Early Childhood Education
Where Spirit, Study, and Service Begin.
At Saint Andrew, our Early Childhood Program is where your child’s imagination blooms, friendships flourish, and a lifelong love of learning begins. Our teachers nurture your child’s growing independence, social skills, and Kindergarten readiness through play and engaging, developmentally appropriate academics like counting and storytelling. Each week, specialist teachers in music, art, and library enrich your child’s experience, fostering curiosity and building a well-rounded foundation for lifelong learning.
"Two boys. One amazing school. Saint Andrew has given them confidence, friendships, and a love for learning."
Meghan G.
Play-Based Learning in Preschool
Your child will learn through play! In our classrooms, play isn’t just fun, it’s how children grow. Through building, pretending, creating, and exploring, your child will:
- Develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Strengthen early math and literacy foundations
- Build social skills like sharing, cooperation, and empathy
- Gain independence and confidence
- Nurture creativity and curiosity about the world
Play-based learning ensures your child is not only ready for kindergarten, but excited about learning every step of the way.
Learning Without Tears
A developmentally appropriate handwriting program that helps children master letter formation, recognition and proper pencil grip with confidence.
Heggerty phonemics
A program designed to build early reading skills. It focuses on phonemic awareness—the ability to hear, identify, and manipulate the individual sounds (phonemes) in spoken words.
Enrichment Classes
Engaging experiences in music & movement, library storytime, art, and gross motor activities (see below for more details).
Class Ratio
We are proud of our Student:Teacher ratio of 10:1.
Outdoor Play
Daily recess on our private playground encourages socialization while strengthening gross motor skills.
Field Trips
Beginning in Junior Kindergarten, our youngest students visit a local fire station, enjoy theater productions, explore the Lincoln Park Zoo and have on campus field trips.
Rush Executive Functioning
A Day In The Life of Our Youngest Bulldogs
Engaging experiences in music & movement, library, storytime, art, and gross motor activities spark creativity and wonder. Our campus provides endless opportunities for outdoor play and fun. Social skills like empathy and cooperation are gently nurtured each day, and families are welcomed into the classroom through special events, volunteer opportunities, and shared celebrations.
Schedule Options
Monday thru Friday - Full day or Half day option (for students who are 3 or 4 years old by September 1
Monday thru Wednesday - Half day option (for students who are 3 years old by September 1)
Baby Bulldogs
Baby Bulldogs is a weekly class for infants, toddlers and their caregivers. There will be free play followed by music and movement. Come join the fun!
Questions, contact Anne Japsen at annejapsen@gosaintandrew.com.
