At St. John's Preschool, our commitment to excellence sets us apart as the ideal choice for your child's early education. Our preschool offers a meticulously crafted program designed to provide a values-rich, developmentally appropriate experience for children. With a strong focus on fostering positive self-esteem, mutual acceptance, and curiosity, our preschool creates an environment where every child thrives.

The personalized, caring, and supportive atmosphere at St. John's Preschool ensures that your child not only learns but also develops crucial social and motor skills. Our committed staff, who have received certification from the Office of Childcare Licensing, are passionate about building a vibrant preschool community that values diversity. Enrolling your child at St. John's Preschool means embarking on a journey where every day is a joyful exploration, laying the foundation for personal, spiritual, social, and academic success as they begin their educational experience.

Two Year Old Program: 2 days/week (M-Th) 9:00-11:30

This program is designed for students who are two years old or turning three during or after the school year. This program has a heavy focus on a child’s first preschool experience. Children gain independence and confidence through learning to say goodbye and knowing that mom or dad will return shortly. Children learn through songs, fingerplays, and hands-on activities that are developmentally appropriate for this age group. The main focus of this program is for students and parents to love their first school experience.

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Three Year Old Program: 3 days/week (T-Th) 9:00-11:30

This program is designed for students who are three at the start of the year and will turn four some time during or after the school year. Our three- to four-year-old students have higher expectations, with more emphasis on letter and number recognition. Their circle time is longer and their activities are designed to meet their needs at this developmental stage. All of our classes participate in art, dramatic play and outdoor play daily. 

Pre-Kindergarten Program: 4 days/week (M-Th) 9:00-1:00

This program is designed for students who are four at the start of the school year and will turn five. These students will be working towards kindergarten readiness. There is a greater emphasis on letter recognition as these friends move into identifying and blending sounds to start the reading process. The program is designed for students to learn in small group rotations that cover reading, handwriting, STEM, art, technology and independence. The goal of this program is to have students ready for the rigors of kindergarten.

Kindergarten: 4 days/week (M-Th) 9:00-1:00

This program is new to SJP and is designed for students who are 5 at the start of the year. Students engage in a print-rich curriculum that meets and exceeds the DE learning standards. It is an accelerated program designed to prepare students for their entry into first grade in all areas of learning.

The St. John's Preschool school year begins in September and ends in May.

Preschool Office Hours

Monday thru Thursday: 8:30 - 1:30

Preschool Hours

Kindergarten (5 years old at the start of the school year)

Monday thru Thursday, 9:00-1:00

Pre-Kindergarten (Four/Five Year-Old Program)

Monday thru Thursday, 9:00-1:00

Preschool (Three/Four Year-Old Program)

Tuesday thru Thursday, 9:00-11:30

Toddler (Two/Three Year-Old Program)

Monday/Wednesday Class, 9:00-11:30

Tuesday/Thursday Class, 9:00-11:30

Stay & Play After-School Hours

Scheduled on select Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11:30-1:00

St. John’s Preschool is a state-licensed preschool that meets all standards for children’s health, safety, and well-being. The Delaware Office of Childcare Licensing (OCCL) is responsible for setting these standards. The license is obtained by the OCCL and is renewed annually. A copy of the license is displayed in the preschool office. 

The primary goal of St. John’s Preschool is to operate as a school for young children, not a daycare center.

You can call us at 302-629-2289. You can email us at stjohnspreschool123@gmail.com. You can also send us a message via our contact form.

If you would like to visit us in person, we are at 300 N Pine St, Seaford, DE 19973.

Yes!  Kindergarten is being offered and will remain a state-registered private school.  Also, we are looking to expand our kindergarten space!  Stay tuned for further updates regarding this project. 

Yes.  St. John’s Preschool follows the Seaford School District’s guidelines for entry into kindergarten.  Students in the 2 y/o class must be 2 by August 31, 2023.  Students in the 3–4 year old class must be 3 by August 31, 2023.  Students in the Pre-K classes must be 4 by August 31, 2023.  If your child was admitted prior to the registration process and is not currently in the appropriate class, he or she can continue on the path that he or she is on.  Your child’s teachers will discuss your plans for these circumstances at parent conferences.   

Very few things in life are guaranteed, but with 100% certainty, I can tell you that there will be some sort of staffing changes.  We work hard to retain our employees and to have low turnover, but some things are not under our control.  Staff members leave for a multitude of reasons.  Sometimes personal events happen that change a staff member’s circumstances, and the part-time employment that St. John’s Preschool offers them no longer suits their needs.  We do hope all of our staff come back next year.  What we can guarantee to you, as parents, is that all new staff members will meet the requirements set by the DE State Office of Childcare Licensing or will take the appropriate means to become certified.  Also, the staff-to-student ratio is set by the state, and we always abide by those guidelines.

Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee a specific teacher, but we do try to accommodate your requests.  You may note a request on the first page of your packet. 

Yes!  Extra registration packets will be available by asking your child’s teacher or visiting Mrs. Murphy’s office.  We would love for you to invite your family and friends to join the SJP family.  Yes, you may send someone else to register your child for you. 

Absolutely!  Mrs. Murphy will send packets home with all students not meeting the cutoff date for kindergarten.  Your student is permitted to attend kindergarten in our program if he or she does not meet the August 31st cut off.  Talk to Mrs. Murphy about that option.  

Traditionally, families that have had a specific need (for example, M/W or T/Th 2-year-old classes) have planned to arrive at the beginning of registration.  There is no need to arrive early or stand in line this year for the prekindergarten class.  There is a spot for all of our students moving into pre-k and kindergarten. 

Yes. A more in-depth explanation will be sent home, but the operating expenses of the preschool have increased, thus forcing us to increase our operational budget.  Also, the State of Delaware is instituting a minimum wage hike. The budget proposed will reflect those increases as well. 

Registration packets will be sent home with all students at the beginning of February.  Printing of the packets is currently on hold until the 2023-2024 budget is approved by the SJUMC Finance Committee.  This is scheduled for the end of January.  Once tuition and registration fees have been approved, packets will come home with students.  Look for packets in your child’s backpack at the beginning of February. 

In-House Registration is for families currently enrolled in St. John’s Preschool.  Public registration opens the process for new families that do not have current students.  Having two different registrations gives our current families the opportunity to register for the class that they prefer first.