NEW CSCOE INITIATIVE CATERS TO PRESCHOOL FAMILIES, SCHOOLS
Child care programs, preschools and pre-K programs across the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis have adopted a new name for the 2017-2018 school year: Faithful Beginnings.
Developed by the Catholic Schools Center of Excellence (CSCOE) with support of the archdiocese, Faithful Beginnings is a new initiative that embodies the faith, values and excellence that characterize Catholic early childhood programs across the archdiocese. It highlights the safe, nurturing environments Catholic preschools provide. More important, it supports the message that Catholic pre-K programs give children a solid foundation that will last well beyond their early education years.
Faithful Beginnings is not a new early childhood curriculum, but rather a set of guidelines to help schools improve their existing programs. By choosing Faithful Beginnings, schools are able to maintain their individual identity and join a network of Catholic preschools with similar goals. They also gain access to special Faithful Beginnings communications and enrollment support from CSCOE.
Faithful Beginnings offers high-quality, top-rated daycare, preschool and pre-K programs for children up to age 5. Dedicated teachers provide loving care and engaging early-childhood education for little ones. Teachers receive ongoing training to remain up-to-speed on the most effective and innovative teaching methods and child development techniques. Low student-teacher ratios ensure children always receive the attention and care they deserve.
Teachers at Faithful Beginnings preschools communicate effectively and frequently with parents through weekly emails and other social and mobile methods including PreciouStatus, a mobile parent-teacher communication app. When challenges arise in the classroom, teachers work together with parents to find the most effective solution for each child. Parents are encouraged to meet each other and become actively involved in their child’s education through regular classroom visits and school-sponsored social events.
Catholic values, academic excellence and development of the whole person characterize Faithful Beginnings programs. Faith and virtue formation are sown into all aspects of the curriculum, and children learn respect, love, forgiveness, service and compassion. Faithful Beginnings students also become an integral part of the entire elementary school community from day one. In this way, children are welcomed into a community of faith, where they know they are loved and feel they belong.
Enrollment at Catholic preschools in the archdiocese grew by 10.8 percent from fall 2015 to fall 2016. CSCOE is confident that Faithful Beginnings will help continue this momentum, increasing excellence and enrollment at participating preschools, bringing more young souls to Christ and improving existing early childhood programs.
Faithful Beginnings preschools offer a variety of schedules, and before and after school care options, to meet the needs of families. Meal programs and financial aid are also available. To learn more about Faithful Beginnings and to find a Faithful Beginnings program or Catholic preschool near you, please visit
www.faithful-beginnings.org.