Frequently Asked Questions

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• 2’s Classrooms-Maximum 12 students-2 Teachers
• 3’s Classroom-Maximum 14 students-2 Teachers
• 4’s Classroom-Maximum 16 students-2 Teachers
• 4-5’s Classroom-Maximum 18 students-2 Teachers
• 5’s Classroom-Maximum 15 students-2 Teachers

We use an app called Brightwheel as our primary communication tool with parents. Through the app, parents receive weekly newsletters and photos of their children. It also allows parents and teachers to message each other throughout the day. Phone or in-person conferences can always be arranged if you need to speak with your child's teacher. 

All doors are locked during the school day. We have cameras installed around the building, and visitors must be buzzed to enter the school. Additionally, cameras are placed in all hallways. For enhanced security, we have a MARCS Radio (Multi-agency Radio Communication System), which can instantly dispatch all local officials to the school at the push of a button in an emergency. 

• Chapel-1x per week, in the sanctuary, along with Bible worksheets that get completed in the classroom in the 4 through 5 year old classes, those worksheets are sent home in younger classrooms.
• Music-1x per week, led by a licensed Music teacher, two performances every year at Christmas and Graduation.
• Stretch-n-Grow-1x per week (starting in October), gym program, learning major muscle groups and participating in structured games and movement activities.
• Recess-1x per day for 30 minutes for half-day students, 2x per day for full-day students. Updated playground in the courtyard, which cannot be seen from the road, turf on one side, and rubberized surface on the other.

We view conflicts between peers and challenging behaviors in the classroom as opportunities for learning and growth. Our goal is to address situations in the classroom and inform parents if any behavior becomes a pattern or if the seriousness of the behavior is concerning. Teachers at Valley understand that children pushing boundaries and experiencing peer conflict are normal parts of development. VCP staff are trained to help children navigate conflicts by discussing options, providing choices, and encouraging the child to be an active participant in solving the problem. If there are any concerns in the classroom, teachers welcome open communication, as parents are valuable members of the child’s teaching team. 

Yes! Children ages 3 through 5 take monthly walking field trips across the street to the Chagrin Falls Library. We love parent volunteers to help cross the street and participate in the library field trip. The older classes participate in library skills programs, learning about jobs at the library, how a book is made, how the library is organized, etc. The younger children participate in storytime with music, read-alouds, and fingerplays. In addition to library field trips, we take a walking field trip to the popcorn shop to celebrate the end of the school year 

Yes! We love parent volunteers at Valley! In addition to helping with field trips, there are two classroom liaisons in every classroom. The liaison plans three to four classroom parties throughout the school year. Parents are encouraged to be secret readers in their child’s classroom and help during center time. 

Valley Christian Preschool (VCP) integrates both play-based and academic-focused learning approaches. The staff at VCP recognize the importance of play in early childhood education, encouraging active play for the majority of the day. This play-based approach is complemented by structured teacher-led activities that cover essential academic skills such as letter recognition, letter sounds, sight words, word formation, number recognition, tally marks, ten frames, charting, experiments, etc. Feedback from graduating families indicates that this balanced approach effectively prepared their children for Kindergarten!

“Play is fundamentally important for learning 21st-century skills, such as problem-solving, collaboration, and creativity.~ American Academy of Pediatrics 

We follow the Chagrin Falls School District Calendar; what’s unique to Valley is we start when Chagrin starts at the end of August and end at the beginning of June.  Many preschools in the area begin after Labor Day and end before Memorial Day. 

What makes Valley unique to other preschools?

• SUTQ-5 Star-Rated School
• NAEYC Accredited
• Follow the Chagrin Falls School District Calendar, starting in August and ending in June
• Newly built playground space in the courtyard of the church
• Licensed music teacher, teaching age-appropriate music education
• Stretch and Grow Gym Program, learning all major muscle groups in the body
• School-wide Christmas Program in December and Spring Graduation Program (Livestream and Recorded)
• Monthly Library Field Trips (storytime for younger students, library skills for Pre-K Classes)
• Walking field trips to Riverside Park