CALVARY CHAPEL Preschool
Preschool at Calvary Chapel Schools
A nurturing environment where your child will discover the world around them through hands-on experiences rooted in faith.
Serving children ages 2 through 6
You are your child’s first and most important teacher. We’re here to walk alongside you.
The preschool years are filled with important firsts—first friendships, growing independence, learning to manage big feelings, and discovering the joy of learning. You’re laying the foundation for who your child is becoming, and we want to partner with you through these important years.
You’ve already begun nurturing your child’s faith at home. At Calvary Schools, a private Christian preschool, we build on that foundation by helping your child grow in their relationship with God, build meaningful relationships with others, strengthen self-regulation and independence, and build a strong academic foundation.
Together, we can help your child grow in faith, character, relationships, and a love of learning—while discovering the gifts and abilities God has given them.
Explore Preschool at Calvary Chapel Schools
Learning Environment
As you know your child best, our teachers take the time to personally know your child as well—celebrating their strengths with you, understanding where they need support, and providing the individual encouragement they need to grow, develop confidence, and build lifelong skills.
Discover
Beginning at age two, your child’s never-ending “Why?” becomes an invitation to DISCOVER. Our teachers come alongside you, guiding your child to use their God-given senses to explore our classroom environment and discover how they learn best.
As your child learns and grows, our teachers help them see God’s goodness and grace in the everyday things they do and the relationships they build.
From the moment you arrive, your child is greeted by name by familiar faces who know them and care about them. With a 12:1 student-to-teacher ratio, our experienced teachers have the time and support to give each child the attention they need to feel known, build trust, and grow in confidence.
Each classroom includes sensory centers where your child can explore, try new things, and learn in ways that support their individual development.
Learning continues outdoors, where your child can dig in the soil, plant, observe, and wonder about how things grow. In spaces such as Abba’s Garden, our teachers guide your child’s curiosity through hands-on experiences, imaginative play, and monthly themes that help them discover more about God’s creation.
Explore Our Private Christian Preschool in Orange County
Have questions about how our nurturing environment will support your child each day? Our team is here to help you learn more and guide you through the next step.
Program Details
As you begin to look at preschool options, practical questions quickly come into focus:
- What schedule works best for our family?
- When can my child start?
- Will there be flexibility as our needs change?
You want to feel confident that when you leave your child with us, this will be a place where your child will grow in a nurturing environment each day.
Your child will be placed in a program that aligns with their age and developmental stage:
- Toddlers (Age 2)
- Preschool (Age 3)
- Transitional Kindergarten (Ages 4-5)
Enrollment & Age Guidelines:
Your child’s placement follows California state age guidelines (September 1 cutoff). Families may begin the application process as long as their child will meet the age requirement.
Children enrolling in our 2-year-old program may begin on or after their second birthday, even if it falls after September 1. We accept applications year-round, with enrollment opportunities available from August through July.
We understand that every family’s needs are different, which is why we offer flexible scheduling options:
- 2-Day Program (for TK): Tuesday and Thursday Schedules
- 3-Day Program: Monday / Wednesday / Friday
- 5-Day Program: Monday – Friday
- Half School Day (available for all school days): 8:15 a.m — 12:15 a.m.
- Full School Day (available for Toddlers, Preschool, and TK): 8:15 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
- School Year: Year-long program (August–July), with optional prorated summer participation
Each day includes a balance of classroom learning centers and instruction, circle time, and hands-on activities. There are also opportunities for outside play, instructional, and thematic units continued in our outdoor certified classroom in Abba’s Garden.
For families who need additional flexibility, extended care is available daily:
- Before Care: 7:00 a.m. — 7:30 a.m.
- Extended Care: 3:30 p.m. — 5:30 p.m.
During extended care, children enjoy a mix of supervised play, creative activities, and time to unwind in a safe and caring environment.
Day in the Life of a Calvary Preschool Student
Sample Schedule
Morning
- Arrival and review of the day
- Physical education
- Morning meeting and Bible time
- Snack and outdoor play
Mid-Day
- Curriculum instruction, hands-on learning centers, and storytime.
- Discovery Sensory Room and Abba’s Garden play and instructional activity
- Lunch with classmates
- Half-day dismissal option at 12:15 p.m.
- Weekly chapel and library time
Afternoon
- Rest/nap time for full-day students
- Wake-up, snack, and closing meeting
- End-of-day 3:00 p.m. dismissal
- Optional extended care with supervised play
Words from a Preschool Parent
“The foundation this preschool provided for my children — spiritually, emotionally, and socially — has been so impactful. My oldest is now in 7th grade, and the friendships we formed during our preschool years are still a meaningful part of our lives today. The teachers and staff pour so much love and care into each child, and it shows in every interaction.”
— Claudia J., CCS Parent
Academic Distinctives
As your child becomes more ready to learn, you want to know they’re getting what they need to grow and be ready for what comes next. Our teachers get to know your child, meet them where they are, and guide them through experiences that build the skills and confidence they need for their next step.
Your child will build essential early learning skills through a program aligned with the California Preschool Foundations grounded in a biblical worldview, supporting development at the right pace:
- Bible lessons and daily organic discussions for spiritual formation
- Language instruction through phonics based, whole-body instruction, and mathematical concepts through hands-on manipulatives
- Circle time that builds structure and independence
- Sensory-rich learning experiences, including our certified outdoor classroom, Abba’s Garden, STEAM Lab, and the Discovery Room, designed to encourage imaginative play and hands-on discovery
Your child will develop the skills needed for a successful transition into kindergarten — spiritually, academically, socially, and emotionally:
- Discovering God’s goodness and love for all
- Early literacy and foundational academic skills
- Social-emotional growth supported through guided play, self-regulation and creating healthy relationships
- Opportunities to collaborate with communication, problem solving, and respect for others
- A balance of structure and flexibility through intentional learning centers, where your child will develop independence while still receiving guidance and support
- Repeated practice of independent self-help skills and independent work, classroom procedures, increased adaptability, and following 3 step directions
Your child will be supported by experienced, dedicated teachers who understand the importance of these early years:
- Experienced teachers with longevity at our school
- Support for a range of learning needs, including collaboration with your family’s outside ABA providers when appropriate
- Additional support staff involved as needed
- Strong relationships built with both children and families
Technology is used sparingly so your child can stay engaged in hands-on, relational learning:
- Emphasis on person-to-person interaction
- No iPads in the classroom
- Limited use of tools like a smart board or document reader during phonics instruction
- Most of the day is spent nurturing social-emotional growth and spiritual formation through play, prayer, meaningful conversations, and organic interactions
- Academic foundations are introduced through creative, intentional learning centers and brief whole-group lessons
You want to know what your child’s day looks like and feel connected even when you’re not here. Our teachers make that connection personal—from conversations at drop-off and pick-up to photos, classroom updates, and messages through the Brightwheel app.
You’ll also have many opportunities to be part of your child’s preschool experience, from family breakfasts and classroom celebrations to holiday and Homecoming parades. And we love having grandparents as part of our preschool family too—our Eaglets have so much to learn from their Wise Owls.
Meet a teacher
Natalie Johnston
“I integrate my Christian faith into my student interactions and classroom by helping children see God’s creation in the world around them — from the amazing animals we learn about to the unique way each of us are made. I also pour into their faith through daily prayer, praying together during moments of challenge and joy. In this way, students learn that God is present in every part of their lives.”
- B.A. in Child Development
- M.A. in Early Childhood Education
- 11 Years of Teaching Experience
Discover Calvary chapel Preschool
After learning more about our program and hearing from one of our teachers, the next step is seeing it for yourself. We invite you to visit our Christ-centered preschool in Santa Ana, serving families throughout Costa Mesa and Orange County, and experience the nurturing environment your child will be part of each day.
