Ages 3-5

Play-based, Christ-centered Early Education

Pella Christian Early Education

Preschoolers are naturally curious and want to explore the world around them. They’ll discover new things and show signs that they’re ready for increased activities. As the parent of a preschooler, you understand just how much your child’s early experiences can set the tone for the rest of their learning journey.

At Pella Christian Schools, our preschool students experience a play-based program that promotes active discovery and exploration while learning about God and His world. 

Key Distinctives
Program Details
Typical School Day

Key Distinctives

Play-based, Christ-centered early education

Your child will learn discipleship habits and practices that shape them spiritually and transform the world around them. And they’ll each be treated as children created in God’s image while encouraging them in their unique talents and gifts. At the preschool level, parents can expect:

Experienced, dedicated staff who love Jesus Christ and know how to foster an early excitement for learning in a supportive, responsive environment.

Intentionally small class sizes that allow our teachers to truly get to know and love our littlest learners. Our student-teacher ratios are 8 to 1 for three year olds and 10 to 1 for four and five year olds.

A partnership between home and school with regular open communication between parents and staff that includes app communications, monthly newsletters and calendars, parent-teacher conferences and more!

Creativity in Core Subjects

Our learning environments encourage creating and using our imaginations. Students learn language by focusing on pre-reading and pre-writing skills, building vocabulary, handwriting practice, and journaling. And preschoolers discover how to estimate, compare, sequence, pattern, and measure through our play-based learning environments.

Positive Social Growth

Our early education programs encourage Christ-centered growth and development through a discovery approach to learning. This development is rich in experiences that help foster self-expression, self-discipline, and acceptance of others. The careful attention to positive social growth gives students the foundation they need for success in school and in life.

Age-Appropriate Facilities

We have made significant investments to keep our students physically and emotionally safe. Our newly renovated early education wing was built specifically for our littlest learners — featuring age-appropriate classrooms, restrooms, furniture, and activities. Doors remain locked, and our preschoolers enjoy a fenced-in nature-scape playground.

Grand Friends Spotlight

Pella Christian early education students partner with Pella’s Hearthstone Senior Living Community residents for our Grand Friends program. Preschoolers learn alongside a resident as they sing, craft, play games, listen to stories, and share time together.

This experience helps our young children, even at the tender ages of 4 and 5 years old, learn what it means to live as faithful followers of Jesus as they shine love and light on those in need. It is a blessing to see relationships form between preschoolers and their Grand Friends throughout their time together.

Program Details

3s Preschool

In this warm introduction to the Pella Christian Schools community, students engage in play-based learning activities that promote academic, social, emotional, and spiritual development. Our early education teachers help students discover God’s love and how to share it with others and equip them to create positive interactions with classmates and adults.

2024/2025 classes offered:

Half Day ProgramsCost*
3 Mornings / Week
MWF 8:20-11:20 am
$280/mo
2 Mornings / Week
T/Th 8:20-11:20 am
$200/mo

*10 Monthly Payments

Students must be 3 years old by September 15 of the school year.

4s Preschool

Students will discover and expand their knowledge of letters, numbers, shapes, colors and other kindergarten readiness skills in this hands-on class. Teachers use play-based activities to help nurture your child’s growing faith, cultivate social-emotional skills and explore God’s world together.

2024/2025 classes offered:

Half Day ProgramCost*
4 Mornings / Week
M/T/Th/F 8:10-11:10 am
$358/mo

Full Day ProgramCost*
5 Days / Week
M-F 8:10 am-3:25 pm, W until 2:30 pm
$746/mo

*10 Monthly Payments

Students must be 4 years old by September 15 of the school year.

4/5s Spanish Immersion

During this hands-on class, students will discover and expand their knowledge of letters, numbers, shapes, colors, and other kindergarten readiness skills. In addition to the play-based activities we offer for our 4-year-olds, this class is designed for children who plan to attend our Spanish Immersion kindergarten class the following year.

2024/2025 classes offered:

Half Day ProgramCost*
4 Mornings / Week
M/T/Th/F 8:10-11:10 am
$358/mo

Full Day ProgramCost*
5 Days / Week
M-F 8:10 am-3:25 pm, W until 2:30 pm
$746/mo

*10 Monthly Payments

Students must be 4 years old by September 15 of the school year.

5s Preschool

The content and teaching style of this program is perfect if your child needs the gift of time before starting kindergarten. Our teachers are trained in the emergent curriculum approach that recognizes students’ unique gifts, skills, and interests; guiding students as they actively engage in their learning and God’s world around them.

2024/2025 classes offered:

Half Day ProgramCost*
5 Mornings / Week
M-F 8:10 am-12:10 pm
$494/mo

Full Day ProgramCost*
5 Days / Week
M-F 8:10 am-3:25 pm, W until 2:30 pm
$796/mo

*10 Monthly Payments

Students must be 5 years old by December 31 of the school year.

Questions? Contact Teresa Ulferts, Director of Admissions, at admissions@pceagles.org or (641) 628-2414.

Explore. Play. Grow.

Preschool is a time when children explore their relationship with the world, stretch their abilities, and begin to grow in their identity in Christ.  We want to create an environment that honors each individual as a unique and special child of God and to collaborate together to build a community where children can learn and grow in the knowledge of God’s love for us.  We aim to have predictable routines, but also leave room for flexibility.

Children and teachers greet each other and begin the day by being responsible with our school items, using the restroom, and engaging in an arrival activity.

We gather together to develop our sense of community and belonging, rooted in our identity as children of God. Preschoolers read Bible stories, learn a monthly Bible verse together, sing praise songs, and talk about ways to follow Christ, no matter our age.

Exploring our natural playground allows children to discover God’s creation while developing age-appropriate large motor skills. When Iowa weather doesn’t allow for outdoor fun, activities occur in one of two gymnasiums.

Children receive various healthy snacks at school that encourage them to try new foods, use silverware, and drink from open cups. We pray before snack time and encourage good manners and positive social interactions at the table.

Teachers work with children in small groups to develop readiness skills and concepts in math, language, and science.

High-quality children’s literature is shared with children each day. Children learn literacy, social-emotional skills, and about God’s world through stories.

Children explore classroom centers while learning to interact with peers. Centers include dramatic play, sensory play, library corner, science, math, music, art, and writing.

We work together to restore order in the classroom.

We review the day together before closing with a story. Students say a prayer of thankfulness to God for the day.

Deciding on preschool is a big step for parents of little ones. But our partnership with Pella Christian has been a seamless extension of our home. Chloe is thriving — she confidently contributes to dinner table conversations and Bible stories; independently gets ready for the day, and packs her bag. She lights up when talking about her friends and teachers! We love seeing her transform into who God created her to be.

Miranda and Sean Paskach, PC Parents

Come and see why families choose Pella Christian for their children.

Experience our campus firsthand, visit the preschool wing, meet teachers, and explore the classrooms.

VISIT US