Who We Are
The goal of the preschool is to guide each child in the growth of their total personality. Areas related to physical, mental, emotional and social development are all given equal attention when preparing a curriculum to fit the needs of each child. A child’s self expression, creativity and analytical thinking are worked out in play.
Through observations, the teacher may help a child succeed in areas where they may not normally excel. The teachers strive to aid each child in developing a positive self-image. Our curriculum is a discovery-based learning experience that gives each individual child the opportunity to move through specially designed learning centers of his or her own level of interest and ability. It focuses on learning basic concepts and skills through hands-on experiences and activities. Some centers are designed to develop large and small motor skills while others are more academically oriented. Through our program, each child is given the tools needed to encourage the growth of the whole child and to build the child’s self esteem rooted in the knowledge of God’s love and care.
- To provide a positive sense of identity and emotional well being
- To develop age-appropriate social, physical, language and literacy skills
- To encourage thinking, reasoning, questioning and experimentation
- To demonstrate proper health, safety and nutritional practices
- To respect gender, age, and cultural diversity
We Offer ...
- Readiness skills in reading, language, and math. It is especially designed to allow opportunities for social and emotional development.
- Quality educational experiences for children ages 2 1/2 through 5 years in a warm and caring Christian environment.
- Teachers are trained professionals and experienced early childhood educators.
- Teachers use the Creative Curriculum and the Connecticut Early Learning Standards to guide the children’s learning experiences.
- Small classes, allowing quality time with each child.
- School year runs September through the end of May, closely following the schedule of the Berlin school system.
- A beautiful facility with an indoor gym and an outdoor playground.
2024-2025 Programs for
2 1/2 and 3 Year Olds
Early 3s Program
Must turn 3 during school year
Meets three days a week on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9:00am to 11:30am. Class size is limited to 8 children. Children do not need to be potty trained.
Annual Tuition: $2808 (cash/check) or $2871 (PayPal)
Monthly Tuition: $312 (cash/check) or $319 (PayPal)
Children in the Early 3’ program spend their days exploring, sharing and learning. Each child will begin to develop his or her independence and confidence in a setting that encourages a sense of community. At the same time, they will learn to adapt to routines and rituals. Activities are based on a program grounded in early childhood fundamentals. Young learners in our Early 3’s will increase their language ability, practice early counting skills and learn to cooperate with friends through group activities and play.
Pre-K 3 Program
Must turn 3 by December 31st
There are two options for the Pre-K 3 program.
Option 1: The two day class meets on Tuesday and Thursday, from 9:00am-12:00pm.
Annual Tuition: $2304 (cash/check) or $2358 (PayPal)
Monthly Tuition: $256 (cash/check) or $262 (PayPal)
Option 2: The three day class meets on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9:00am to 12:00pm.
Annual Tuition: $3438 (cash/check) or $3510 (PayPal)
Monthly Tuition: $382 (cash/check) or $390 (PayPal)
The Pre-K 3 program emphasis is on socialization while the children are engaged in enriching activities. A large portion of each day is devoted to play experiences where children learn to share, take turns, and cooperate with others. Children’s natural curiosity and love of learning are developed as they explore the school environment and engage in classroom activities such as language and literacy, math, art, science, dramatic play, listening center, blocks and weekly themes. Activities that extend beyond the classroom include the use of our indoor gym and our beautiful outdoor space.
2024-2025 Programs for
4 and 5 Year Olds
Pre-K 4 Program
Must turn 4 by December 31st
Meets three days a week on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9:00am – 1:55pm .
Annual Tuition: $4986 (cash/check) or $5094 (PayPal)
Monthly Tuition: $554 (cash/check) or $566 (PayPal)
Pre-K 5 Program
Must turn 4 by September 1st
Meets five days a week, Monday through Friday, from 9:00am – 1:55pm.
Annual Tuition: $6075 (cash/check) or $6201 (PayPal)
Monthly Tuition: $675 (cash/check) or $689 (PayPal)
We offer two options for 4 year olds: the Pre-K 4, and Pre-K 5 programs. The emphasis of both is on important social and academic skills needed to prepare children for a successful transition to kindergarten. A large portion of each day is devoted to play experiences, inside and out, where children use their natural curiosity and love of learning to explore and create.
The curriculum is the same in both programs, but the children in the Pre-K 5 attend school for two additional days each week. This provides additional opportunities for children to concentrate on the skills needed to prepare them for a successful transition to kindergarten. Through observations, the teacher may help a child succeed in areas where they do not excel. The teachers strive to aid each child in developing a positive self-image. The longer class days give us additional time to include activities in pre-reading techniques and strategies such as letter of the week, rhyming, letter identification, phonics and counting. Children will work on different STEM projects and work together to experiment, observe, and use critical thinking to conclude on questions. Children’s literature also plays a key role in our learning experiences.
We consider Pre K 5 our mixed-age classroom; a learning environment to a group of children of varied ages between 4 & 5 and abilities. This combination provides opportunities for the children to learn and grow with one another by creating a leader and learner environment. Some children need an extra year to develop their skills before going on to Kindergarten.
While engaged in a varied and stimulating environment, the children learn to work together with children not only of the same age, but also with those either older or younger than themselves. Older children will be models for the classroom, developing leadership skills, while younger children will develop more complete language and types of play.
Registration for the 2024-2025 school year
Early Registration begins Monday, December 4, 2023. Early Registration is open to current students, siblings of current and past students, and families who attend Bethany Covenant Church. If you are eligible for Early Registration and need more information or want to register your child, please email or call the preschool office.
Registration for the general public begins at our Open House on Saturday, January 6, 2024. Families may drop in at any time between 9:00am and 11:00am. You do not need to pre-register. If you are unable to attend the Open House, please call to schedule a tour.
Shelby Moschini
Preschool Director and Early 3’s Head Teacher
Little Blessings Preschool is directed by Shelby Moschini. Shelby has been with Little Blessings Preschool for three years and has taught our Early 3s and Pre-K 3 classes. Shelby is a state certified head teacher for children ages 0-5. Shelby obtained a bachelors in liberal arts from Central Connecticut State University and is currently attending Chart Oak State College to obtain credits in Administration and Supervision of Early Childhood Programs.
Sandy Brown
Office Administrator
Sandy is the Preschool Office Administrator and has been with Little Blessings Preschool since its inception in 2006. Her primary responsibilities are managing registration, tuition, student records and providing back-up support in the classroom. She has a bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from Anderson University (Indiana) and years of experience working with preschool age children at Bethany Covenant Church.
Melissa Gibbons
Pre-K 4/5 Lead Teacher
Ms Melissa holds a Connecticut teaching license in art education k-12. She obtained her masters from Boston University and bachelors from Plymouth State University. Prior to Little Blessings Melissa taught eight years at the Art Magnet School in Waterbury. Melissa has two younger boys, her oldest attended Little Blessings Preschool and the other is currently enrolled.
Beth Cugno
Pre-K 4/5 Assistant Teacher
Miss Beth has been with Little Blessings Preschool since 2008 and currently is the assistant teacher in our Pre-K 4/5 class. She is the mother of twin boys who attended Little Blessings Preschool. Beth also attends Bethany Covenant Church and is actively pursuing classes in Early Childhood Education.
Kristin Waszczuk
Early 3’s Assistant Teacher
Kristin Waszczuk served on the board for one year as a parent representative. She has two children who have attended Little Blessings in the 4/5’s class. She decided to serve on the board because as a former educator in the Berlin public schools system she felt strongly about providing children a safe, nurturing learning environment. She is a certified K-6 educator and has a Masters in Education from the University of Saint Joseph’s. She has enjoyed Little Blessings so much that she will be teaching as an assistant in the fall for the preschools early 3’s class. she is looking forward to meeting many new families and returning families in the fall!
Dina Vieira
Pre-K 3 Teacher
Dina joined Little Blessings Preschool in 2021 and has over 10 years experience in teaching preschool. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Central Connecticut State University. In addition to her work here at Little Blessings, Dina is also the Head Teacher of the West Hartford Extended Experience Program at Aiken Elementary School.
Kimberly Lapointe
Pre-K 3 Assistant Teacher
Kim comes to us with earlier experience in a child care center and most recently, experience as a stay at home mom who volunteered as a leader and helper for her children’s Girl Scouts and Cub Scout packs. Kim enjoys volunteering at her church and volunteering with adults with developmental disabilities.
Mikayla Doucette
Pre-K 4 Lead Teacher
Miss Mikayla joined the Little Blessings Preschool family in 2021 and is the Lead Teacher in the Pre-K 4 classroom. She graduated from Plainville High School in 2020 and is currently attending Tunxis Community College where her focus is on Early Childhood Education.
Sara Colapietro
Pre-K 4 Assistant Teacher
Sara is a college student with nanny and child care center experience! She is fun, energetic and enthusiastic when it comes to helping children learn and grow. Sara recently sailed through Antigua and the Caribbean Islands where she took a course at sea in Marine Biology!
Katie Bitzarakis
Early 3s Assistant Teacher
Bio Coming Soon
Does my child have to be potty trained?
Yes. For Pre K 3, 4 & 4/5 children need to be potty trained. (Pull ups are acceptable.) Potty training is not necessary for the Early 3’s Program.
How does religion play a role in LBP?
We recognize Christian holidays and say a prayer of thanks before our children eat their snack. We appreciate diversity, celebrate holidays from other traditions, and teach the timeless and universal principles of love, respect, peace, tolerance, sharing, kindness, courtesy and good manners.
Do you go on field trips?
No. However, we invite special guests to come into Little Blessings Preschool to present programs related to literacy, science, and animals.
Can I visit my child’s class?
Yes. We welcome and encourage visits after September. In September, children are busy adapting to their new environment and daily schedules. Once they begin to settle in, we would love for you to schedule time with your child’s teacher to visit their classroom. We know how important it is for you and to see your child and his/her class in action.
Do I need to pack a daily snack for my child?
Yes. We are a state licensed facility and our required to make sure each child has a nutritious snack that consist of two foods groups.
Do you offer any other services?
We work with a Speech and Language Pathologist who has offered to do a free screening to any Little Blessings Preschool student that parents are concerned that there may be a language delay. We will offer a free vision screening provided by the Berlin Lions Club, Inc. and we have several other consultants on staff to help with the whole child.
To download our suite of resources, click on the buttons below.
We would love for you to visit us, see our facility and meet our teachers. Our Open House is Saturday, January 6, 2024, from 9:00am to 11:00am. You do not need to pre-register.
Little Blessings Preschool is located on the lower level of Bethany Covenant Church, 785 Mill Street, Berlin, CT 06037.
Phone – (860) 828-9520
Email – LittleBlessingPreschool@gmail.com
Fax – (860) 828-4250
