ESTEVAN - Another year of fun and learning at the Mary's Little Lambs Preschool has come to an end.
The annual graduation celebration and spring concert were held Thursday. Mary Lawrence with the preschool said all of the children sang loudly, while the parents and grandparents clapped along, creating a good time for everyone in attendance.
Lawrence noted that teacher Patti Psenych found she had such wonderful classes again this year.
"I can understand why, as every time I'm in the classroom for something, I hear lots of stories, laughter and chatter and get lots of hugs," said Lawrence. "What's not to love?"
All of their classes were full this year. They had 16 children in each of the four-year-old classes. One group of 16 attends Tuesday and Thursday mornings, while the other attends Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
In the three-year-old group, which met on Wednesdays, there were 11 kids in the morning and 12 in the afternoon.
"We also had the longest waitlist we have ever had in the 27 years we have been doing our preschool," said Lawrence.
The children are always so excited to come to class, Lawrence said. They are excited to see their friends, tell their stories and learn something new.
For the three-year-olds, there is a lot of time spent on listening skills, using inside voices, learning to share and becoming good and kind friends. They also discuss things like letters, numbers, colours and more.
For the four-year-olds, Psenych structures these classes to help prepare them for their step into kindergarten, but Lawrence said there are also many fun activities planned for all the classes. Every month has a special theme and a fun-and-colour day.
"This involves special activities and games, and the children are encouraged to wear the monthly colour on that special day," said Lawrence.
They have a Year at a Glance, which is sent out to parents or anyone else inquiring about the preschool. It outlines their monthly themes, such as seasons, holidays, animals and more.
They also celebrate each child's birthday throughout the year. The kids receive a special certificate and a treat bag. May is particularly busy as any birthdays in the summer are celebrated that month.
Show and tell is also everyday and the children are encouraged to bring an item from home that is special to them, or tell the class a joke or story, which Lawrence said is good for their confidence. Baby chicks visited the school in the spring months, which Lawrence said was very popular with the kids.
Class and individual pictures were given to the kids as well, and they do a Memories to Treasure DVD, which is a compilation of the many pictures Psenych takes of each class throughout the year. It is handed out on the final day and Lawrence said it makes for a treasured keepsake from preschool.
A final progress report card is sent home at the end of the school year and only positive remarks are used. Awards certificates are given out to all children for their best efforts in things like tying shoelaces, knowing their address and phone number, and being a good helper.
Lawrence noted their enrollment numbers are down for next year. She said it's a trend for all preschools. There was a slump in the number of babies born in Estevan three years ago, but she believes the economy was also a factor later on.
An open house was held on May 13. Anyone enrolled by July 31 will have a chance to win their first three months of preschool free this fall.
