PROGRAMMING

Curriculum

PCA incorporates the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards into weekly lesson plans for all our classrooms. By providing a learning rich environment, children learn by playing, developing social and emotional skills, and learning through a combination of large group, small group, and one on one time with their teachers and caretakers.  Our days are enriched with age appropriate Bible stories/songs/prayers, gross motor play, and learning centers for art, music, language, reading, writing, math, science, blocks, dramatic play, sensory exploration, and fine motor skills. Our preschool – kindergarten classes use Creative Curriculum for a “hands on” and theme-based approach to keep learning fun and fresh.

Infant and Toddlers

Language development is fostered by reading stories, singing, and engaging in age-appropriate activities. Infants ages 6 weeks – 12 months have unique needs that are met with our small child to teacher ratio in BACKYARD FUN. Teachers spend time rocking and cuddling our youngest students in a warm and safe environment. The staff to child ratio in this class is 1:4. Click here for an online tour.

Young toddlers ages 13 – 24 months experience more structure with learning centers, circle time, music, and art in BUSYLAND. The staff to child ratio in this class is 1:5. Click here for an online tour.

Older toddlers, ages 24-36 months, learn independence, social skills, self regulation, letter recognition, math skills, science, and language development in CANDYLAND. The staff to child ratio in this class is 1:6. Click here for an online tour.

Pre-School and Pre-K

Weekly themes are used to introduce pre-reading, math, and science concepts as well as exploring feelings and learning to play with peers.

Our private preschool students experience a learning adventure in the JUNGLE classroom. Children should be fully potty trained or actively training. We also have a Pre-K classoom called EXPLORERS. Children must be fully potty trained in our EXPLORERS classroom. The staff to child ratio in these classrooms are 1:10. Click here for an online tour.

Kindergarten

PCA offers a full day kindergarten class between 8:30-3:30 taught by an ACSI certified teacher. Our school year is guided by Pennridge School District. Students in this class spend their day in a cheerful classroom called FISHBOWL. Children in FISHBOWL must be fully potty trained. The staff to child ratio in this class is 1:12, 1:10 if mixed with Pre-K students.  Click here for an online tour.

Highlights

  • Licensed by PA Department of Human Services
  • A member of the Association of Christian Schools International
  • Has been awarded a four out of four-star rating by Keysteon Stars, a state-sponsored quality improvement initiative
  • Staff members are screened and have the following clearances:FBI Fingerprint
    • State Police
    • State Child Abuse
    • NSOR (National Sex Offendor Registry)
    • FBI Fingerprints
  • All staff have ongoing professional development training including
    • Pediatric First Aid and CPR
    • Fire Safety
    • Mandated Reporter
    • Better Kid Care Required Health and Safety

Parent Software

PCA utilizes Procare app for teachers to post photos and activities throughout the day allowing parents to stay informed and engaged!

Extras

When available, our preschool and older classrooms participate in monthly Pizza Days. We sponsor a child in Nicaragua through World Vision by collecting a dollar for wearing Jeans on “Denim Day”. We have theme-based celebrations center wide including but not limited to:  Multicultural Week, Pajama Day, Team-Shirt Day, Backwards Day, Sweetheart Party, Apple Frolic, Dr. Seuss Day, Stone Soup, Field Day, Moms and Muffins, Dads and Donuts, and 100 days of school.  When available, we offer Spanish, music, or sign language lessons. At the end of the school year we have a graduation celebration for our PreK and Kindergarten graduates.

Holidays

2024-2025 School Year Closures

  • August 23, 2024: Teacher In Service (No school for students)
  • August 26: First Day of School
  • September 2: Labor Day Holiday
  • November 28-29: Thanksgiving Holiday
  • December 24-25: Christmas Holiday
  • January 1, 2025: New Years Holiday
  • January 20: MLK Day Teacher In-Service (No school for students)
  • February 17: President’s Day Teacher In-Service (No school for students)
  • March 18: Good Friday
  • May 2726: Memorial Day Holiday
  • June 6: Last Day of School
  • July 4: Independence Day Holiday

Kindergarten

  • December 23-31, 2024: Winter Break / Non Academic Days
  • April 18-21, 2025: Spring Break / Non Academic Days