The early years of a child's life represent a critical period of development when foundations for learning, social skills, and spiritual growth are established. At St. Paul Lutheran Preschool in Royal Oak, we provide a nurturing Christ-centered environment where young children can thrive intellectually, socially, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.

Building Faith and Foundations in Early Childhood

Our preschool program partners with parents in educating children by teaching the Christian faith in accordance with the Holy Scriptures while following the Early Childhood Standards of the State of Michigan. We believe these formative years deserve an educational approach that values the whole child and recognizes the importance of both academic readiness and spiritual formation.

Our Christian Preschool Approach

Developing the Whole Child

St. Paul Lutheran Preschool designs its early childhood education program to address every aspect of child development:

• Social Development: Children learn cooperation, sharing, and positive interaction through guided play and group activities
• Emotional Growth: Our nurturing environment helps children express feelings appropriately and develop empathy for others
• Physical Development: Both fine and gross motor skills are strengthened through age-appropriate activities
• Language Skills: Rich conversation, stories, songs, and early literacy activities build strong communication foundations
• Cognitive Learning: Age-appropriate math concepts, problem-solving, and thinking skills are introduced through hands-on activities
• Spiritual Formation: Daily Bible stories, prayers, and faith integration help children understand God's love for them

Play-Based Learning with Purpose

Our child-centered, play-based curriculum allows for many hands-on, memorable learning experiences. We recognize that young children learn best through active engagement with their environment and meaningful interactions with caring adults.

Through carefully designed play opportunities, children develop:

• Critical thinking skills
• Creativity and imagination
• Language and communication abilities
• Problem-solving strategies
• Social-emotional competence
• Early math and literacy concepts

Individualized Attention

Your child will benefit from our individualized instruction and one-on-one attention. Our exceptional staff-to-child ratios allow teachers to know each child's unique strengths, interests, and needs:

• 3-year-olds: 1 teacher to every 8 children (1:8)
• 4-year-olds: 1 teacher to every 10 children (1:10)

These smaller group sizes allow teachers to provide the personal guidance and support that young children need to thrive in an early educational setting.

Christ-Centered Environment

What truly sets our preschool apart is the integration of faith throughout the day. Young children at St. Paul experience:

• Daily Bible stories presented at their developmental level
• Age-appropriate prayers before meals and activities
• Christian songs and finger plays that reinforce biblical concepts
• Teachers who model Christian values and character
• A loving atmosphere that reflects God's care for each child

This Christ-centered approach helps children understand that they are precious to God and part of His creation, building a foundation of faith that can grow throughout their lives.

Program Options for Royal Oak Families

3-Year-Old Preschool

Our program for 3-year-olds focuses on:

• Social and emotional development
• Following classroom routines
• Introduction to basic academic concepts
• Fine and gross motor skill development
• Bible stories and Christian songs
• Learning through play and exploration

4-Year-Old Pre-Kindergarten

Our program for 4-year-olds builds on these foundations while preparing children for kindergarten success through:

• More advanced pre-reading and pre-math activities
• Extended project-based learning
• Greater independence in tasks and activities
• Enhanced social problem-solving skills
• Deeper spiritual concepts and memory verses
• Kindergarten readiness skills

Schedule Options

We offer flexible scheduling to meet the needs of Royal Oak families:

• Half-day and full-day options
• 2-day, 3-day, and 5-day attendance patterns
• Extended care available before and after regular preschool hours

Life in Royal Oak and Early Childhood Education

Royal Oak offers families a vibrant community with exceptional amenities, making it an ideal place to raise young children. As a city that values both tradition and progress, Royal Oak provides a family-friendly environment with numerous parks, a walkable downtown, excellent libraries, and community events that enrich family life.

Community Connections

St. Paul Lutheran Preschool has been an integral part of the Royal Oak community for generations. Our downtown location makes us accessible to families throughout Royal Oak and surrounding communities. We participate in local events and encourage our families to connect with the rich resources available in our city.

Royal Oak's strong sense of community aligns perfectly with our preschool's emphasis on relationships, belonging, and caring for others. Children at St. Paul learn to be good neighbors and community members from their earliest years, values that resonate with Royal Oak's friendly, welcoming atmosphere.

Educational Continuity

For Royal Oak families seeking educational continuity, St. Paul offers a seamless pathway from preschool through 8th grade. This continuity allows children to build on their early learning foundations in a familiar, faith-based environment throughout their elementary and middle school years.

Many Royal Oak families appreciate this opportunity for their children to grow academically and spiritually within one caring community from their earliest school experiences through early adolescence.

What to Look for in a High-Quality Preschool Program

As you consider early childhood education options in Royal Oak, these quality indicators can help you evaluate different programs:

Qualified and Caring Teachers

High-quality preschools employ teachers who:

• Have specialized training in early childhood education
• Demonstrate genuine warmth and care for young children
• Understand child development and age-appropriate expectations
• Communicate effectively with parents
• Continue their professional development

At St. Paul, our preschool teachers are not only professionally qualified but also committed to our Christian mission of nurturing each child in faith and learning.

Developmentally Appropriate Curriculum

Quality preschool programs offer curriculum that:

• Addresses all developmental domains (cognitive, social, emotional, physical, spiritual)
• Incorporates play-based learning rather than focusing primarily on academics
• Provides hands-on, concrete learning experiences
• Balances structured activities with free exploration
• Can be adapted to meet individual children's needs

Our curriculum at St. Paul reflects these best practices while integrating Christian faith concepts throughout all learning areas.

Safe, Stimulating Environment

The physical environment of a quality preschool should be:

• Clean, safe, and well-maintained
• Arranged to promote both independence and interaction
• Equipped with age-appropriate materials and equipment
• Organized into different learning centers or areas
• Inviting and engaging for young children

Our classrooms at St. Paul are thoughtfully designed to support young children's learning and development in a secure, nurturing environment.

Positive Approach to Guidance

Look for a program that:

• Uses positive guidance techniques rather than punishment
• Helps children develop self-regulation skills
• Teaches conflict resolution and problem-solving
• Maintains consistent, reasonable expectations
• Partners with parents on behavioral concerns

Our Christian approach to guidance at St. Paul emphasizes respect, forgiveness, and growth, helping children develop both self-discipline and compassion for others.

Strong Family Partnerships

Quality preschools recognize parents as their children's first and most important teachers. They:

• Communicate regularly about children's experiences and progress
• Welcome parent involvement in various ways
• Provide resources to support parenting
• Respect family values and cultural backgrounds
• Create a sense of community among families

At St. Paul, we view education as a partnership between home and school, especially in these formative early years when such collaboration is particularly important.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what age can my child start preschool at St. Paul?

Children must be 3 years old by September 1st to enter our 3-year-old program and 4 years old by September 1st to enter our Pre-K program. All children must be fully toilet-trained before beginning preschool.

Do children need to be Lutheran to attend your preschool?

No. While St. Paul Lutheran Preschool is grounded in Lutheran theology, we welcome families from various Christian denominations and those who may not have a church home. Our preschool has been serving Royal Oak families of diverse backgrounds for generations.

How does your Christian preschool prepare children for kindergarten?

Our program develops the whole child—spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally, and physically. This comprehensive approach ensures children develop the foundational skills needed for kindergarten success, including listening skills, following directions, pre-reading and pre-math concepts, social interaction, and fine motor development, all within a Christian context that nurtures character development.

What does a typical day look like in your preschool?

While activities vary by age group, a typical day includes:

• Welcome and free choice activities
• Circle time (calendar, weather, Bible story, music)
• Learning centers (art, science, math, literacy, dramatic play)
• Snack and prayer time
• Outdoor or large motor play
• Small group activities
• Music and movement
• Closing and dismissal

Full-day programs include lunch, rest time, and additional learning activities.

How do you incorporate faith into the preschool day?

Faith is integrated throughout our program, not just during Bible story time. Children experience prayer before meals and activities, sing Christian songs, learn about God's love through Bible stories, and are guided by teachers who model Christian values in their interactions. We help children see God's hand in all aspects of learning and daily life.

What safety measures are in place at your preschool?

St. Paul Lutheran Preschool prioritizes child safety through secure entry procedures, staff background checks, regular safety drills, proper supervision ratios, and a clean, well-maintained environment. All staff are trained in first aid and CPR, and we maintain clear procedures for health concerns and emergencies.

How do you communicate with parents?

We believe in strong home-school communication. Parents receive weekly newsletters, have access to our online parent portal, participate in two formal conferences yearly, and can communicate directly with teachers through email or brief conversations at drop-off and pick-up. We also host family events throughout the year to build our school community.

Begin Your Child's Journey at St. Paul Lutheran Preschool

We invite Royal Oak families to discover the warm, nurturing environment of St. Paul Lutheran Preschool, where young children develop a love for learning and a foundation of faith that can last a lifetime.

Schedule a Visit

Experience our preschool program firsthand by scheduling a tour. Call our school office at 248-546-6555 to arrange a visit where you can observe our classrooms, meet our teachers, and learn more about our approach to early childhood education.

Enrollment Process

Our enrollment process is straightforward:

1. Schedule an initial visit and receive application materials
2. Submit your completed application and registration fee
3. Complete the required enrollment forms
4. Attend our preschool orientation before the school year begins

Space in our preschool program is limited due to our commitment to small class sizes. We encourage interested families to begin the enrollment process early to secure a place for their child.

St. Paul Lutheran Preschool
508 Williams Street
Royal Oak, MI 48067
248-546-6555
Fax: 248-546-8096

Nurturing young hearts and minds in Royal Oak for over a century