Grove Preschool
Where your child will learn to LOVE school!
Schedule your tour today! Call 610.696.8107
NEW for the 2024-2025 school year. Longer classes and more Full Day options!
Welcome to Grove Preschool!
Welcome to Grove Preschool……over 50 years and still growing! Grove Preschool was established in West Chester, PA in 1968. We have a proud history of helping each child make a smooth transition from home to school with our gentle and nurturing approach. Our purpose is to provide developmentally appropriate experiences in a Christian environment which will enable each child to achieve his/her full potential as an individual and in relationship with God and others. Enrollment is open to all, without regard to race or religion.
Your child’s happiness and safety are our goals. Our facility is locked and monitored during the school day to keep your children safe. All our teachers and staff have completed the required PA clearances, which include Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance, Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check and Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI).
Here is a slide show about Grove Preschool.
Grove Preschool is committed to providing the highest standard of education to all our students, staying current with educational trends, and providing continuing education opportunities for our teachers and staff. Come join our family!
What Our Parents Are Saying:
- “All 3 of our children attend Grove Preschool and we can’t say enough good things about the program! It’s a wonderful way to balance learning and play in a nurturing atmosphere. The teachers are fabulous people and very caring. We would highly recommend Grove Preschool to any family considering preschool for their child.”
- “We are thrilled with our first year at Grove! The education and learning environment far exceeded our expectations and we are looking forward to next year!”
- “The teachers are wonderful! Each of my son’s teachers was able to form a strong bond with him, while teaching him the curriculum necessary for elementary school! We are off to a great start!”
- “Wonderful first-time school experience. My child woke up every morning asking if he could come to school!”
- “Our family loves Grove! The teachers are very warm, caring and nurturing!”
Class Offerings
From younger three-year-olds to five-year-olds with summer birthdays, we have a variety of class offerings designed to accommodate your preschooler. In addition to the core class offerings please also explore our special programs and Enrichment opportunities.
Let the fun and learning begin!
Young 3’s Class
Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday mornings 9:00 to 11:30 AM
The Young Three’s Program is designed to create an enriching and supportive first preschool experience. These young learners practice important preschool routines, while developing valuable social skills. Our curriculum covers many topics and themes based on nursery rhymes and seasonal activities, in addition to Special Programs.
3-Year-Old Class
Tuesday/Thursday mornings 9:00 AM – 12:00 AM, add an optional third half day (see 3’s Bonus Days below)
The Three’s Program stresses social and emotional development through independent play and teacher-directed activities. Throughout the year, gross and fine motor skills are developed utilizing colors, shapes and numbers units. Students enjoy holiday activities, daily crafts and show and tell. They learn to print their names, use scissors properly, understand the calendar and a myriad of other skills, in addition to Special Programs.
Full Day 3's
Monday/Wednesday OR Tuesday/Thursday 8:45 – 2:40, add an optional third full day (see 3’s Bonus days below)
The Three’s Program stresses social and emotional development through independent play and teacher-directed activities. Throughout the year, gross and fine motor skills are developed utilizing colors, shapes and numbers units. Students enjoy holiday activities, daily crafts and show and tell. They learn to print their names, use scissors properly, understand the calendar and a myriad of other skills, in addition to Special Programs.
4-Year-Old Class
Monday/Wednesday/Friday mornings 9:00 – 12:00 AM, add an optional fourth half-day (see 4’s Bonus Days below)
The Four’s Program helps students build social, emotional and self-reliance skills. Through units such as colors, numbers and the alphabet, students are exposed to pre-writing skills, social studies, geography, history, citizenship, fire safety, color-word recognition, opposites, rhyming and health. The Four’s Program also includes two fun field trips, in addition to Special Programs.
Full Day 4's
Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 8:45 AM -2:40 PM, add an optional fourth full day (see 4’s Bonus Days below)
The Full Day 4’s Program was designed to extend and enrich our regular 4’s Program. Children become accustomed to a full day of school in a nurturing, supportive environment. This class gives children the additional time they need to better understand preschool concepts introduced in the half day 4’s class. Through teacher-directed and independent stations, children develop fine and gross motor skills, as well as a variety of academic skills. The Full Day 4’s encourages independence, creating confident children who are ready to move into a full day kindergarten program, in addition to Special Programs.
5-Year-Old Class
Five Mornings Monday – Friday 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The Five’s Program was uniquely designed for Grove Preschool to provide the gift of one more year. The primary goal of this class is to help students gain the confidence they need to succeed as they prepare to enter kindergarten, whether it be the need to further develop social skills or to fine tune letter and number recognition, in addition to Special Programs. Perfect for children with summer birthdays!
Bonus Days and Special Classes
In addition to our classes for children aged 3-5, we offer a variety of special programs and enrichment opportunities for your child. Whether your child loves music or sports or would enjoy added creative learning experiences, Grove Preschool offers interesting additions to the core curriculum.
Bonus Days are optional additions to each child’s regular 3- or 4-year-old class. These classes add one additional half-day or full day to our programs.
Special Programs are optional activities for your child.
3’s Bonus Days
Friday Full Day 8:45 AM – 2:40 PM OR Friday Half-Day 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Add a third full day or half day to your child’s base class.
This class is a great extension of our 3’s program! This literature-based program helps students explore the world around them using favorite children’s stories. Students enjoy many “hands on” activities, including sensory exploration, food preparation, games and dramatic play. Units include the works of Dr. Seuss, One Duck Stuck, The Polar Express, and Jan Brett’s The Mitten and The Hat. Who wouldn’t love preparing and eating green eggs and ham, playing in the mud, or hearing the bells of the Polar Express?
4’s Bonus Days
Tuesday Full Day 8:45 AM – 2:40 PM OR Thursday Half Day 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Add a third full day or half day to your child’s base class.
Children will LOVE this extra-special, theme-based class! Crafts, toys and activities help children’s imaginations come alive. Children explore a wide range of themes, such as space, dinosaurs and nature. Activities involve science, children’s literature, creative writing and cooking. This class is a great addition to our 4’s program!
Special Program: Makin’ Music
Makin’ Music is a music and movement enrichment program that has been loved by thousands of children and parents for over 20 years. The teacher plays lively fun-filled music kids will love. The rewarding experience of Makin’ Music creates natural steppingstones to formal music education and facilitates the transition to more advanced concepts.
Special Program: Lunch & Play
Lunch & Play is an optional extension of the preschool day for students attending half day programs at Grove Preschool. The program runs 5 days per week from 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM. Open reservation dates are available so parents can book several days in advance; reservations must be made at least 24 hours in advance of the desired date.
** Please note the our Young 3’s students do not qualify for this program.
Special Program: Spanish
Grove Preschool is happy to partner with Wee Play Language, a 100% hands-on foreign language program for preschoolers. Each student has a full set of materials for every lesson, so it’s always their turn. This means every student is actively engaged for the entire class. The lessons are never the same, which makes it exciting each class, but the same 200 words and expressions are emphasized all year long. It’s truly an exciting program that uses language in as natural a way as possible, which is the most effective way to learn a foreign language.
Special Program: Field Trips
Our 4-year-old students have 2 special field trips during the school year. In October they travel to Milky Way Farms to tour the dairy and to visit the farm animals. In May, the students visit Highland Orshard to learn about planting and growing crops, take a shuttle ride through the fields, enjoy apple cider donuts and cider, and have a picnic lunch.
Tuition
Tuition Policy
Tuition costs are figured on a September through May school-year basis. Each program offered by the preschool has a set tuition rate. We offer two plans for tuition payments, a Payment In-Full Plan and a Monthly Payment Plan.
Monthly Payment Plan: An initial deposit equal to the amount of 2 months’ tuition is required and due on or before May 15. The amount equal to one month’s tuition is non-refundable. The initial deposit is applied to months September and May of the child’s tuition account. Monthly payments then begin in October. October through April tuition is due on the 1st of each month. A late fee of $15 is assessed if unpaid by the 10th of the month. (Note: for programs that run October through May, the Initial Deposit is applied to October and May of the child’s tuition account and monthly payments are due November through April).
No refunds are given for illness, vacations, or storm days. Days missed due to illness, family vacations, or weather-related school closings are not made up. Falling one month behind in tuition payments may result in exclusion from the program until payment is made. If withdrawal during the year is necessary, 30 days’ written notice is required.
Important Preschool Forms and Calendar
Please download and submit these forms for each child. The Registration Form and the Enrichment Registration Form are now online at the link shown here.
- Grove Preschool 2023 – 2024 Calendar
- 2024-2025 Grove Preschool Registration Link
- Grove Preschool Health Form
- Grove Preschool Allergy Action Form
For Parent Volunteers:
Our parent volunteers need to submit the criminal and child abuse forms.
Please follow the links below to access the necessary forms.
PA Criminal History Request Forms : Download Paper Form or Online Application
PA Child Abuse History Clearance : Download Paper Form or Online Application
FBI Fingerprinting Services The Department of Education Code for volunteers is 1KG6Y3.: Link to FBI Fingerprinting Services
Contact Us
490 West Boot Road | West Chester, PA 19380 |
Grove Preschool Director: Pam Humphreys
Grove Preschool Treasurer: Cindy George
Staff
Pam Humphreys
Preschool Director
Cindy George
Preschool Treasurer
LeeAnne Brideau
Teacher
Stacey Cannon
Teacher
Stephanie Crouch
Teacher
Lauren Dugan
Teacher
Andrea Falkowski
Teacher
Rebecca Hirt
Teacher
Sarah Yearsley
Teacher
Vicki Anderson
Teaching Asst., L&P
Jackie Billingsley
Teaching Asst.
Nichole Clous
Teaching Asst.
Heather Einstein
Teaching Asst., L&P
Karen Fernandes
Teaching Asst.
Jennifer Grimes
Teaching Assistant/ Office Assistant
Megan Jacobs
Teaching Asst.
Traci McCarthy
Teaching Asst.
Judy Scaramuzza
Teaching Asst.
Nena Blaszkowski
Lunch and Play
Selina Grisolia-Merk
Lunch and Play
Lisa Roselli
Lunch and Play
Laurie Quinn
Lunch and Play