Our Mission
The Wooden Ladder Preschool is a non-profit outreach program of the Community Presbyterian Church of Ben Avon (CPCBA). The preschool is located in Ben Avon and has been serving the Avonworth and North Boroughs communities for more than 30 years. Wooden Ladder Preschool is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors and staffed by a Financial Administrator along with Lead and Assistant Teachers. We pride ourselves on our long-standing commitment to children and families in these areas. There is a Christian emphasis in the Wooden Ladder Preschool program as well as open communication with Council and members of the church.
The curriculum for all Wooden Ladder programs encourages the children in their cognitive, social, listening, language and physical development. In an atmosphere of Christian love and caring, the preschool helps children develop new skills, social competence and a feeling of self-worth by:
Providing a nurturing environment where children learn at their own developmental pace
Stressing the excitement of learning in a challenging and structured environment
Helping children gain self-confidence and self-control
Developing age appropriate listening skills
Encouraging the development of fine and gross motor skills through dance, music, art and manipulatives.
The teaching methods used include verbal, visual and experiential. Wooden Ladder Preschool programs emphasize Christian values and provide children with a nurturing environment in which they can grow and learn.
Families who are considering enrolling their child in Wooden Ladder Preschool are encouraged to make an appointment to visit our classroom. Please contact us at 412.761.9195 or woodenladderpreschool@gmail.com.
Programs
Wooden Ladder 2
The Wooden Ladder 2 program is for children ages 2 to 3 years.
This is a one day per week program meeting on Thursdays from 9-11:30 a.m. The class is limited to 6 students for every 1 teacher, with a total class size of 18 students. An additional WL2 section may be opened on Fridays pending enrollment. This introductory class helps children learn social skills, gain self-confidence, and exposes them to beginning concepts such as colors, shapes and numbers. Each class includes story time, song and dance, simple crafts, games and free play. The curriculum for the Wooden Ladder 2 program is Christian-based and encourages kindness, cooperation and sharing. The curriculum reinforces that God loves them.
Tuition for this program is $855 per school year or $95 per month.
Wooden Ladder 3
The Wooden Ladder 3 program is for potty-trained children ages 3 to 4 years.
The class meets on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The morning session meets from 9-11:30 a.m. and the afternoon session meets from 12:30-3 p.m. The class is instructed by a lead teacher and an assistant teacher. The classes are limited to 18 students. The Wooden Ladder 3 curriculum focuses on five developmental areas: Physical Well-Being and Motor Development, Approaches to Learning, Social and Emotional Development, Language, and Knowledge Acquisition and Cognitive Development. The children learn through large and small group activities such as circle time, directed centers, reading, writing, math, science, games and Christian education.
Tuition for this program is $1,485 per school year or $165 per month.
Wooden Ladder 4
The Wooden Ladder 4 program is a Pre-Kindergarten program for children ages 4 to 5 who will be attending Kindergarten the following school year.
There are two Wooden Ladder 4 sessions, the morning session, 9-11:30 a.m., and the afternoon session, 12:30 to 3 p.m. This four day per week class meets Monday through Thursday. The class is instructed by a lead teacher and an assistant teacher. Each class is limited to 18-20 students. Like the Wooden Ladder 3 program, the Wooden Ladder 4 curriculum focuses on the five developmental areas. Wooden Ladder 4 is known as one of the best Pre-Kindergarten programs in the area. The teachers of Wooden Ladder 4 work to ensure that the children who complete Wooden Ladder 4 have all of the skills needed to enter kindergarten. Wooden Ladder 4 students are ages 4 to 5 whose families anticipate a transition to kindergarten the following year. The classes are staffed with a lead teacher with elementary/early education certification and an assistant teacher. Classes include reading, writing, language arts, math and science. Learning takes place in small and large groups though directed centers.
Tuition for this program is $1,980 per school year or $220 per month.
Wooden Ladder Friday Program
The Wooden Ladder Friday class is offered to students currently enrolled in WL3 or WL4. A combination of small group work time and whole group activities extends upon the skills, activities, and concepts of the week. Additional activities may include educational games, art, science activities, sand table, play dough, and crafts. This program allows children more time to explore, discover and expand upon the skills they are learning in their weekly classes, as well as to have fun learning and playing with friends. This class is limited to 18 students, and is offered pending a minimum enrollment as determined by the Wooden Ladder Board of Directors.
Tuition for this program is $450 per school year or $55 per month.
The Wooden Ladder Board of Directors
The Wooden Ladder Board of Directors consists of educators with many years of teaching experience, parents of current students, parents of former students, members of CPCBA, and members of the community.
The Wooden Ladder Board of Directors meets virtually or at CPCBA monthly at 7:00 p.m. Our Lead Teachers and Financial Administrator also participate in these monthly meetings. If you have an issue that you would like to bring before the Wooden Ladder Board, please advise the chair of the Board via email woodenladderpreschoolboard@gmail.com.or via contact information below:
Dr. Philip P, Kerstetter
(919) 920-1662
Alternate email: Ppkeagle@comcast.net