions
  • Begin to eat baby food
  • Roll over, sit up, stand with assistance, walk with support
  • Show emotions
  • Begin to communicate both verbally and nonverbally
  • Copy sounds and gestures of others

Activities:

  • Playing with age appropriate toys
  • Imitating and pretending
  • Enjoying stories and books
  • Connecting with music and movement
  • Creating with simple art activities
  • Tasting new foods
  • Exploring water and sand play
  • Outdoor time \

Toddler program

Toddlers are very busy exploring the world around them.  They are developing independence every day, an experience which is both exciting and challenging.  Toddlers are curious and energetic, and enjoy interacting with other children their age.  Young children learn most through play and every ‘play’ experience in our toddler classrooms is an opportunity for learning and development. Language development is also extremely important at this age.  Between 12-24 months a toddler begins to express himself/herself with words.  The children are spoken to frequently, and we encourage them to engage in conversation with their friends and teachers during play and learning experiences. Daily routines are opportunities to build positive relationships with adults and children and to promote trust.  These routines include hellos and goodbyes, diapering and toileting, snacking and mealtimes, nap times, and getting dressed. Goals:

  • Improve eye/hand coordination
  • Develop gross and fine motor skills
  • Explore art through color and texture
  • Name body parts
  • Identify animal sounds with correct animals
  • Identify and name familiar objects
  • Sort and group objects
  • Form phrases and small sentences
  • Begin to recognize that other people have feelings
  • Use body to express emotions
  • Begin increasing attention span
  • Develop healthy toilet habits

Activities:

  • Early literacy and language experiences
  • Imaginative play
  • Science and math discovery
  • Blocks and transportation
  • Fine and sensory motor activities
  • Music and movement
  • Arts and crafts
  • Stories, nursery rhymes
  • Simple finger plays
  • Outdoor play
  • Seasonal activities

Two-year-old program

Two is a big year.  The period from 24 to 36 months is filled with exploration, questioning, discovery and determination to find meaning in events, objects and words.  Toddlers are entering a new phase of mental activity through their experimentation with objects, language, and social interactions.  Our two-year-old program responds to their growing energy and curiosity with fun learning activities and creative playtimes that encourage exploration while introducing structure and an established routine. Goals:

  • To be loved and accepted for themselves
  • Learn to play together (share)
  • Begin to develop an attention span
  • Develop a love for books
  • Develop a love for music and movement
  • Name primary colors
  • Identify shapes and colors
  • Count 1-10
  • Begin to group 1 to 5 objects
  • Follow age appropriate directions
  • Experiment with different art objects
  • Speak in sentences

Activities:

  • Listen to stories (books, Bible stories)
  • Music and movement class
  • Look at books independently
  • Play with blocks and puzzles
  • Housekeeping play areas, dress-up
  • Art: drawing, coloring, painting, cutting, playdough
  • Observe holidays and birthdays
  • Sensory table with sand, water, etc.
  • Outdoor play

Three-year-old program

Three-year-old preschoolers are playful, curious, and creative.  Their world is full of exciting and interesting ideas to explore and learn about.  The three-year-old program at LMPC fosters children’s developmental and academic growth in a safe and supportive environment. Opportunities for conversation, exploration, and peer interaction are provided in our classrooms each day.  Lesson plans are created around monthly thematic units and are implemented through activities that focus on the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth of each child.   Our program also helps to foster your child’s spiritual growth through daily prayer, weekly visits to Chapel, reading bible stories, and by learning bible verses and songs each month.   Goals:

  • Develop a positive self-image
  • Develop skills of sharing and manners
  • Develop an attention span
  • Develop a love for books and music
  • Develop fine motor skills, gross motor skills and listening skills
  • Learn basic safety rules
  • Show initiative in selecting and creating activities
  • Maintain interest in self-selected activities and play
  • Understand how to accomplish a simple task
  • Organize actions and materials needed for play in learning centers
  • Seek help when encountering a problem in play
  • Talk about prior events and personal experiences
  • Use prior knowledge to understand new experiences
  • Predict possible outcomes related to cause and effect
  • Continue identifying colors and shapes
  • Recognize numbers 1-10 and what these numerals stand for
  • Follow age appropriate directions
  • Experiment with different art media

  Activities:

  • Listen to stories (books, Bible stories)
  • Music and movement class
  • Look at books independently
  • Play with blocks and puzzles
  • Housekeeping play areas, dress-up
  • Art: drawing, coloring, painting, cutting, playdough
  • Observe holidays and birthdays
  • Sensory table with sand, water, etc.
  • Outdoor play

Pre-K, age 4

The Pre-K year is all about learning while having fun!  Four-year-olds need preparation for the challenges of kindergarten, but still learn best through play.  At this age children are developing more intimate peer relationships, asking questions about the world around them and developing self-discipline and control.  Our Pre-K program is designed to offer a balance of free play and structured individual and group activities.  We offer play centers in the areas of reading and pre-reading, science, math, large and small motor skills, dramatic play, and creative arts.  Our lesson plans are created around weekly and monthly themes while still allowing the flexibility needed to address each child’s individual interests, abilities, and learning styles.   Our program also helps to foster your child’s spiritual growth through daily prayer, weekly visits to Chapel, reading bible stories, and by learning bible verses and songs each month.   Goals:

  • Develop independence
  • Improve sharing and listening skills
  • Improve gross and fine motor skills
  • Experiment with and develop creativity with art materials
  • Learn and develop perceptual and conceptual skills such as big/little, small/large, beginning/end, first/middle/last
  • Identify basic colors, begin to distinguish color shades
  • Identify shapes (circle, square, triangle, rectangle, oval, heart, diamond, star)
  • Improve the ability to cut with scissors including following lines and circles
  • Construct  puzzles with 10 – 20 pieces
  • Develop left-to-right progression skills
  • Learn the roles of community helpers
  • Learn how animals live and how they affect our environment
  • Count to at least 20 and identify numerals 0 – 20
  • Demonstrate one-to-one correspondence
  • Perfect hopping, galloping, and skipping skills
  • Identify body parts including elbow, ankle, brow, and hip
  • Engage in storytelling, dramatics, and reading books
  • Improve manners and thinking skills
  • Identify all upper- and lowercase letters
  • Learn letter names and sounds
  • Print their first and last name
  • Practice writing with correct number and letter formation

  Activities:

  • Daily circle/calendar time
  • Show and tell/share time
  • Multiple story times each day
  • Weekly participation in Chapel
  • Weekly music and movement class
  • Weekly German language class
  • Arts and crafts: drawing, coloring, painting, cutting and pasting, playdough, etc.
  • Outdoor play: sidewalk chalk, tricycles, playground equipment, etc.
  • Indoor play: blocks, puzzles and games, housekeeping and dress up, dramatic play, audio books and, sensory table with sand, water, etc.