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Mother's Day Out and Preschool

Welcome to First Presbyterian Mother's Day Out and Preschool!
 

Mission Statement

Our MDO and Preschool is a ministry of our church that seeks to create a love for Jesus, a love for others and a love for learning in a safe, nurturing and Christ-centered environment where each child can grow and develop spiritually, physically, intellectually, emotionally and socially. And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man (Luke 2: 52).
 

Registration and Tours

Registration for the 2024-2025 school year has been held. For program availability and more information, please contact our director, Whitney Weiner (mdo@fpcbr.org or 225.620.0245).
 
Program Tours: We would love to have you tour our program. This gives you an opportunity to see us in action, meet our teachers and learn more about our ministry. Individual parent tours are offered Tuesday–Thursday mornings. Contact our director to schedule a tour.
 

Quick Facts

  • Monday-Thursday from 9 am to 2 pm

  • 2 or 4 day per week programs (Monday-Thursday, Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday)

  • Ages: 6 months-Pre-K (must be 6 months old by September of the enrollment year)

  • Program runs late August-May (starts prior to Labor Day)

  • Low child/teacher ratios (with small class sizes and two full-time teachers in each class)

  • Video surveillance security system

  • Optional after-school program for all ages on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 2 to 2.45 pm.
     

Philosophy and Values

At First Presbyterian MDO and Preschool, we partner with parents through a relationship built on trust, communication and respect to develop and nurture the whole child’s growth and development. We know that each child is uniquely created by God and that children will grow and develop at their own individual pace. We seek to create a developmentally appropriate environment that supports children at each age and stage of development and fosters a love for learning.
 
We strive to create a love for Jesus through prayer, Scripture, Bible lessons, songs and in our daily interactions with one another. We teach and share his truth, his promises and his love with our children. We pray that our children may grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ (Ephesians 3: 17-18).
 
We seek to help children express love for others by teaching and modeling love, kindness, sharing, compassion and honesty as the foundation for a life-long pattern. Love one another, as I have loved you (John 13: 34).
 
We strive to provide a love for learning through hands-on learning and play experiences that are developmentally appropriate, intellectually stimulating and spiritually nurturing. We use teacher-guided and child-initiated learning opportunities for children to ask questions, express themselves, collaborate with others, discover and take creative risks. Our program is rich in play, as it provides children with the primary foundation for learning, exploring, problem-solving and building an understanding of our world and their role within it. Our curriculum is based on thematic units that integrate activities fostering all areas of childhood development.
 
We desire to prepare children not only for academic success but also to be a positive impact in our world, growing and exhibiting wisdom, confidence, responsibility, kindness, compassion, self-control, respect and love.
Click Here for Parent Testimonies

First Presbyterian MDO came highly recommended and we have been so blessed by this ministry. The teachers love the children and they provide a nurturing environment for them to learn and grow physically, spiritually, emotionally and intellectually. My children love MDO! They’ve learned so much and I love hearing them sing the praise and worship songs they’ve learned there. I’m so happy that our family attends First Presbyterian MDO and Preschool. It has enriched all of our lives and has blessed us abundantly. 

Lauren B.

 

We started our children at First Presbyterian MDO a few years ago. Ever since, we have watched our children receive unconditional love and support all along the way. Every single person in that building: teachers, staff, custodians, helpers, etc. have always made us feel warm and welcome. We watched our children thrive in a beautiful, loving, warm environment. Both have learned so much over the years not only academically but socially and for this we all feel blessed. Seeing our children get excited to go to school every day has never made us question our decision to send them to MDO. We are blessed beyond belief and thank God for everyone in the MDO ministry.

The L. Walker Family

 

I cannot say enough good things about First Presbyterian MDO and Preschool. I have had a child in the program for 6 straight years and we’ve seen every classroom. I have loved every single teacher we have had. They genuinely care about the children so I feel very comfortable leaving my child. The classrooms are kept clean. The families I have met will always be considered friends. It’s such a great place for kids to make friendships, learn about God and learn so many important skills to give them a good foundation before beginning big school. My children have been very prepared for the social skills and academic curriculums in big school after leaving. It makes me sad to know one day my children will outgrow First Presbyterian. 

Kate M.

 

Mother's Day Out at First Presbyterian has been a refreshing experience for my family. There are so many facets to the program that I could praise but what stands out the most to me is the devotion, patience and professionalism of the staff.  

As a former educator I truly believe that the teacher is who determines the entire tone for the classroom. Every single teacher over the last three years at First Presbyterian has poured into each of my children emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally.  Even the long-standing substitutes are one of a kind! 

The Prek3 program has taught my daughter so much in such a short time. Her teachers challenge her thinking, welcome her ideas, encourage independence and spark creativity. The foundations have been well laid as I remember her specifically coming home well-versed in what hibernation was after a certain unit in the two year old class! My husband and I were so impressed!

We love the safe environment FPCMDO has created! We love the dynamic staff and their genuine hearts! We love the fruits of their labor and the impact they have had on our children. 

Anna P.

 

We have been a part of First Presbyterian MDO since my son was 1 year old. He is now 4 and has "grown up" in the program and we couldn’t be more pleased. He has been loved, cared for, encouraged and of course has learned new things every year. Even on days when we have had issues regarding separation, the staff is so loving to him. He runs down the hall most days, anxious to get into class now. The staff and faculty truly love the children and go the extra distance to show up for them in any way they can. The teachers are very qualified as well. First Presbyterian MDO is truly an extension of our family and every year has been a blessing to my child.’

Kelley P.

 

The teachers and staff of the First Presbyterian MDO have gone above and beyond to help support my family and my preschooler. She has been able to thrive not just academically, but socially, emotionally and spiritually as well. The teachers and staff at First Presbyterian MDO have done an excellent job nurturing curiosity, creativity and classroom engagement in my preschooler. Not only has my child been blessed by MDO, but as a parent, I have been blessed too. I firmly believe there is not a better program in the city that provides such a loving and nurturing environment for my preschooler to learn and thrive. My daughter comes home singing and talking about the love and faithfulness of God and His character in ways I know didn’t come from me but from school! I’m so thankful for the nurturing Christian environment First Presbyterian provides to support my daughter not just academically, but socially, emotionally and spiritually as well.

Rebecca L.

 

As a new mom, I was uneducated about the early registration period and had contacted Whitney months after they had completed registration. She was extremely kind and compassionate toward me and stated she would notify me at the beginning of the school year if a space became available. I remember getting off the phone and praying. I prayed that if God wanted Ruby to attend First Presbyterian he would have to make a way. And Spoiler alert . . .  he did! That was four years ago! Time certainly flies and Ruby graduated from the Pre-K program this past May. The staff and every teacher at First Presbyterian have poured into my sweet little girl as if she were their own. I never once worried while she was in their care, because I knew she was good hands. And as a mom, that’s all I wanted. I can’t begin to thank them for all their kindness, compassion and love for my baby girl. They are truly some of God’s angels here on earth. (side note: thank goodness for the birth of Ruby’s sister because I wasn’t ready to say goodbye to them just yet... haha. So thankful that, God willing, we’ll get to spend another four years with them! ) 

Sommer F.

Curriculum

Our teachers use a theme-based curriculum that strives to provide each child with the opportunity to grow and learn. Children enjoy developmentally appropriate activities and “hands-on” learning experiences that seek to develop the skills necessary to be successful when they enter kindergarten. Weekly lessons integrate activities focusing on cognition, reading, math, language development, concept development, fine and gross motor, and social and emotional development. Since children naturally learn through play, our curriculum allows an enriched play experience that fosters a love of learning. 
Our day is filled with developmental based activities balanced between teacher guided and child-initiated learning including:
  • Morning Meeting and Prayer

  • Play (free play and planned learning centers)

  • Circle Time with story time, songs, music and finger plays

  • Activity Time - art activities, sensory activities, STEM and more.  (small and large group) 

  • Chapel Time with weekly Bible stories, songs and prayer that share God’s Word and his love.

  • Play: Outdoor and/or indoor play time in the gym during inclement weather and a balance between structured and unstructured playtime. We have a toddler playground and separate playground for preschool age.

We incorporate Manners of the Heart into our program as we seek to foster and create a love for Jesus, a love for others and a love for learning. This is an educational program designed to strengthen morals, improve social and emotional skills and increase respectfulness. 
 
Snack: The program will provide a daily morning snack.
 
Lunch: Parents provide lunch daily for their child. Finger foods that are ready to serve are requested. Children will need a thermos (water bottle) or sippy cup daily.
*If a child requires a special snack or drink, parents will provide.
*Our program is nut-free.
 
Nap & Rest time: Toddler age and older will need a nap mat for afternoon nap and/or rest time.
 

Chapel Time

We are a ministry of the church, desiring that each child grows in their awareness of God’s love for them. Our children gather together weekly for Chapel Time which consists of a Bible story, song and prayer all of which share God’s Word and his love with them. Teachers retell the Bible story during the week and plan activities that correlate with that week’s Bible story. 
 

Enrichment Classes

Children 3 years of age and older that are potty trained:
 
Monday: King’s Praise Creative Movement Class (2– 2.45 pm) Tuesday: Tumbling Tigers (2–2.45 pm) Wednesday: Soccer Shots (8.15–9 am) and TOT Basketball Program (2–2.45 pm) Thursday: Kids at Play (2–2.45 pm)
There is an additional cost for each of these programs.
 

Pre-K

Our Pre-Kindergarten curriculum follows a modified version of the Pre-Kindergarten Curriculum from the Louisiana State Department of Education. For more detailed information on our pre-k curriculum, click here.
 
*Alumni status is granted to those who have had a sibling attend our 3-year-old and older program within the last 10 years.