First School

PHILOSOPHY

Full-day Preschool at First Baptist Decatur

Contact us at 470-947-2980

The First School is a full-day preschool and ministry of First Baptist Decatur located at 308 Clairemont Avenue, Decatur, Georgia 30030.

The goal at First School is to provide preschoolers with a safe, nurturing environment in which they can learn and grow.

First School is licensed by Bright from the Start, the state of Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning, and provides classes for ages 3-months through the PreK year (4-years-old).

Philosophy of First School

At First School, we believe a child’s self-confidence builds social competence. Guided by this belief, our approach to learning embraces the whole child and encourages each to develop a sense of self and mature their social skills. At all age levels, we are intentional about engaging, supporting, and challenging children as they learn about themselves and explore their world. We strongly believe in partnering with families to embrace diverse personalities and individual learning styles.

We intentionally plan free play and structured times of the day to incorporate this philosophy into the curriculum, emphasizing developmentally appropriate practices for ages 3 months to 5 years to address the physical, social, emotional, and cognitive growth of each child. We encourage children to explore, investigate and engage with the environment and with others. We focus on building the confidence and competence in their larger world. Our holistic approach is set to educate the whole child and embrace the efforts.

Curriculum

First School utilizes a thematic curriculum involving both group and individual experiences. As a faith-based preschool, daily prayers, and chapel for the older children are incorporated into the student’s day.

While teaching to all the senses through the use of manipulatives and teacher instruction, the areas of math, science, language arts, and reasoning are introduced in age-appropriate activities. Our curriculum includes Spanish for 3 & 4 year olds and music for all ages at no additional cost.

Social growth, as well as attention to developmental milestones, is a top priority. The students leave First School prepared to learn wherever they go.

Extracurricular

First School offers extracurricular activities for an additional fee. Sign up for Dance, Soccer, and Eco Art & Spanish by clicking the links below. NOTE: These activities require enrollment in our First School program.

Creative Movement and Dance Ballet, Wednesdays at 11:30am and 12:30pm
Soccer Shots, Tuesdays at 9:30am, 10:00am and 10:30am
Eco Art & Spanish, Fridays at 2:30pm

Classroom Details

Each classroom teacher gives the parents a list of supplies they need for their child.

The school provides nutritious morning and afternoon snacks and lunch (menus emailed to parents each week). Snacks usually include one or two of the following: a grain, a milk product, a fruit (100% juice or seasonal fruit), or a vegetable. The lunches include a protein, two servings of vegetables or fruits, milk, and a grain.

Qualifications and Safety

All the staff at First School are certified in CPR and First Aid and are required to complete a minimum of 10 hours of continuing education every year. Most of the staff have an education degree or are CDA certified (Child Development Associate). All have current background checks with fingerprints.

First School is following COVID-19 guidelines advised by the CDC and required by Bright from the Start. Proper social distancing, separation of classrooms and their students, handwashing, cleaning of equipment, and evening deep cleaning by professionals are some of the recommendations we are following. Once in the classroom, we focus on the social and emotional health of the child and try to create a day full of fun, friends, and fellowship.