Our Savior Early Childhood Center, Kindergarten and Extended Care Expands Nationally Accredited Program Offerings

Our Savior Early Childhood Center, Kindergarten and Extended Care, a ministry of Our Savior Lutheran Church, located at 23290 Highway 7 in Excelsior, is expanding their educational offerings for area children for the upcoming 2017-2018 school year, which begins on Tuesday, September 5.

Children aged 24 months to Pre-K are served with the center’s Early Childhood Program. High-quality childcare is offered year round, Monday through Friday from 6:30am to 6:00pm. The center’s programming features both morning and afternoon snacks, a hot lunch catered by Premier Kitchen Inc., a full sized gymnasium and a beautiful, fenced in playground.

The center’s newly established Toddler program, now celebrating its first complete year, provides care for children 24-36 months. This group of children enjoys all the programming benefits of the older children in addition to a large motor room designed for little ones to move and play in a safe environment.

Our Savior Early Childhood Center also has a wonderful preschool program, now in its thirty-seventh year. The preschool enjoys specials such as music and Spanish classes, age-appropriate Chapel services, indoor and outdoor play times and a Christian curriculum that lays a foundation of faith in the lives of the children. Preschool hours are from 8:30 – 11:30am with parents selecting from 2, 3, 4, or 5 day options.

The center’s Kindergarten program offers students their first taste of a formal education setting. Students begin their academic journey laying firm foundations in math, reading, critical and creative thinking skills, while also developing social and emotional skills through play. Technology foundations are also provided as the teacher presents lessons integrating Smartboards. Chromebooks are used with web-based learning resources. The program also specializes in preparing young students for future Spanish and Chinese emergent programs, providing strong foundations in all areas of study especially language arts and math. Our Savior Kindergarten students regularly score above national averages in Measures of Academic Progress testing. Kindergarten class hours are 8:15am to 2:45pm, Monday through Friday; with a half day option ending at 11:40am.

Our Savior Lutheran Church also offers the community an Extended Care program before and after school for students from Excelsior and Minnewashta Elementary Schools. Extended Care uses fully all the wonderful spaces on campus, and offers students study time, snacks, devotions, service projects and play time. Students travel to and from their schools using the Minnetonka School’s busing program. Extended Care operates each summer as well with programming expanded to include the well-known Camp Genesis. Extended Care is open Monday through Friday from 6:30am – 6:00pm.

Our Savior Early Childhood Center, Kindergarten and Extended Care has earned accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) – the nation’s leading organization of early childhood professionals. The NAEYC Accreditation system was created to set professional standards for early childhood education, and to help families identify high-quality preschools, child care centers, and other early education programs.

According to school principal, Fred Limmel, “NAEYC Accreditation lets families in our community know that children in our programs have teachers who create engaging learning environments, enhance relationships with parents and families, and develop rich experiences for students in an environment where they can thrive as they learn. Our programs are further enhanced with a foundation in faith formation.”

All programs are offered in secure, clean, comfortable and inviting facilities, including a state-of-the-art gymnasium and fenced in outdoor play area. Small class sizes allow for individualized learning.

Full and partial tuition assistance is available for students based upon the family’s level of need.

The center enrolls students on a year-round basis.

Our Savior Lutheran Church also offers support to mothers with children age birth through kindergarten with their MOPS (Mothers of Pre Schoolers) Program. This free program meets every other Friday from 9:15-11:30 a.m. for coffee, brunch, guest speakers, fellowship and support. Childcare is provided.

To learn more about Our Savior Early Childhood Center, Kindergarten and Extended Care, or for a personal tour, contact Fred Limmel at 952-474-5181 (x219) or visit the center’s website at www.OurSaviorSchool.org. For more information on MOPS, contact mops.oslcsmn@gmail.com