Our Beginning

In 1946, Mamie Heinz founded First Presbyterian Church Day Kindergarten. “Miss Mamie” was a much sought after consultant in early childhood education and passed the directorship onto Mrs. Rosalie Parris in 1950 when she moved to Washington, D.C. to continue her career well into her eighties. Ms. Heinz published Growing and Learning in the Kindergarten in 1959. Thanks to Mamie Heinz’s leadership and Rosalie Parris’s directorship until her retirement in 1974, the preschool had a strong beginning. First Presbyterian Preschool is the oldest, continuously operating preschool in Georgia.

Present Day

212 students are enrolled in the 2011-2012 school year. We are fully accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS/CASI).

Our Mission, Vision & Philosophy:

• The mission of our school is to provide a high-quality academic education integrated with a Christian environment of love, support, and acceptance
• Stemming from our mission, we envision a learning community where children develop skills necessary to construct their own knowledge and prepare them for their next school environment.
• Each child at First Presbyterian Preschool is celebrated as a unique creation of God. Therefore, we attempt to individualize instruction according to the needs and skills of each student. We strive to do this in an atmosphere of love and understanding rather than in a climate that pressures a child. The Preschool welcomes and celebrates children and families of all ethnic, racial, religious and cultural backgrounds.

Our Core Values & Beliefs:

DISCOVERY

• We believe developmentally appropriate early childhood experiences foster wonder and a life-long love for learning.
• We believe that through inquiry and shared experiences, children build upon their existing knowledge.
• We believe the classroom environment provides authentic learning opportunities through creativity and purposeful play.

NURTURANCE

• We believe an inclusive environment that embraces individuality promotes children’s social, emotional, physical, cognitive, and spiritual growth and development.
• We believe that validating children’s feelings builds self-esteem and mutual respect among students and teachers.
• We believe a warm and accepting approach to teaching encourages children to express themselves freely and make appropriate choices.
• We believe an intimate, expertly guided, small group atmosphere provides the best early out-of-home setting to develop socialization skills.

COMMUNITY

• We believe that exposing children to people of varied ages, ethnic, social and religious backgrounds, familial dynamics, and physical and mental abilities teaches respect for others and fosters a climate of inclusion.
• We believe that a partnership with parents is essential to the learning and overall success of our children and the school.
• We believe that teaching children to care for their surroundings and people with whom they interact, enables them to be good stewards of their resources and compassionate to those around them.

SPIRITUALITY

• We believe each person is loved by God and has worth and dignity.
• We believe that through monthly chapel, prayer, and adult modeling, children find responsibility and empathy for our world.
• We believe in embracing children of varied faiths, while celebrating Christian traditions.