We are a family of God’s people joyfully sharing Jesus’ love by serving all children. Our preschool provides a quality play-based education for children in a Christian environment. Our program respects each child’s individual growth and development while encouraging independence, good citizenship, and family participation.
Daily Schedule
Creative Play Social development and literacy concepts are developed within planned interest areas such as art/writing, language/books, dramatic play, blocks, math/manipulatives, and science.
Group Time Literacy opportunities occur within stories, musical experiences, group collaboration, numbers, and weather discussions.
Snacks Parents take turns providing nutritious, store-bought snacks. Water or 100% fruit juice is provided by HPS. A snack-time prayer is taught.
Outdoor Play A sandbox, tricycle path, playhouse, large grass section, and a variety of playground equipment are available within the fenced play area for gross motor activity. Our "outdoor classrooms" include mud kitchens and vegetable gardens. Indoor large motor equipment is available in the gym during inclement weather.
Field Trips A variety of in-house and off-site field trips are planned throughout the school year including visits from the St. Charles Library, Fire Department, and Hickory Knolls Nature Centre. Families are invited to attend a pumpkin farm in October.
Nature / Outdoor Classroom Focus
How Do Our Outdoor Classrooms Spark Discovery?
Having grounds with an abundance of natural space is a blessing. We take nature walks, explore the prairies, investigate the pond, and take advantage of the many opportunities our land allows.
We realize that outdoor time is more important than ever before. Classes spend a significant amount of time outside, weather permitting. From putting on snow-pants to sled on the small hill in the play yard to having special water days during summer school, we value outdoor playtime.
Natural wildlife experiences: children experience excitement and wonder as Killdeer birds lay eggs on our grounds annually and we get to watch as the eggs are protected and hatched.
Mud kitchens are open year-round. One sink has a water pump for mud pies on warmer weather days. Many materials are offered for creative play such as shells, pinecones, rocks and more.
Vegetable gardens foster an exploration of life cycles, the development of responsibility and hard work, and other learning opportunities through harvesting, cooking, and taste-testing new foods.
Students feel a sense of freedom as they develop their large motor muscles in our beautiful open play yard.
Sandhill Cranes, turtles and tadpoles can be found in our yard. Our many prairie paths lend themselves to nature exploration opportunities.
According to the Education Resources Information Center, studies in the US show that schools that use outdoor classrooms and other forms of nature-based experiential education show significant student gains in social studies, science, language arts, and math.
New Music Program
Where music, learning, and faith go hand-in-hand! Our program, "Music Time with Ms. Melody" is new this year. Music combined with movement requires parts of the brain to work together in a way that’s different from any other activity. Preschoolers already have a natural love of music; Music Time with Ms. Melody taps into that natural love and weaves in biblical stories and God’s promises, working hand-in-hand with our faith-based preschool curriculum. Children work on body movement, lyric memorization, and pitch matching during their weekly sessions, having fun while boosting many areas of learning!
Should your preschooler wish to extend their music time with Ms. Melody, children are welcome to join Hosanna! Lutheran Church's free Children's Choir program on Tuesday afternoons. Hosanna!’s Children's Choir program offers opportunities for children ages three through fifth grade (as well as “open gym” for family playtime from 4 – 6pm!)
Faith Components
What does it mean that we are a faith-based preschool?
Ministry of Hosanna! Lutheran Church
Christian atmosphere
Classes say a daily prayer together before our family-style snack
Monthly Bible Verses
Thanksgiving Food Pantry collection for the church and blessing of food with Pastor in worship space
Christmas Sing for all Preschool families in worship space followed by a Birthday Party for Jesus
Easter Stories in Church
Anti-Bias Philosophy
Hosanna! Preschool does not participate in practices that discriminate against children and families by denying benefits, giving special advantages, or excluding them from programs or activities based on their race, religion, sex, or national origin.
Hosanna! is licensed by DCFS and our curriculum is guided by the Illinois Early Learning Standards.