Kris Finley, Director of Trinity Lutheran Preschool, Lynnwood, Washington, and ELEA National Board President

     Trinity Lutheran Preschool will soon become Trinity Lutheran Preschool and Kindergarten here in Lynnwood, Washington.  We are not alone, but are one of three Lutheran Preschools in our area to add a Kindergarten class to our successful Preschool programs this fall.

     I was asked recently why we were adding a Kindergarten program.  There are a number of reasons that relate to our specific geographical area but I’m sure many of them are experienced throughout the country.  With the trends in “Leave No Child Behind”, parents are increasingly nervous to send their children to public Kindergarten that presents an accelerated curriculum.  Will class size be small enough to pay attention to my child and will my child learn to read at the earlier rate that is now expected?  Some parents desire a smaller school community than their neighborhood public school can offer.  Safety on the playground and in the lunchroom are big issues for the Kindergartner.

     In our area the other major factor to offering one more year attached to the Preschool is scheduling and transportation.  The state pays for a half day program and each district decides how to administer the schedule that best works for their budget.  In the district in which Trinity resides, the Kindergarteners go to school two full days a week, two no school days a week and every other Friday.  Parents are looking for consistency in scheduling through either morning or afternoon classes every day.  With skyrocketing transportation costs,  the desired schedules are disappearing from school district offerings.  If a family needs before and after school care (which is no longer available in the public schools in our area) the schedules offered make it almost impossible to arrange.

     So at Trinity we have decided to respond to the increasing need for another option for families.  We are offering a flex program with options: 

                6:30-8:30               Before school care

                8:30-11:30             Kindergarten

                11:30-2:30             Extended Kindergarten (add on to                                                       Kindergarten)

                2:30-6:00               After school care

     We are addressing small class size, child care needs, academic excellence with a developmental approach, a state certified teacher, integrated Christian beliefs and values, an excellent facility and most of all in a loving and safe Christian environment.

     I would like to challenge you to take a look at the present situation in your area affecting families of Kindergarteners and to make a commitment to address their needs in some way appropriate to your program’s ability.  Please pray for all Preschools who are adding Kindergartens this fall.

Kris Finley may be reached at KLynnFin@aol.com.
 

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