Gethsemane's Lake Area Discovery Center (Preschool Program)

Gethsemane's Lake Area Discovery Center (LADC) is a nonprofit Christian-based early childhood experience for children age three to five years. LADC seeks to support parents and children through a creative environment that promotes and teaches Christian values, honors diversity and fosters fellowship within the total community. This unique partnership between Gethsemane and the Lake Area Discovery Center provides program options September through the first week of June.

Lake Area Discovery Center only hires licensed, four-year degreed early-childhood or kindergarten certified lead teachers who design classroom environments using a "center" approach to learning. Children move between learning centers.

This is a licensed program. Our facilities and all of our teachers meet state licensing requirements by the Department of Human Services. LADC partners with Gethsemane's Children & Family Ministries to co-plan three family events and Vacation Bible School (VBS).

Program Options and Costs

Discovery Classes

A hands-on classroom experience designed for the child who is 3 or 4 years old.

Offered:	Tuesday/Thursday	9:00-11:30 am
	Tuesday/Thursday	12:30 - 3:00 pm
	Monday/Wednesday/Thursday	12:30 - 3:00 pm  (multi-age class)
Cost:	2 days per week:	$125 / month
	3 days per week:	$145 / month

Kinderstart Class

A hands-on classroom experience designed for the 4 or 5-year old child who is ready for more days of school per week. The additional days are spent on furthering the students' Kindergarten readiness skills, one-on-one time with teachers, and social experiences.

Offered:	Monday through Thursday, Friday optional	9:00-11:30 am
Cost:	3 days per week:	$145 / month
	4 days per week:	$200 / month
	5 days per week:	$220 / month

Lunch Bunch Buddies

An extended-day opportunity for 3, 4, 5 and 6-year olds to bring a bag lunch or purchase hot lunch and stay for an afternoon of fun enrichment activities with friends. The daily focus for Lunch Bunch rotates between literacy, science and Bible-based curriculum.

Offered:	Monday through Friday	11:30 am - 3:00 pm
Cost:	Per day attended a week:	$50 / month
	Example: two afternoons per week:	$100 / month

Before and After School Care

Before and after school care is available through the Gethsemane Extended Adventure Program for children age 3 through eighth grade.

Sample of Daily Schedule

9:00 am	or	12:30 pm	Children arrive
9:15 am		12:45 pm	Circle Time (calendar/weather, story time)
9:30 am		1:00 pm	Learning Center Time - children explore the learning centers throughout the classroom: Sensory; Art; Books/Language; Housekeeping/Dramatic Play; Computer; Large Motor; Cognitive/Table Toys; Writing Table; Music
10:30 am		2:00 pm	Transition Time: Music & Movement; Math Bag; Story; etc.
10:35 am		2:05 pm	Snack Time / Individualized Cooking
10:50 am		2:20 pm	Conversation Time (small group concepts)
11:05 am		2:35 pm	Large Muscle Time (Gym and/or Outside Play)
11:30 am		3:00 pm	Children Picked-Up

Areas of Focus

Monday / Tuesday	Letter of the Week
Wednesday	Science Curriculum
Thursday/ Friday	Rotation Days (Children move in small groups of 10 rotating between 4 stations that may include: Creative Art, Story & Library, Large Muscle and Individualized Cooking)
Monthly	Intro to Spanish!
	Worship Time (Bible-based lesson)
	"Miss Merry Music Maker" Music Teacher Visits
	Field Trips (Bussed offsite and Special Guests onsite)
	Community Service Projects
	Family Events
	Library Check-Out
	Library Check-Out
	Outdoor Fun!

Communication

We use the following types of communication to keep you informed of preschool activities:

• Monthly newsletters & calendars
• The LADC website
• Fieldtrip information fliers
• Weekly notes from teachers
• "Peek of the Day" curriculum notes from teachers

LADC's Early Childhood Mission Statement

We, as part of the early childhood community of Maplewood, seek to support parents and children through a creative environment that promotes and teaches Christian values, honors diversity and fosters fellowship within the total community.

Program Philosophy

Children entering LADC programs have already established foundations of their personalities. Future growth stems from these early years. One to five year olds bring themselves, as well as part of their home, to the school as they begin this new experience. The teachers in LADC strive to give children the necessary help to build bridges between their home and school lives, providing them an environment which fosters the child's emotional, social, spiritual, intellectual and physical development.

Enrollment

Enrollment begins in January with members of Gethsemane and current families receiving priority placement. Students may enroll any time during the year if spots are available. Information is available at Gethsemane's: Lake Area Discovery Center, including a "Complete Program Booklet" and registration form. Please contact our Site-Director listed below to schedule a visit to our classrooms.

Contact Information

For additional information contact our Gethsemane Site Director:

Chris Jorissen
651-739-7540 ext. 321 or
chrisjorissen@ladcfamilies.org