Preschool Registration for the 2023/2024 school year will open to the community on Tuesday, January 17th, 2023. Click on the link below to register. The registration form will provide detailed information of how to register. Contact Carla Smith at preschool@foresthills.org for a tour or to answer questions.
Register here for the 2023-2024 school year!
- Nationally recognized curriculum designed to meet individualized goals and prepare children for success in kindergarten
- Caring, tenured teachers and small class sizes
- Enrichment programs include Music and Movement, Process Art and Science
- 3-hour day for 1-4 year-olds
- Lunch bunch from 12-12:55pm Monday-Thursday
- Carpool pick-up is available for your children's safety and your convenience
- Conscious Discipline
- Follows CDC guidelines related to COVID-19 to ensure a safe environment for preschoolers
- Incorporates the love of Christ through culture, community, and creativity
Connections Preschool has been teaching children in Raleigh for over 10 years. We are a ministry of Forest Hills Baptist Church located near NC State University and Meredith College. We believe that children learn best through play, guided by teachers that care for and nurture them. We also believe that each preschooler and their family are special to God and are an important part of the Connections Preschool family. All are welcome here!
Meet our Connections Preschool Staff!
Each of us loves children and loves to teach. We also love to share with children that Jesus loves them and cares for them through our actions and words.
- Teacher's Assistant for Bees Class
- Lead Teacher for Chameleons Class
- Music and Movement Teacher
Connections Preschool uses The Creative Curriculum for Preschool as our core for lesson planning, but we also use other resources in supplement. The curriculum is created as developmentally appropriate with a focus on objectives and not theme driven. We find that focusing on developmentally appropriate objectives ensures learning through play and allows more opportunities for individualized instruction. We provide opportunities for children to learn about God’s world and how to live in it. We also teach life skills and relationship skills.
Connections Preschool has fully implemented Conscious Discipline and the staff received training from Kim Hughes, a master instructor for Conscious Discipline.
We have a three-year main focus rotation reflected in our mission statement:
Year of Community 2021-2022
Year of Creativity 2022-2023
Year of Culture 2023-2024
Our classrooms also reflect our Year Focus in learning centers and in the stages of child development. Physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual developments are equal in importance and are all included in our objectives. The classrooms are set up to intentionally encourage exploration of nature, music, dramatic play, books, art, building, puzzles, and manipulatives. We also provide activities for each objective, teaching each child to progress in language, reading, math, and writing appropriate to his or her stage of development.
Connection is so important!
Conscious Discipline is an evidence-based, trauma-informed approach. It is recognized by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s (SAMHSA’s) National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP), and received high ratings in 8 of 10 categories in a Harvard analysis of the nation’s top 25 social-emotional learning programs. The Harvard study’s authors say, “Conscious Discipline provides an array of behavior management strategies and classroom structures that teachers can use to turn everyday situations into learning opportunities.”
Our core methodology is based on four essential components that are scientifically and practically designed for success:
BRAIN STATE MODEL
The Conscious Discipline Brain State Model recognizes three basic brain / body / mind states likely to produce certain behaviors. Intentional, state- specific responses enable access to advanced skills.
SEVEN POWERS FOR CONSCIOUS ADULTS
The seven powers create a shift in the way adults see conflict so we can maintain composure and consciously respond to difficult situations. Adults’ ability to self-regulate is the precursor to teaching children social-emotional skills.
CREATING THE SCHOOL FAMILY
The School Family increases connections between adults and children at all levels, ensuring optimal development for all. A School Family culture is built through consistent modeling of routines, rituals and structures.
SEVEN SKILLS OF DISCIPLINE
These seven skills transform everyday discipline issues into teachable moments, equipping children with the social-emotional and communication skills needed to manage themselves, resolve conflict and develop healthy behavior.