Zion Lutheran Early Childhood Center

PROGRAMS FOR 2½, 3 AND 4 YEAR OLDS

64 FIRST AVENUE, WESTWOOD NJ 07675
201-664-8060

School Calendar

Families Matter

Families Matter is a program for children under the age of 5, along with their caregivers. Children hear stories, sing songs, make crafts and have a snack.
Looking forward to the future and a safe return.

Connect with Zion

Visit our Facebook page to see what's happening today at Zion.
No child’s picture or name is put on our Facebook page or on our website.

Auction/Tricky Tray Fundraiser

Mark Your Calendars!! Our Fundraiser will be held April 29,2023.
More information to follow.

Coming Soon Our Online Auction/Tricky Tray! More Information to Follow

CELEBRATING 52 YEARS!!

Our Mission

Zion Lutheran Early Childhood Center was established in 1969 (as Zion Lutheran Nursery School) to provide families with preschool children a place where the child could be part of a program designed to help him/her grow socially, intellectually and creatively in a Christian atmosphere. This preschool program has grown and developed over the years to become one that is highly regarded by parents who have had children enrolled, and also by the community. Our school is licensed by the state of New Jersey and is staffed by certified teachers and qualified assistants.

The goals of Zion Lutheran Early Childhood Center are for the child to develop and grow in five major areas:

SPIRITUAL INTELLECTUAL PHYSICAL EMOTIONAL SOCIAL

Classes

LEARN, CREATE, PLAY, GROW

Zion Lutheran Early Childhood Center offers classes for both 3 and 4 year olds. A 2-1/2 year old class was added in 2010. Each class is staffed with one teacher and one assistant teacher.

Current Class Sessions

The program at Zion Lutheran Early Childhood Center is designed to help each child come to a greater awareness of the world and the people around them. Activities are planned to include language development, mathematical concepts, social studies and science concepts, art, music and motor and visual coordination.

All our classrooms are air conditioned. In addition to our regular classrooms we offer a Building and Climbing Classroom and a Sensory and Exploration Classroom.

Registration Info

Typical Day

What follows is an outline and brief explanation of what your child may experience in a typical day at Zion Lutheran Early Childhood Center. At Zion, we feel that we are more than a “play-school.” We consider Zion a “preschool” and have developed our entire program with that fact in mind, that our children will be moving on to the elementary school level in a short time. It is our desire to provide children with the experiences necessary to prepare them in all areas for their continued education.

Children arrive and prepare for the day’s activities. They are encouraged to hang up their own coats and put their bookbags in the proper place.

Every day begins with an opening circle time during which the children gather around the teacher and take part in songs, opening prayer and an attendance activity. The students learn what they will be doing during the class session.

During this time, the children will be involved in a great many different activities. They generally will move from one activity to another at the direction of the teacher. Activities include block building, painting, truck riding, large and small muscle development devices, manipulative materials, books and other education toys. In addition, there is a housekeeping center. During this time, the teachers will involve the children in small group activities or projects, designed to develop various concepts or in the area of arts and crafts. The children will go to the the Bulilding and Climbing Room or Sensory and Exploration Room for some of these activities. (2-1/2 YEAR OLDS ARRIVE DURING FREE PLAY)

It is at this time that the children are brought together for a more formal learning situation. They are involved in sharing and discussing many interesting things centering around reading readiness and number activities, science, social studies, health, safety and language arts experiences. This is the time they will learn about God and their place in His plan for them. Christian learning is accomplished through stories, songs, prayer ,finger-plays,visual aids, and the example set by the staff. We do celebrate Christmas and Easter in a Christian manner, preparing worship celebratons to which parents, family and friends are invited.

Each day snacks are provided. Snacks may include juice, water,crackers and pretzels. The children are involved in helping to serve the snacks. Those children with allergies are to bring their own snacks.

This again involves the children in large or small group activities. Some of the things the children enjoy are:

INDOORS – games, music, activities, parachute play, exercise, games teaching body awareness and control.

OUTDOORS – there is a fenced-in playground.

The children prepare to leave for home. They are encouraged to put their papers in their tote bags and put on their own coats.

In addition to our on-site program, we attempt to widen each child’s horizons by taking them on educational field trips to some of the local resources found in the surrounding communities. Some of the trips are within walking distance to the school. When transportation is required, we use only registered school vehicles driven by properly licensed drivers. Parents must sign a permission slip for each trip.

The teachers encourage parents to share their occupations or hobbies with the class. A parent must speak to the teacher first, so an appointment my be scheduled.