Our Mission Statement:
Our mission is to provide play-based, individualized, hands-on learning within a prepared environment. The school seeks to educate the social, physical, intellectual, and emotional needs of each child, while generating a sense of community among children, teachers, and families.
This will be accomplished by:
o Offering a program that stresses the individualized education and social needs of a child.
o Meeting the highest health and safety standards.
o Hiring, developing and motivating qualified teachers.
Continually questioning, evaluating and upgrading established procedures and systems.
Our Philosophy:
St. Timothy’s Preschool uses developmentally appropriate practices to provide a safe, supportive and nurturing environment where children develop physically, socially, emotionally, and cognitively. Our program supports the relationship between children, their families, and the preschool staff. Most learning activities are presented through play. All learning activities engage the children so they can explore, imitate, experiment, ask questions, and be questioned to further their thinking and problem solving skills.
Our Core Beliefs:
o We believe that children are our most precious and important resources, worthy of respect, and to be valued for their uniqueness.
o We believe children are natural learners. When placed in a stimulating, interactive environment, each child’s potential can be fully realized.
o We believe children are curious, open-minded, honest and accepting. Taking the time to observe them and listening to their ideas and thoughts will help teachers fulfill each child’s individual needs.
o We believe that play is a positive and natural way children learn. Play involves exploring and experimenting, and is the process through which each child discovers and develops an understanding of the world around them.
o We believe that parents are the most important adults in a child’s life. We want to develop a respectful partnership between teachers and parents. We also want to foster fellowship amongst the families.
Our School History:
St. Timothy’s Nursery School first opened its doors in 1961. The school was originally started by a group of mothers who volunteered their time. In 1968, the first staff was hired. The 3-year-old class was added in 1984 and in 1985 the name was changed to St. Timothy’s Preschool. St. Timothy’s Preschool became a member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools in 2008. The 2-year old class was added in 2009.
Today, St. Timothy’s Preschool is one of the oldest continually run preschools in West Des Moines.