About Early Preschool


Foundation & Values

Foundation

First Presbyterian Early Preschool values all people as unique children of God. We endeavor to be a community of life-long learners where children, families, and relationships are respected, nurtured, and highly esteemed. God’s grace is the foundation of this community.

Values

  1. Learning Through Play: Powerful Interactions
  2. Outdoor Exploration: Expanding the Horizons
  3. The Whole Child: Emergent Curriculum
  4. Community: Building Life-Long Learners
  5. Family Engagement: Connecting Through Relationships

Download a PDF of our complete Vision Statement


History

Tracing its roots to a Mother’s Day Out Ministry in 1986, Early Preschool at First Presbyterian Church provides a Christian environment for the social, emotional, cognitive, physical and spiritual development of children ages 18 months through five years. The program is currently licensed through the Department of Human Services (DHS) and is an accredited program of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) since 2014, meeting the highest standards of Early Childhood Education.


Program

  • Children ages 18 months to 5-years-old
  • Our school year is from August – May.
  • Hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 A.M. – 2:30 P.M.
  • Extended care options are available one hour before/after each school day.
  • Every June and July, we schedule a 6-week summer camp.

Facilities

The Early Preschool is situated on the beautiful grounds and property of First Presbyterian Church, Nashville. The Early Preschool building and facilities were completed in 2008 as part of a larger construction and renovation campaign for FPC and Oak Hill School.

We have a secured Children’s Wing with 9 classrooms, a chapel, and a multi-purpose room, Grundy Hall. Outside we have a traditional playground with equipment for gross-motor development and a mud-kitchen with gardens to enhance imaginative play. Classrooms frequently explore the FPC grounds for a more in-depth and hands on experience with nature.


Curriculum

The Creative Curriculum,” written by Diane Trister Dodge and Kate Heroman, is implemented in all Early Preschool classrooms. Creative Curriculum helps children become enthusiastic learners.  Children are encouraged to be active and creative explorers who are not afraid to try out their ideas and to think their own thoughts. (teachingstrategies.com/curriculum)

We utilize “Godly Play” as our Chapel curriculum. Godly Play teaches children the art of using religious language — parable, sacred story, silence and liturgical action — helping them become more fully aware of the mystery of God’s presence in their lives. (McClain, Rebecca, godlyplay.org)

Handwriting Without Tears’ (HWT) “Get Set For School” pre-K curriculum uses a developmental approach that is based on the most relevant research about how young children learn best. HWT features Readiness & Writing, Language & Literacy, and Numbers & Math. (hwtears.com)


Leaders

Candyee Goode, Director of the Early Preschool

Candyee is a native of Georgia but ever since moving to Nashville, to attend college at Lipscomb University, she has called Tennessee her home. She has over 30 years’ experience in the Early Education field...


The Early Preschool
First Presbyterian Church
4815 Franklin Pike
Nashville, TN 37220
(615) 298-9580
 
Director: Candyee Goode
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