Philosophy
At Raleigh Moravian Preschool we offer a child-centered program that welcomes children of any race, creed, or culture. This program is designed to help your children develop socially, cognitively, physically, and emotionally. In addition, we work to encourage language development, social skills, and creativity. We work daily to help children grow spiritually and to cooperate, problem-solve, think creatively, share, take turns, and respect their friends. Our curriculum is based on developmentally appropriate principles and activities from a Christian perspective using the Creative Curriculum series by Cate Heroman, Diane Trister Dodge, and Laura Colker as a daily guide. We also use Letterland as a teaching tool for our approach to teaching phonics. We encourage your involvement in your child’s classroom; your participation contributes to the success of your child’s experience at Raleigh Moravian Preschool.
The staff at Raleigh Moravian Preschool work as a team to meet each child’s needs with support from the church and its members, the Raleigh Moravian Preschool Church Board, the parents, and the community.
For more information about the program, please call Stephanie Williard, Preschool Director, between the hours of 8:30 am and 2:00 pm at 919-616-8873.
Daily Program
Raleigh Moravian Preschool is a half-day preschool that serves walkers through 5 years of age. The preschool is open between September and May, Monday through Friday, from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm. We are closed on holidays, teacher workdays, and during inclement weather. We offer an Early Drop-Off option that begins at 9:00 am.
Class options offered at Raleigh Moravian Preschool include two, three, four, or five days per week. Parents request a combination of days that meets their needs. All class options are available to all ages.
Curriculum
The Creative Curriculum series by Cate Heroman, Diane Trister Dodge, and Laura Colker guides us daily with our three to five-year-old children. The Creative Curriculum is a child-center based program and includes both teacher-directed and self-selected activities, quiet and active experiences, and the recognition that learning occurs in both formal and informal ways. Because young children learn best through active participation, teachers provide them with many “hands-on” activities. We are a play-based preschool with an enriching educational program for children to learn and play.
As part of the yearly program, children are evaluated by their teachers in the fall and spring. This gives the teachers an opportunity to see where each child is in their development, and it allows the teachers and parents to determine shared goals to focus on for the following school year.
In addition to the daily curriculum goals, Raleigh Moravian Preschool has daily “Specials” where children of all ages are able to gain more knowledge in specific areas. Specials include classes such as art, music, movement, Spanish, and science. Children attend Chapel in the church Sanctuary two days a week as well. During Chapel time they learn a short message and sing songs.
Teachers
As Raleigh Moravian Preschool leaders and teachers, we take seriously the trust parents place in us to care for their children. We recognize that children are gifts from God, who belong to Him, and who should be cared for as our own.
All of our teachers are chosen not only for their experience and education but also for their loving and caring attitudes towards children. All members of our staff are required to be CPR certified.
One of our teachers at Raleigh Moravian Preschool is Mrs. Wendy.
Wendy is originally from Goldsboro, NC but has lived in Raleigh for over 25 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture from North Carolina State University. Growing up, Wendy always knew she wanted to be a teacher! She has a passion for teaching and loves seeing smiles on children when they are learning something new.
Wendy’s hobbies include gardening, organizing, interior decorating and enjoying time with her family. Wendy and her husband, Zack have two kids, Lily and Davis who are in middle school.
Staff
Stephanie Williard is the Director at Raleigh Moravian Preschool.
Stephanie is a native North Carolinian and has lived in Raleigh for over twenty years. She earned an AA from St. Mary’s College and a BA from North Carolina State University.
Stephanie began her career in 1992 as a Sales Representative for a local communications company. She gained significant business and marketing experience during her ten-year tenure. In 2002, her love of children led Stephanie to accept a position as an Assistant Teacher at Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Preschool. Later in the year, she joined Westminster Presbyterian Preschool as a Team Teacher and taught there until 2007. In 2008 Stephanie began her role as director at Raleigh Moravian Preschool and has enjoyed every day since.
Stephanie, a member of Raleigh Moravian Church, served on the RMC Preschool Investigation/Planning Committee and most recently, the RMC Preschool Board.
Stephanie and her husband Charles have three wonderful children and spend most of their spare time enjoying life with Katie, Charlie, and Emma.
Connection to Raleigh Moravian Church
The Moravian Church is a Protestant denomination with more than five hundred years of history. Founded before the Lutheran, Presbyterian, or Methodist churches, Moravians have long focused on faithful living and Christian unity. The Moravian Church preaches the basics of faith, which all Christians share in common, and the Moravian Church is rich in traditions and symbols that are shared with the community throughout the church year.
Education and serving others in the community have always been important components of the Moravian Church. Christian educational programs are an integral part of the congregation’s life. Additionally, serving in the community is a strong commitment to the biblical faith that has existed since the eighteenth century and is a constant strength of the Moravian Church.
The motto of the Moravian Church dates back to the 1700s and is a simple statement of faith.
In essentials, unity;
In non-essentials, liberty;
and in all things, love.
The first phrase states there are essentials that Moravians are united in belief. The second phrase gives Moravians the liberty to celebrate their life in Christ, and the last phrase of the motto states that life should be conducted first and foremost with love of God, love of oneself, and love of others. It is in the following of this motto that Raleigh Moravian Preschool was founded and now thrives.
Raleigh Moravian Church added a new educational wing in the fall of 1997. The construction of this educational space met the needs of a growing congregation, but space was not being fully utilized on a daily basis. In 2003, as Raleigh Moravian Church celebrated its fiftieth anniversary, a goal setting and visioning process occurred. One vision expressed from this process was the creation of a weekday educational program. In March 2004, a “Weekday Children’s Program Research Committee” was appointed by the Church Board. In early 2005, this Committee made the recommendation that the congregation consider the development of a half-day preschool. In the fall of 2005, the Church Board appointed the “RMC Preschool Steering Committee.” After years of prayer, planning, and preparation, Raleigh Moravian Preschool opened in August 2008 with the mission to provide a nurturing preschool program in a Christian atmosphere benefiting the child and parent and serving as an outreach ministry to the community.