1201 Blackstone Avenue
Hopewell, VA 23860
(804)458-3180, (804)452-3240

• Woodlawn Presbyterian Christian Preschool, WPCP, conducts a half day program providing children with a safe place where they can develop social and educational skills as curious individuals in a Christian environment. Our program is based on the knowledge that these early years are ones of phenomenal development-physical, mental, emotional, social and spiritual. The A Beka curriculum challenges the child to experience God through language, numbers, nature, art, music, and the community itself. The preschool provides an atmosphere of love and acceptance for each child.

• Administration:

• Jeff Butler, Pastor
• Jerry Williams, School Board Chair
• Leigh Mertins, Director

• Children of any race, religion, and/or creed are welcome. A child is eligible for enrollment in the Three-Year-Old class if he or she is three years old by September 30th of the current school year and is toilet trained. A child is eligible for enrollment in the Four-Year-Old Kindergarten class if he or she is four years old by September 30th of the current school year and toilets independently.

• For the Three-Year-Old Preschool Class, the school day is from 9:15 am to 12:15 pm Tuesday through Thursday. The Four-Year-Old Kindergarten Class is from 9:00 am to 12:30 pm Monday through Friday. The Preschool year begins in September and ends in May.
• In the event of inclement weather the Hopewell City Public Schools closing schedule is followed. However, since WPCP opens almost two hours later than Hopewell Schools, the preschool's opening will not be affected by 1 or 2 hour delays. If Hopewell Schools Are Closed, WPCP IS Closed.
• The Extended Day Program provides supervision and activities for children whose parents need to bring them before the school day starts (beginning at 8:00 am) or pick them up after the end of the school day (ending at 2:30 pm). Extended Day is available only on days that a child attends preschool.

• Three-Year-Old Preschool Class A BEKA Learning Objectives
  • Language Arts
    • Recognition of name, sound, and picture for short vowels and consonants.
    • Formation of vowels and consonants in upper and lower case.
    • Language development and listening skills that include color words, shapes, animals, transportation, countries, community helpers, health, safety, manners and science.
  • Numbers
    • Simple counting
    • Number Concepts
  • Bible
    • Hymns/Choruses
    • Memory verses
    • Lessons such as Creation, Noah, Boy Samuel, Daniel, Boyhood of Jesus, Zacchaeus and Good Samaritan

• Four-Year-Old Kindergarten Class A BEKA Learning Objectives
• Language Arts
• Recognition of name, sound, and picture of long and short vowels and consonants
• Sounding of blends and one and two vowel words
• Reading of sentences and stories with one and two vowel words
• Manuscript Writing
• Formation of letters, blends, and words
• First name
• Poetry
• Poems and finger plays
• Language
• Language development and listening skills that include color words, shapes, animals, transportation, countries, community helpers, health, safety, manners and sciences
• Numbers
• Number recognition and counting 1-100
• Number concepts 1-20
• Numbers before and after 1-20
• Numbers largest and smallest 1-20
• Addition facts numbers 1-9 (+1)
• Bible
• Lessons such as Creation, Noah, Boy Samuel, Daniel, Boyhood of Jesus, Zacchaeus and Good Samaritan (includes memory verses and hymns/choruses)

• The child benefits from the experience and creativity our teachers offer. Our Teachers select a variety of Christian activities that are appropriate for the child's stage of development. There is a balance of active and quiet, indoor and outdoor, teacher-led and self-directed activities.

• Our pupil to teaching staff ratio is well within the Commonwealth of Virginia requirements of 10:1.
• WPCP is equipped to facilitate 42 students.

• There is a fenced outdoor play area that is easily accessed from the Art Room. There are slides, a playhouse, tunnel, seesaws, and sand box. There is also an indoor area that can be used for inclement weather or for activities that require more space.

• Three-Year-Old Preschool Class
• Most of the special events for this class will take place at school. The teachers will inform parents of an "away" activity so they can make plans to accompany their child and provide transportation.
• Four-Year-Old Kindergarten Class
• This class will have some events at school, but will venture out a bit more. A parent is expected to accompany their child and provide transportation. The teacher will inform parents in advance of any trips, so that parents can plan accordingly.
• Field trips can be very special for both parent and child.

• Habits of prayer and praise will be a part of each day's experience and we will acknowledge God's love and care for us. Bible stories, prayer time, singing, and weekly Chapel offer opportunities and examples for character building. The WPC pastor will visit with the children from time to time.

• Woodlawn Presbyterian Christian Preschool is exempt from licensure and classified as an "Exempt" Child Day Center, which must be inspected annually by the local health and fire department. Our facilities (classrooms, bathrooms, play areas, etc.) meet the Commonwealth of Virginia's and City of Hopewell's licensing requirements for each child's health and safety. Standards for health sanitation, water supply, building codes, and the statewide fire prevention code are met.
• The staff is prayerfully selected, with consideration given to their personal relationship with Jesus Christ, active church membership, love for children, education and experience. All staff members are certified annually by a doctor to be free of any disability that prevents them from caring for children. Criminal records and the state child abuse register are checked for all staff members.
• The preschool is a ministry of Woodlawn Presbyterian Church which is a 503c tax-exempt, nonprofit religious institution. We operate within the state mandated child to staff ratio of 10 children to 1 staff member. Our physical capacity is 42 chidlren.

• Woodlawn Presbyterian Christian Preschool is covered by the current Church Comprehensive Insurance Plan.

• The Preschool reinforces positive behavior and good manners. We amply praise children for acceptable behavior. Should misbehavior occur, we demonstrate unconditional love for the child while pointing out the behavior that is unacceptable. We encourage children to take responsibility for their own behavior, and give many opportunities for them to make positive changes. If inappropriate behavior continues, a time out will be observed. We will explain to the child why the action cannot be permitted. After a brief period, the child is reminded of alternative choices that are acceptable, taken by the hand, and invited to rejoin the group activity. This process helps the child to learn acceptable behavior and at the same time provides an opportunity to experience love, forgiveness, and reconciliation by the staff and classmates.

• Virginia state law requires all child providers to report suspected child abuse or neglect or be subject to a criminal penalty. Our teachers are aware of this responsibility and if such a case arises they will report to the Director, Chairman of the School Board, or the Pastor, who in turn will alert Child Protective Services of the Department of Social Services. Under this law, the persons reporting the incident are protected from reprisal by holding all records and reports confidential.