St. Elizabeth Early Childhood Center (ECC) is a ministry of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.
St. Elizabeth Preschool and Early Learning Center is an active and positive environment for quality early childhood education in the Waldo/Brookside area. Closely connected to St. Elizabeth School and Parish we serve approximately ninety 3-5 year olds. Highly qualified staff and a low teacher to student ratio set the stage for social, emotional and academic growth.
St. Elizabeth Preschool utilizes research based educational practices along with brain based learning strategies to offer curricular content of high interest to young learners and always with developmental appropriate guidelines in mind. Children learn through play, independent work/skill building, small group instruction, centers, art, music, and physical education.
We partner with Rockhurst University to provide support in speech and occupational therapy through direct interaction with students and a collegial exchange. Along with a Catholic/ Christian atmosphere we offer the Second Step program developed by the Committee for Children to provide real-life social emotional training and education for students.
Teachers provide a variety of options for students to explore the world around them. Teacher directed and student selected activities are part of each day’s activities so the that children have many options to grow, be challenged, and develop a love of learning.
Our ECC, through positive interaction between caregiver and your child, strives to reach the whole child – socially, emotionally, cognitively, physically and spiritually.
Social: to help children feel comfortable in school, trust their new environment, make friends and feel they are a part of the group. We want to provide positive experiences in a classroom setting for the development of self-esteem and social competence. We provide opportunities for learning in a group, taking turns, sharing classroom materials and following directions.
Emotional: to help children experience pride and self-confidence, to develop independence and self-control, to have a positive attitude toward life and to make better connections with others. We want to expand their understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Cognitive: to help children become confident learners and to acquire foundational skills that lead to the ability to solve problems, ask questions and use words to describe their ideas, observations and feelings.
Physical: to help children increase their large and small muscle skills and feel confident about what their bodies can do. We want to encourage appropriate independence in children through the use of routine tasks and self-help skills.
Spiritual: to help children grow in their knowledge of God’s love for them. We believe it is our work to nurture a relationship of caring and faith as partners with parents of the children we serve.
Pre-School
Please click here for Early Childhood enrollment information.
The teachers provide and support a safe environment where children can continue their academic, social, emotional, physical and spiritual development. The classroom is a fun, adventurous place to be, where children are surrounded by experienced and loving teachers.
Please click here for the Pre-K standards from the Kansas-St. Joseph Diocese.
Kindergarten
Please click here for Kindergarten enrollment information.
The kindergarten experience at St. Elizabeth School provides opportunities for student growth and success in a variety of ways. We encourage problem solving skill development for both mathematical and social challenges. Center time allows for students to play and interact with their peers while also strengthening fine motor skills. Guided instruction is given to students at all levels in both reading and math. Outdoor play time allows for growth in gross motor skills and team cooperative play. In addition, students partake in P. E., music, art, Spanish, library and computer time at the main school building.
Please click here for the Kindergarten standards from the Kansas City-St. Joseph Diocese.
Enrollment is open to children *3 to 5 years of age, regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, or gender. (*Children may start school provided they will have their 3rd birthday by December 31 of that year and are fully potty trained.)
Click here for the Pre-School 2019-2020 Handbook.