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505 E. Buck Rd
Wilmington, DE, 19807
United States

(302) 472-0021

Christ Church Episcopal Preschool educates young children, creates community among school, families, and church, and honors and nurtures children in the Episcopal tradition. We welcome children aged two to five in small classes where all are affirmed as children of God and are inspired and encouraged to become their best selves—socially, emotionally, academically and spiritually. 

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Process Art

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Ms. Wilmer attended Delaware Technical Community College, where she earned her Teaching Certification. She has been part of the CCEP family for four years and has been working with children for 10 years. Ms. Wilmer has a deep passion for children, stating that "they just seem to be drawn to me." She loves teaching art because it allows her to help children become artists, decision-makers, and creators. Ms. Wilmer is grateful for the opportunity to teach children how to express their creativity through process art activities.

Mrs. Wilmer has an 8-year-old daughter named Nalani, a 10-year-old bonus son named Jaidyn whom she shares with her loving partner, and a Yorkie puppy named Luca.

The art enrichment program focuses on the process of creating art and recognizes that the process is more important than the product. Process-focused art experiences do not have step-by-step instructions or examples for the children to follow. There is no right or wrong way to explore and create because the focus is on the experience and the exploration of techniques, tools, and materials. Each student’s piece is unique and original. The experience is relaxing, creative, and entirely the child’s choice.

For more information on process art: https://www.naeyc.org/resources/pubs/tyc/feb2014/process-art-experiences

Godly Play

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Mason Cruz is the Minister for Children and Youth at Christ Church Christiana Hundred. He graduated from Eastern University with a B.A. in Youth Ministry, with minors in Psychology and Biblical Studies. He has a strong passion for youth and children’s ministry and has been working in this field professionally for about 4 years. Recently, Mason completed training and certification in the Godly Play curriculum, where he gained valuable insights into children's faith development and its significance.

Godly Play is a Montessori-based, multisensory, hands-on, imaginative approach to nurturing the spiritual lives of children. It includes three story genres: Sacred Stories, Parables, and Liturgical Action. The curriculum invites students to engage in the stories through wondering and work, with new stories presented each week.

Music at CCEP

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Melinda Oriani is a Core Faculty member with Special Distinction and serves as Early Childhood Department Head at The Music School of Delaware.  She has taught music to thousands of young children for 28 years.  Melinda earned a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance and has sung professionally with Houston Grand Opera Chorus, Philadelphia Singers, Houston Chamber Choir and various churches throughout the years.

Fully trained in Kindermusik & Musikgarten, Melinda has earned ECMMA level 2 certification.  She was owner/director of Clear Lake Kindermusik®.

Each week in music class, your child will participate in a variety of activities that will not only allow them to explore music, but will also help build curiosity, self-expression, listening skills and self-control. 

Class always begins with a “Hello” song and many songs are included in our time together. A song might help explore a concept such as fast/slow, quiet/loud, or it could be used to encourage solo singing. The singing voice is your child’s first instrument and should be given as much attention in these early years as the speaking voice. 

There are plenty of movement activities in music class.  We move to the steady beat of a drum or dance freely around the room.  Some songs or recorded music encourage us to move like animals or use our bodies to show how the music sounds. 

Active listening activities are used to focus the children’s attention on a specific sound.  We might imitate it after listening.  The sound usually relates to a song or movement activity to follow.

Playing instruments is a favorite part of every class.  We use rhythm instruments such as bells, sticks, shakers, or drums at least once in each class.  Sometimes we play along with a song or recorded music.  Other times we might keep a beat or use instruments to make sound effects or tell a story.

Group circle games and dances are included in classes as well as rhythmic chants and finger plays. Activities will vary weekly, but there is also a great deal of repetition so that children can become comfortable with the songs and activities.  It is a great pleasure to hear “Let’s do it again” from the children!

Spanish at CCEP

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Born and raised in Wilmington, Delaware, Chris Devany earned a BAS in Foreign Language and Literature from the University of Delaware in 2000. While at UD, Chris participated in Study Abroad in Granada, Spain, and was inducted into the Spanish Honors Society. Since then Chris has taught Spanish, music, and Capoeira (an Afro-Brazilian martial art form) to various ages in schools in Delaware, Philadelphia, California, and in Guatemala where he lived for 3 years. Amongst the many schools where Chris has taught is Academia Antonia Alonso a bilingual Spanish immersion school.

At CCEP, Mr. Chris is joined by his drumming dog puppet Chucho Tambor, and together (with the help of some other puppet friends) inspire a love of learning Spanish in the young learners there. This love of learning Spanish and a positive association with the idea of learning another language are the primary goals of Mr. Chris’ Spanish classes. Through song, dance, and games, the children learn all the basics such as greetings, colors, numbers, the weather, animals, food, people, clothes, and more. To keep students engaged, Mr. Chris uses musical instruments such as drums, maracas, and rhythm sticks, as well as toys and manipulatives such as scarves, bean bags, polyspots, hula hoops, parachutes, dolls, and pretend food. Mr. Chris also employs the Total Physical Response method for teaching his classes and to do this he uses tumbling mats, yoga balls, and other assorted gymnastics-type equipment.

Summer for Beginners

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As we approach the summer months and the end of the school year, some of us face different challenges. Some parents worry they will lose the ability to maintain the routine their child has learned all year, while others fear they won’t keep their children engaged as much as they were in school. Don’t panic!

 

There are many fun, creative, and, most importantly, affordable ways to keep your little ones engaged and stimulated—all while still learning—this summer. Maintaining these habits will ensure your child not only has a great summer with you but also prepares them for the next school year.

 

1. Opt for toys that are fun and educational

Learning toys are the perfect way for your child to grasp new skills through play. These types of activities can be simple and open-ended, like block stacking, alphabet and counting games, and motor skill practice. However, the key to making littles more interested is using toys that present these concepts in new and exciting ways. If you need some ideas, Melissa and Doug have some great creative and instructive toys that kids actually reach for.

2. Maintain a routine—but make it interesting

Children thrive when they have structure in their everyday lives. It’s recommended that kids have a routine in order to feel safe and properly engage in learning. There is always room for spontaneity, especially during the summer when their schedules are freed up, but it’s important for them to at least experience some predictability every day.

For instance, they can eat their meals simultaneously every day but a few days out of the week. You can turn lunchtime into a picnic so it doesn’t become monotonous. You can make them an active participant in their daily routine by using a kid-friendly calendar. This choice gives them more control over their day and excites them about the activities ahead.

3. Explore your city

Take advantage of the sights that surround you wherever you live. Local museums, zoos, art galleries, and libraries often have special events for children during the summer. Play museums are also rising in popularity, which allows your little one to get out of the house and interact with other children. Each place you visit is an opportunity to create a lifelong memory with your child while they learn about the world around them. These types of social experiences are an equally important part of a child’s education.

 

4. Go on a nature walk

Let nature be your kid’s teacher this summer (with you present, of course!). Taking your little one to a walking trail, park, or hike is the perfect way for them to learn about science and animal life. You could embark on a scavenger hunt or collect flowers, leaves, and twigs to take home for an art project. You could also play a nature podcast on your walk so they can learn while getting sun and exercise.

 

5. Conduct an experiment or art project

Turn a room in your house into a science lab or art workshop and watch your kiddo learn through various projects. Store a few science and craft kits at home and pull them out during those extra hot days. You could follow along with science or art educators on YouTube so you and your child can learn something new!

Summer should be fun for both you and your child. Having fun does not mean you can’t continue to learn and make core memories with your little one. The most important thing is to have fun and enjoy the summer break! There are always opportunities for advancing a child’s knowledge, even in the most unlikely places.

 

Ms. Alexander 

Ms. Cerrato 

Mrs. Okoro

Mrs. Rodriguez 

Curriculum Corner

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The Beginners, Nursery and Primary children are exploring the Rainforest. Math and reasoning skills include sorting, measuring, sensory play, life skills and number play. Language and Literary activities include book discovery, story play, communication, active listening and pictures and letters. Music and Dance includes group dance, rhythm patterns, coordination, sounds and signs, and creative moment. Art and Drama include painting, sticker art, dramatic play, collaging and coloring. Did you know that a Rainforest is one of the most diverse and biologically rich ecosystem on Earth? There is so much to explore. Follow your individual class activities on Brightwheel.

This month the Stars have been working on Pumpkin STEAM activities. The Stars weighed, measured and visually compared an assortment of pumpkins. They estimated then counted the seeds by 10’s up to 100 seeds. They discovered that even little pumpkins have more than 100 seeds. The Stars also sequenced the life cycle of the pumpkin and we are still observing it outside as it decomposes. Their room was beautifully decorated with pumpkins the children painted.

Primary Focus

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Sharing is an important developmental milestone. It teaches collaboration, cooperation, and teamwork. Children learn to see things from a different perspective. Sharing is also a great way to create new friendships amongst peers. As educators and parents, we implement this in the classroom and at home by modeling, guiding, and praising turn taking. The introduction of cooperative games helps children begin to learn how to share appropriately. Try this at home by playing board games and figuring out puzzles with your child. Rolling balls back and forth is a great way to share amongst children who are in the toddler ages. 

  

Learning to share is a marathon; it is not a sprint.  In the words of Daniel Tiger, "You can take a turn, and then I'll get it back." Your child will be well on their way to achieving this lifelong skill.

 

For more information and resources, we highly recommend Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Life Little Lessons from PBSkids.org, 

https://pbskids.org/learn/lifes-little-lessons/sharing/

Primary Teachers: Erin West, Gina Ferreri, Tiffani Miller, & Valerie Long

Scholastic Book Fair

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October 14-18

We kick off this year’s Book Fair at the Running of the Rams on Saturday Oct. 14. During the week, the Book Fair will be located in the Lobby. The Fair will also be open for Grandparents Day on Monday October 16.

By supporting the Book Fair, you help CCEP earn Scholastic Dollars to purchase books and educational materials for our school. Unable to make it to the Book Fair in person or trying to find books appropriate for an older child? Shop the online CCEP Book Fair to find even more titles!


In addition to the on-site Fair at the school, you can also shop the Bookfair online via the CCEP Scholastic Books website. The Online Fair begins October 11 and runs until October 24. There is a huge selection of books available online, making shopping easy for children of different ages. Just like the on-site Fair, your purchases help us earn Scholastic Dollars. All your online purchases will be shipped directly to you (with FREE shipping on book-only orders of $25 or more).


Shop Online


The Book Fair needs your help to succeed. We are looking for parent volunteers to help with book sales. Please sign-up here to volunteer.

Guest User

A quote in the CCEP faculty workroom is an important reminder that we should provide students opportunities to be independent. It says:

When you:

Cut it for me,

Write it for me,

Open it for me,

Set it up for me,

Draw it for me or

Find it for me,

All I learn, is that you do it better than me

One of the primary goals of our PreK program is to enable our students to be more independent. Initially, we offer a great deal of support and build considerable time into our school day to accomplish this objective. One of the ways we strive to accomplish our goal is by providing consistent classroom routines that students learn to follow. As they understand what is expected of them, over time our students are able to meet these expectations with little to no prompting. Offering choices to our children is another way to facilitate independence. It helps them develop problem solving skills, practice cooperation, and fosters creativity. Being independent builds self-esteem and autonomy. They feel successful and confident when they learn to do things for themselves, even (perhaps especially) when they persevere through the challenges of acting independently.

If you are interested in learning more about the value of providing young learners with opportunities to be independent and to read more about ways to facilitate independence in your preschool aged child, please visit https://childmind.org/article/how-to-build-independence-in-preschoolers/.

PreK Teachers: Mari Schubert, Lisa Tuleya, and Annie Williams

Family Chapel

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In the hallways I can hear the children singing their thanksgiving as they sit together for lunch. We sing in chapel too, because singing is a custom in ours and in many religious traditions. Singing unites the bodies assembled and embeds words and concepts deeply in the mind and heart.

The children have already learned to enter the chapel with an age-appropriate level of reverence, looking, listening, and speaking to connect with God. We share stories and songs and are learning to pray together. For the younger classes, prayer is simple and led by a single voice. For the primary and Pre-K classes we pray the Lord’s Prayer so that they will learn it through the year.

When you join us for Family Chapel, it helps them if you fully participate by entering quietly and taking “it” in rather than connecting with friends. Sing with your children, learning the hand signs to make with them. Pray with them and settle into a moment of peace and belonging.

Fr. Michael and I look forward to welcoming you and appreciate the gift and blessing of worship each week with your little ones

Mother Ruth

Holiday Camp Packages

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Holiday Camp offers child care to our working parents on specific days that the school is not in session. The day is filled with learning, arts and crafts, indoor and outdoor play, and possibly a nap in a mixed age group setting. We provide snacks and a lunch but parents are welcome to pack a lunch. Regular school hours are observed. It may or may not include early and/or after care depending on need.

We offer two packages. Sign up by September 1st for the lowest price. Individual days are available as space is available. Please contact Ms. Hultz for registration.

A Welcome from Ruth

Guest User

It brings me great joy to welcome children and families as our 18th school year gets underway at CCEP. I’ve been here for 17 of those years, and our Interim Head of School, Denise Gilliam, has seen all 18, welcoming children and helping them find their safety and joy in our community.

Your children will meet me in chapel each week, along with Michelle Galdames, the parish minister for children and youth, and the Rev. Michael Kurth, our associate rector. We love telling the Bible stories, singing songs, and helping your young ones learn the practice of prayer.

As the rector (a CEO priest), it’s my responsibility to provide oversight for all the ministries of Christ Church, including CCEP. I support the Board of Trustees and the Interim Head of School in their administration. You will meet me at preschool events and family chapel, which we hold once a month so that you might share the experience of worship with our community alongside your child. As a pastor, I serve both congregation and preschool – I’m here for you should you need a listening heart and a prayer partner.

The start of school can be an anxious time for the whole household. Here is a blessing as you send them off—

Child of my heart, may the blessing of God go with you today to keep you safe, and make you glad and good as you learn and play.

Remember who you are and whose you are, and let the light of Christ guide you and bring you home. Amen.

Head of School Welcome

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 I am sure you all are busy squeezing out the last bits of summer fun. As we wind down summer camp this week, we are also gearing up for the start of the new school year. I am embracing this new experience as Head of School. I have every intention to continue in the same spirit of love and dedication to our preschool community that I have always held.

 

I look forward to you meeting our new school administrator, Jen Fordham. She has been amazing to work with and her experience gives me confidence that she is a great fit. You will meet familiar and new staff at Meet and Greet Your Teacher. We have five new teachers out of sixteen. One who is actually returning from a year off of being a new mother. The new teachers come highly recommended with a passion for nurturing children.

 

In now my eighteenth year at CCEP, there has not been a year that I wasn’t proud to be a part of this amazing community. I am very excited about the growth and possibilities that await us.