Ironbridge Community Christian School

Why should I send my child to preschool?

Many parents and elementary teachers are concerned about children acquiring particular cognitive, educational skills before entering kindergarten such as how to count, name letters, make letter sounds and even learn to read.

These skills that are introduced in our preschool program, but they are secondary to the social and autonomy skills that will be needed for successful learning in Kindergarten.  As a Director, I encourage my teachers to “run” with their student’s abilities, and take them as far as they can go, after the foundations have been firmly laid.

So, why is it important for children to attend preschool? In a preschool setting, a child is exposed to other children and other adults. They will learn self-control skills such as waiting one’s turn and raising their hand. They will develop problem-solving skills that also hopefully will lead to greater perseverance. While in a preschool setting, young children will be introduced to a variety of books and media which increases comprehension of the spoken word as well as expressing their own ideas.   

What does ICCS have to offer as a preschool?

We are first and foremost a Christian based school. The teachers are all Christians who attend church from a variety of different denominations. The staff meets each school morning for a few minutes of devotion and prayer for the day’s activities. Several staff members meet weekly for a bible study.

The children have a bible story read to them each day and take home memory verses to learn. They learn to pray for their schoolmates who are absent and for their own praises and needs. The children, except for the toddlers, attend Chapel each week to hear a short talk about a basic Christian truth. Such discussions are; God created us, God loves us, God gave us the bible as a story of His love as well as having some good rules for us to follow, Jesus is God’s Son; we are children of God, etc.

What is the background of the staff members?

We have a fantastic, dedicated staff of teachers and assistants. Many of the teachers have degrees in education, some in other fields; all have had prior experience with preschoolers. Each staff member passes two background checks prior to employment at ICCS. Our staff turn over is very low - most teachers have been part of the ICCS staff for 3 years or more.

Teachers take part in periodic in-service training, earning 18 Continuing Education Credits, where they expand their knowledge of teaching methods and concerns.  They also meet bi-monthly to prepare for upcoming activities. Lesson plans are reviewed by the director each week to insure quality of instruction. Teachers post weekly newsletters by their classroom doors and on the preschool website to keep parents always informed of what is going on in the classroom. Teachers can be contacted either through phone calls, notes, or by e-mail also through the website link.

ICCS has scheduled two Parent/Teacher conferences each year and teachers send home a follow up letter at the end of the year to furnish parents with an understanding of how their child is progressing. If a teacher has a concern, she will contact the parents to schedule a conference.

How old do children need to be to attend ICCS?

We use the same birthday cut-off date as Chesterfield County

uses for entrance into their school system, September 30th.

• For the toddler program, children need to be two by September 30th to be eligible for a two day a week class meeting on Monday or Wednesday. To be eligible for the two-day toddler class meeting on Tuesday and Thursday, children need to be two by March 31^st - 2 ½ when they enter school in September. There are 8 toddlers in a class, which is staffed by a teacher and a full time assistant. Toddlers do not need to be potty trained for the toddler program.
• We believe that our youngest three-year-olds are best served in a two day a week class, which meets on Tuesday and Thursday, while those who are 3 ½ are developmentally ready for a little longer school week. A child needs to be 3 by March 30th in order to attend the three-day a week class meeting on Tuesday through Thursday and three by September 30th to attend the two-day. Children, who are old enough for the three-day class, certainly may be placed in the two day per parent request. Each three-year old group is then sub-divided once all registrations are received so that students are placed in a classroom with children closest to their own birthdates. This creates a classroom in which children are most likely to have the same developmental needs and pace. Each class has no more than 10 students with a teacher and an assistant teacher who is “shared” between two classrooms. Three year olds need to be potty trained to attend.
• To be eligible for a four-year old class, students must turn four before September 30th. As with the three-year old classes, we sub-divide the group of fours so that the youngest 10 students are placed in one classroom on up to the oldest group being placed together. We have space for 55 students in our three-day four-year-old classes.  We have three assistant teachers that help with these classrooms.  We also offer an optional 4^th day class on Mondays for the 4 y.o.’s.  This class is learning about other countries and cultures around the world and draws students from all of the 4 y.o. classrooms.
• With public kindergarten becoming more academic and demanding, ICCS feels that there is a real need for offering a Junior Kindergarten class. (We have had feedback from many kindergarten teachers who also agree fully with this option!) The ICCS JK class is geared towards those children who are eligible for kindergarten (5 by September 30^th), but who need an extra year of maturation or development in academic, social or emotional areas. These students will attend Monday through Thursday in a class of only 10 students in order to address their individual and specific needs.  They also “share” an assistant teacher with the fours.

What curriculum is used at ICCS?

            Our Toddler program follows a biblically sound curriculum specifically developed for twos: Bible Quest, Toddlers and Twos. The other preschool teachers follow a guideline of very specific skills that are age-appropriate called Core Knowledge Skills (more information about the CK Preschool Sequence Skills available on their website: CoreKnowledge.org.) The CK skills cover a variety of skills: motor skills, movement and coordination; social skills, autonomy and independence; work habits; language, oral language, literacy and writing; and cognitive skills, mathematical reasoning, orientation in space and time, scientific reasoning, musical recognition.

Within the Core Knowledge framework the three-year olds use a theme-based monthly plan of topics ranging from “My Family” to “Our Community Helpers” while also incorporating a Gospel Light bible curriculum. The four-year old classrooms follow a letter of the week approach where stories, art activities and bible characters deal with the featured letter. The Junior Kindergarten reviews what the four’s classes are working on but expands the information further to reach their developmental abilities. Each month, the Core Knowledge Skills and Monthly Outline are posted outside the classrooms, an on our website, so that families are involved in all aspects of their child’s education.

Other questions you might have:

What is the school calendar like?

ICCS follows Chesterfield County School Calendar. We begin a week after CCPS students return with a week of orientation and transition days. Our last day of school for the year is during the week before Memorial Day. A calendar is sent to each registered child in August along with a letter from his/her teacher and information on Orientation. Toddlers attend class from 9:30 to 11:30 while all other students attend school from 9:30 to 1:30.

Is there recess time?

Yes! Weather permitting each class has a scheduled time out on the playground, and in case of inclement weather, the commons is used to allow children time to run and have some less structured fun.

Do children bring a snack and lunch?

Snacks are decided by the individual classroom teachers considering her class’ need for such. The toddlers do not bring a lunch but all other classes are asked to bring a healthy meal that does not need either refrigeration or microwaving. We also ask that all children bring water to drink – no juice boxes or sodas. Lunch is eaten in the classroom in a relaxed manner giving the children ample time to eat while also encouraging them to use proper manners and conversation.

Is ICCS a licensed facility?

We are considered by the State of Virginia , a religious exempt facility and follow guidelines set forth by the state regulating our operation. We have yearly fire and health inspections, staff health screenings, first aid training, and perform fire evacuation drills.

What is the drop-off and pick-up policy?

After the first week of school, children are driven to a drop-off point where teachers will help them from their cars. Toddlers are always brought straight to their classroom. At dismissal, students are picked up at their classroom, which allows teachers an opportunity to greet parents and mention any pertinent information. An emergency contact form is sent home in August where parents must list all persons having permission to take child from school.

Are parent’s encouraged to participate at ICCS?

Absolutely! We have several ways for parents to be involved from volunteering for Music and Movement resource times, attending parent meetings and parenting classes, classroom parents, or signing up to be a substitute assistant.

How do we register?

ICCS holds an Open House to provide this information to parents so that they can make an informed decision on their preschooler’s education. Afterwards, parents are welcome to register their child provided there are openings. A lottery system is enacted should more families wish to register than available spaces. If placed on a waiting list, no registration fee is needed and you will be notified should a spot become available.

You may also contact us at the school office to schedule a time to visit and speak with us in person.