Six 4-year-olds played with dollhouses and toy trains in the classroom of Little Chapel on the Boardwalk’s preschool Monday, Aug. 24 — the school’s inaugural day.
William Nolan scooted a blue Tonka Truck across the carpet.
“My mom says I’m going to school every day,” he said.
The playtime ended as school director Maritsa Hartlove began singing “The Cleanup Song.” Students stacked the toys on shelves and sat cross-legged on a colorful mat in front of her.
Hartlove gave each student a “good morning” and a handshake before continuing with more songs and the Pledge of Allegiance. The morning also included a weather lesson, an alphabet lesson, outdoor playtime and lunch.
Hartlove said Little Chapel’s Christian focus gives it a different mission than other preschools in the area.
“We’re going to be doing fundraising for the children of Malawi,” she said. “We want to teach the children about the love of Jesus and how to help others.”
The students will also fundraise for Habitat for Humanity and learn about community giving and Bible stories such as the story of Adam and Eve in Genesis.
Hartlove drew on her experience of overseeing a childcare center in Silver Spring, Md., for 24 years when designing the curriculum.
Reverend Pat Rabun also emphasized the school’s Christian curriculum. Each Wednesday, Rabun will conduct a short chapel service with the students.
“I would hope that parents come with the expectation that we will talk about Jesus,” Rabun said. “We will talk about our faith, not that we’re going to cram it down anybody’s throats and make them believe what we believe, but they will have an opportunity to understand and hear the faith.”
Rabun said the church started planning the preschool about five months ago, after he heard someone say during a committee meeting that most local preschools fill up quickly.
The school will accept enrollment applications until it fills its maximum capacity of 20 students.
Wrightsville United Methodist Church
The preschool at Wrightsville United Methodist Church will reopen its doors Tuesday, Sept. 1. It offers weekly classes for 2-year-olds, tri-weekly classes for 3-year-olds, and four-day classes for 4- and 5-year-olds.
Each class has between eight and twelve children and two adult instructors.
This year, the school has 52 children enrolled.
“There’s one space available in the 3-year-old class, but the rest are full,” said Ruth Cotton, the school’s director.
The Wrightsville United Methodist Church preschool also includes Bible lessons and a weekly chapel service.
“It’s a traditional church preschool setting,” Cotton said.
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