We invite families interested in Notre Dame Preschool to begin by completing an application for admission. We also encourage you to schedule a personal tour to experience our school community firsthand. To arrange a visit or ask any questions, please contact our Admissions Director, Barbara Williams, at (440) 279-1129 or bwilliams@ndes.org.
Notre Dame Preschool offers a warm, faith-filled environment where young children begin their educational journey.
Rooted in Catholic values, Notre Dame Preschool provides a caring and supportive environment where every child grows in trust, respect, and responsibility. Our faith-centered program celebrates each child’s unique gifts, fostering confident, caring, and capable young learners.
Through a holistic, hands-on curriculum, we support the spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical, and social development of every child. Guided by faith and curiosity, students learn through play, exploration, and discovery—building a strong foundation for a lifelong love of learning.
Religion
Religious instruction and daily classroom prayer help children grow in a positive self-image and a loving relationship with God. Our program incorporates Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a Montessori-based approach rooted in Scripture and liturgy. This program provides a peaceful, hands-on environment where children can deepen their faith and sense of wonder.
Language
Language development builds the foundation for communication and self-expression. Through Heggerty’s and an engaging, motion-based approach to early phonemic awareness, preschoolers explore letters and sounds while building listening, speaking, and reading readiness skills. Handwriting Without Tears supports fine motor growth and helps children form letters with confidence.
Math
Early math experiences introduce foundational concepts such as size comparison, counting, classifying, forming sets, and recognizing numerals—helping children discover patterns and problem-solving in everyday life.
Social-Emotional Development
Preschoolers learn to understand themselves and relate to others through meaningful interactions with peers and teachers. Guided play and group experiences foster empathy, independence, cooperation, and confidence.
Gross Motor Skills
Large muscle activities—such as walking, running, jumping, hopping, and skipping—build coordination, balance, and strength. Games, dance, and rhythmic movement encourage creativity, teamwork, and the joy of active play.
Fine Motor Skills
Through activities like cutting, pasting, painting, stringing beads, and shaping clay, children strengthen dexterity and hand-eye coordination. These skills prepare them for writing, reading, and other fine motor tasks.
Art
Creative art experiences encourage imagination and self-expression. Using materials such as clay, paint, crayons, and collage, children explore color, texture, and form while developing fine motor skills and confidence in their creativity.
Music
Music brings joy and energy to the classroom. Children sing, listen, move, and experiment with rhythm instruments to develop a love and appreciation for music while enhancing coordination, focus, and auditory skills.
FAQs
How do we start the application process?
When does registration begin?
We invite all interested families to register their child for Preschool Screening, which takes place in March. After the screening, registration materials will be sent directly to families to complete the enrollment process.
What is Preschool Screening?
Preschool Screening is an opportunity for your child to meet our caring Preschool Team and for us to warmly welcome your family to Notre Dame Preschool. During the screening, we also assess your child’s social and emotional readiness to ensure they are set up for a successful and joyful preschool experience.
Are there specific requirements for a child to enroll in preschool?
A child must be three years old on or before September 30th to enter the Preschool 3 program. A child must be four years old on or before September 30th to enter the Preschool 4 or Pre-Kindergarten program. All children must be potty trained before starting the school year.
When is a child considered to be potty-trained?
A child is considered potty-trained when they can use the bathroom independently, including pulling up and down their undergarments and wiping themselves. Please note that the use of pull-ups is not permitted.