Welcome! Little Blessings Preschool exists to provide the highest quality preschool education in a secure, nurturing and stimulating environment. We seek to serve the physical, emotional and intellectual needs of the preschool children and their families within a Christian environment. Using our age-appropriate curriculum, the highest standards of cleanliness, and our ongoing communication with parents, our highly-qualified and dedicated staff are here to ensure your child has the very best early childhood experience possible. We want to thank you for entrusting us with that privilege and responsibility.
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. Little Blessings Preschool 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. The curriculum 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.
2023-2024 Programs for
2 1/2 and 3 Year Olds
Early 3s Program
Must turn 3 during school year
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.
Meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Class size is limited to 8 children. Children do not need to be potty trained.
Pre-K 3 Program
Must turn 3 by December 31st
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.
Meets three days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, from 9:00am-12:00pm.
2023-2024 Programs for
4 and 5 Year Olds
We offer two options for 4 year olds: the Pre-K 4, and Pre-K 4&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 4&5 attend school for a slightly longer day and is 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 4&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.
Pre-K 4 Program
Must turn 4 by December 31st
Meets three days a week from 9:00am – 12:00pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Pre-K 4&5 Program
Must turn 5 years old during the school year and plan to attend Kindergarten the following fall
Meets five days a week, Monday through Thursday from 9:00am – 1:55pm and Friday from 9:00am – 12:00pm.
All programs run for nine months, September through May.
Early Registration
Early Registration for the 2023-2024 school year begins December 5, 2022 and is available to all current students, siblings of present and past students of Little Blessings Preschool and Bethany Covenant Church families. If you are eligible for Early Registration and would like more details about registering for the 2023-2024 school year, please contact the preschool.
Open House
Registration for the 2023-2024 school year opens to the general public at our Open House on Saturday, January 7, 2023 from 9:00am – 11:00am (drop in at any time; no appointment necessary). Please call or email us to schedule a tour if you miss our Open House. The Tuition Schedule and Registration forms will be made available online in January.
Registration is on a first-come first-served basis.
Sue Plourde
Preschool Director and Pre-K 4/5 Head Teacher
Little Blessings Preschool is directed by Sue Plourde. Sue has over 30 years experience teaching preschool and has directed Little Blessings Preschool since 2009. She has a Bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University, is a state certified head teacher for children ages 0-5 years and has earned the CT Director’s Credential for Directors of Early Childhood Educational Programs. Miss Sue teaches our Pre-K 4/5 class.
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.
Michelle Cyr
Pre-K 4 Head Teacher
Miss Michelle joined the Little Blessings Preschool family in 2010 and is currently Head Teacher of the Pre-K 4 program. She has taught both our extended day enrichment program and the Pre-K 3 class. Miss Michelle is a certified elementary school teacher and also holds her CT certification as Head Teacher for children Birth to age 5. She has her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education as well as a Master’s Degree in Business Management.
Jennifer Carroll-Fischer
Pre-K 4 Teacher
Miss Jennifer has been part of the Little Blessings Preschool family since 2010. She was previously Head Teacher of the Pre-K 3 class and joined the Pre-K 4 team in 2021. She was co-teacher of our previous enrichment program called Imagination Station and facilitated the Music and Movement enrichment class. Miss Jennifer earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Creative Arts Therapy from Russell Sage College and has her Master’s Degree from Southern Connecticut State University. She also holds her certification in Children’s Yoga from Little Flower Yoga.
Shelby Moschini
Pre-K 3 and Early 3’s Head Teacher
Miss Shelby teaches the Early 3’s and Pre-K 3 classes at Little Blessings Preschool. She obtained a bachelors degree in Liberal Arts from Central Connecticut State University in 2020 and has other college credits in education and child development.
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.
Melissa Gibbons
Early 3’s Teacher
Ms Melissa is the assistant teacher for the Early 3’s class. She 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.
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.
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.
We would love for you to visit us and see our facility and meet our teachers. Our Open House is Saturday, January 7, 2023. Please drop in any time between 9:00 and 11:00 a.m.; no appointment necessary. If you are unable to attend our Open House, please call or email to schedule a tour.
Phone – (860) 828-9520
Email – LittleBlessingPreschool@gmail.com
Fax – (860) 828-4250
Little Blessings Preschool is located on the lower level of Bethany Covenant Church, located at 785 Mill Street, Berlin, CT 06037.
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