Child Care Center

For over a half of a century, St. John’s Lutheran Church has been serving the educational and child care needs of our community through St. John’s Child Care Center and Preschool Programs. We provide a stable, comfortable and safe environment with positive experiences to enhance each child’s self-image and confidence level.

Through activities, children will be given opportunities to promote social interaction, emotional growth, literacy, language and cognitive skills. We also encourage activities to promote the development of large and small muscle skills. Individual creative abilities are supported and preschool readiness skills are provided as needed.

In our caring and accepting atmosphere, children develop a sense of trust and security. Here, children can explore new materials, as well as, their own feelings in acceptable and socially appropriate ways.

We teach children about people of other cultures, customs and religions, as well as emphasizing their own backgrounds. While religion is not taught, the setting is a Christian Church and Christian holidays and symbols will be recognized.

The staff of St. John’s Child Care Center and Preschool Program is committed to the continuing development of a creative curriculum and does not permit discrimination because of race, color, sex, age, disability or national origin. Input from parents is always encouraged and welcomed.

Through calculated planning and meaningful activities, children will be given opportunities to promote desired and age-appropriate results in social interaction, emotional growth, literacy, language, and cognitive skills. We also encourage activities to promote the development of large and small muscle skills. Successful outcomes are supported in all developmental areas along with the encouragement of each child’s individual creative abilities and interests. Preschool readiness skills are taught and supported as they become age- and development-appropriate.

In our caring and accepting atmosphere, children develop a sense of trust and security. Here, children can explore new materials as well as their own feelings in acceptable and socially appropriate ways.

We teach children about people of other cultures, customs and religions, as well as emphasizing their own backgrounds.

At St. John’s, we recognize the important role parents have in helping their child learn and grow. There are a number of ways you can help facilitate your child’s experiences at St. John’s. Please feel free to visit or spend the day in your child’s classroom at any time. You may wish to sign up to help with one of our many special events for children and their families. Maybe you have a special job, talent or skill you would like to share with us.

Listed below are some of the activities your child will be involved in during their day with us:

• Arts & Crafts

• Outdoor Walks

• Finger plays

• Field Trips/Special Events

• Creative Dramatics

• Gym Games/Activities

• Sharing Time

• Drawing, Coloring or Paper Cutting

• Storytelling Music (sound, rhythm, songs)

• Small Group Discussions

• Science Exploration

• Book Time

• Large Group Discussions

• Choice Time (social time)

• Reading/Listening to Stories

Please see our handbook for more examples of the breakdown of a typical day at St. John’s for children by age group.

All classes have a more detailed schedule posted each week outside each classroom door. Please check the parent sign-in area for information regarding special events. For example: event sign-up sheets, family dinners and events, parent education, fundraisers, conference sign-up sheets, etc. Your signature and/or a fee may be necessary in order for you and/or your child to participate.

The following is an example of a “typical” day at St. John’s for our school-agers.

For AM Arrivals:

• May include free-play and breakfast before we assist in getting them on their school bus.

For PM Arrivals:

• 2:00-4:30
  Arrival of Students (grades 1-4)/Large Muscle Time

• 2:00-3:00
  Games, Toys, Manipulatives, Blocks

• 3:00-4:00 Project/Activity Time

• 4:00-4:30
  Homework, Journals, Reading, Choice Time

• 4:30-4:45
  Wash Hands, Snack Time

• 4:45-5:45
  Large Muscle Time, Choice Time, Homework, Reading

Listed below are some of the activities your child will be involved in during their day with us:

• Board Games

• Art Exploration

• Competitive Games

• Cooperative Group Games

• Cooking Activities

• Science Exploration

• Manipulative Play

• Reading

• Large Muscle Games

• Sensory Activities

• Dramatic Play

• Homework Time

• Block Building

• Music/Singing

For over half a century, St. John’s Child Care Center has been serving the educational and child care needs of our community. Providing and maintaining ongoing high-quality services to children and families is essential in our program, vision, and planning.

We provide a stable, comfortable, and safe environment with positive experiences to enhance each child’s self-image and confidence level.

Our vision and goals are achieved by excellent communication and collaboration with program staff and parents/families and by hiring and supporting diverse, qualified, capable and creative educators, leaders and support staff.

HOURS

ALL-AGES CHILD CARE:

• Year-round

• Monday through Friday

• 7:15 a.m. to 5:45 p.m.

PRESCHOOL ONLY EXPERIENCES:

• September through May: 9:00-11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday: (2 or 3 day programs)

• June through August: 9:00-11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (3 day program)

SCHOOL-AGE CARE:

• Care provided before and after school.

• Full day care provided on school release days, break weeks and during summer.

We have voluntarily undergone a comprehensive process of internal self-study and invited external professional review to verify compliance with set criteria for high quality early childhood programs by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). Our program was found to be in substantial compliance with their set criteria. We have been accredited since 1992. A copy of the criteria can be obtained from the NAEYC on their website (naeyc.org) or 1-800-424-2460.

Yes. Our standards comply with, and the program is licensed by, the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). The conditions of our license are as follows: capacity of 102 children at one time; toddler, (not to exceed 14 toddler-age) pre-school and school-age (not to exceed 43 school-age); Monday through Friday, year-round. A current license is issued annually. The general telephone number for licensing is: (651) 431-6500.

The Child Care Center maintains a waiting list, and we have rolling enrollment. If you’d like to be added to our waiting list, please call us to schedule a tour.

We are inside St. John’s Church at 4842 Nicollet Ave South, Minneapolis. Find directions. Our secured, private entrance is on Nicollet Avenue and can be recognized by its awning labeled “St. John’s Child Care Center”.

The Minnesota Child Care Consultants is our health consultant. They annually review our health and safety policies and procedures. Their telephone number is (612) 500-1880.