Cary Presbyterian Preschool

We still have openings for the 2024-25 school year!
Contact us for more information

Love First, Then Teach

Thank you for your interest in our program! Cary Presbyterian Preschool (CPP) is a community-based mission of Cary Presbyterian Church, where children of all faiths, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds are embraced, taught and cared for, as a reflection of Christ's love for all people.

CPP School to Heart to Home Parent Newsletter - October 2024

Reasons to choose Cary Presbyterian Preschool:
  • We focus on the social and emotional development of your children as they learn to interact with other children, while providing academic experiences through play.
  • We provide a daily schedule of playtime, learning, music and sharing time with kindergarten readiness as our goal.
  • Our staff is highly qualified and passionate about teaching preschoolers.
  • Our small size creates a family atmosphere where our parents can feel connected through after school playground playdates, class- and school-wide social events.
  • CPP is an outreach mission of Cary Presbyterian Church. The preschool is not religiously affiliated with CPC, and we welcome families of all faiths and religious backgrounds.
  • CPP is governed by the CPC Preschool Ministry Board.
  • We have a newly renovated (2021), partially shaded, beautiful playground with great opportunities for outdoor play and motor skill development in a natural park-like setting.
  • Newly renovated classrooms as of 2022, with new paint, carpeting, flooring and furnishings.
  • We are innovative, always striving to provide quality experiences, such as Music and Science programs, and the Letterland Phonics curriculum.
  • Our preschool teaches compassion for others by providing hands-on mission opportunities.
Cary Presbyterian Preschool is located on the ground floor of Cary Presbyterian Church.

Address:
614 Griffis Street, Cary, NC 27511

 Phone: 919. 469. 2229 

General Information

About CPP
Cary Presbyterian Preschool's staff brings together a wonderful group of dedicated teachers who are with us because they love working with young children. They all meet or exceed teaching requirements outlined by the state. Several have had their own children in the program, and most stay with us year after year. The staff is trained annually in CPR and First Aid, and all participate in regular classes and workshops to keep themselves up to date with new ideas and teaching methods.
They work hard to make their classrooms inviting and the curriculum appropriate yet challenging. Regular assessments of the children are done to make sure they are on track developmentally.

We work closely with Wake County’s Project Enlightenment, which offers services for children up to age 5, in the event that additional evaluations and services are needed. 
Registration
Enrollment period for current families will be from January 10 - January 23. Registration will open to the public on January 25, 2024.
  • Open registration for the community will be based on availability after our in-house registration. Spaces are filled on a first-come basis.
  • Please call to schedule a tour. We want our families to know about our program before enrolling. You will see the facilities, hear about our curriculum and teaching approach, and have an opportunity to ask questions. If you cannot tour, please call the office for a telephone conference.
  • Please review the handbook and policies before filling out the application.
  • Medical & Immunization Forms must be filled out during the summer and be on file when your child starts school. We do require children to be immunized to attend preschool at CPP. Only medical exemptions by a doctor are accepted and forms for this type of exemption are available from the preschool office.
  • A registration fee of $125 ($100 for second child), a $50 playground fee per family, and a $15 tote bag fee (if needed) is due with the application. The first months tuition is due August 1 for September.
  • A waitlist will be kept for classes as they become full. We encourage adding yourself to our waitlist because there are frequent changes in enrollment between January and the start of school in September. We will call those on the waiting list first.

Required Forms Links
All required registration forms can be found HERE
CPP Handbook 2024-25
Carpool Procedures
Facilities
Our facilities are located within Cary Presbyterian Church in a wooded section of downtown Cary. Located on the ground level, the preschool was renovated in 2021 - 2022. Each classroom has its own "pint-sized" bathroom, new rugs and play furniture. Classroom activities can extend to our new outdoor learning area along the side of the building. Each class has a door leading outside where kids will enjoy science activities, sensory tables, enjoying lunch outdoors and free play. There is a separate room for music and movement classes and our preschool library. Our large fenced-in playground is partially shaded by mature trees. It includes a commercial grade climbing structure, several smaller structures for the smallest children, swings, picnic tables and a resurfaced court so kids can enjoy riding toys, drawing with chalk, and playing basketball. We have four large garden beds and natural areas for learning about the environment. The children have time each day for outdoor activities, and if the weather is a problem, we have access to the church's large Fellowship Hall. 
2024-25 Calendar
2024-25 CPP Calendar PDF

Inclement Weather Policy --
If WCPSS opens on a 1 or 2 hour delay, CPP will open on a 1 hour delay. Dismissal remains the same. If WCPSS opens on a 3 hour delay or closes, CPP will be closed.
Testimonials
Our family is so happy with our experience at CPP.  The staff is incredible, very loving and supportive to the children and parents.  There is low turnover with the teachers and that speaks volumes to the culture and environment at the school.  We really appreciate the conscious discipline program at CPP; it has clearly helped my daughters with emotional regulation and helped us with our parenting of them. I can't say enough about how wonderful CPP is - they were invaluable in helping prepare my older daughter for a smooth and successful transition to Kindergarten.     -Emily R.

CPP is truly a special program. They are a family that we were a part of and we will miss you all dearly. You have a wonderful staff and the most caring, dedicated teachers. You go above and beyond to make families feel comfortable and you listen and respond to their needs. Thank you for all that you do, every day, to ensure that our sweet children are safe and happy. It was like a second home for our babies! My family and I will never forget CPP, nor will we stop recommending the school to other families. We are so thankful to have been a part of such an amazing school.     -Elizabeth J.

We love CPP! This is our family’s 7th year there (our 3 youngest children are current students & 2 oldest children are CPP alumni). We love the caring teachers and small class sizes. Our children especially love the many art projects, music classes, and the ample time spent outdoors learning and playing. There is a good balance of structure/ routines and free play, and the teachers really get to know each child well. When our older two children started kindergarten, they were well prepared socially and academically thanks to their time at CPP. We will continue to enthusiastically recommend CPP to anyone we know who is looking for a preschool for their child!     -Annie H. 

Class Offerings

Our school day for most classes is 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Our Extended Day Pre-K class attends from 9:30 a.m.-1:15 p.m. All students bring their own lunch each day. We are a play-based program that focuses on your child’s social and emotional needs. We use Conscious Discipline techniques and teach the Feeling Buddies curriculum to all ages to help children learn to identify their emotions and how to respond. Our 2's classes participate in Baby Doll Circle Time. For more information about Conscious Discipline, Feeling Buddies and Baby Doll Circle Time visit https://consciousdiscipline.com.
Children participate in Music and Movement classes with our dedicated music teacher. Our Science Specialist provides engaging, hands-on science activities in a small group setting for all ages. Religious education is not offered during our regular school hours. A gratitude prayer may be said before lunch. There are 80 students in the program in seven age-determined classes.

Playgroup

Playgroup is a multi-age class open to children who are at least 18 months old by August 31st. Children in our 2's age group may also register for Playgroup if the two's are full, a one day class is preferred, or if families would like to have a 3rd day option. Priority is given to those who are natural Playgroup age. Indoor and outdoor activities for our littlest ones include; Baby Doll Circle Time (introduction to our Conscious Discipline Curriculum), art, music classes, and a science class once per month. Children bring their lunch, and we provide daily snacks.
  • Meets on Fridays
  • Must be 18 months by 8/31
  • 8 students; two staff members
  • $95 / month
Playgroup - Mrs. Johnson & Mrs. Pierce

2's Class

Classes include a Thematic Play-Based age appropriate curriculum, Baby Doll Circle Time (Conscious Discipline Curriculum), music classes once per week, science class 2x per month. Children bring their lunch, daily snacks provided. Two staff members, 8 students.
  • Mon/Wed 2's
    • Must be two by 2/28/2024.
    • $205 per month
  • Tues/Thurs 2's
    • Must be two by 8/31/2024.
    • $205 per month
MW 2s - Mrs. Wester & Mrs. Landwehr
T/Th 2s - Mrs. Pierce & Mrs. Landwehr

3's Class

The three year class focuses on a thematic play-based curriculum and fosters independence. Must be potty trained (no diapers/pull ups) and handle bathroom needs independently. Play-based age appropriate curriculum, Feeling Buddies (part of our Conscious Discipline Curriculum), music class once per week, science class 2x per month. Children bring their lunch. Two staff members, 12 students. Must be 3 by 8/31/2024.
  • Tues/Thurs 3's
    • $205 per month
  • Mon/Wed/Fri 3's
    • $250 per month
MWF 3s teachers
MWF 3s- Mrs. Riley & Mrs. Seppala
Tuesday/Thursday 3s teachers
T/Th 3s - Mrs. Lang & Mrs. King

Pre-K

Must be fully potty trained. Play based Curriculum, Kindergarten Readiness, Feeling Buddies (part of our Conscious Discipline Curriculum) and Letterland Curriculum. Music classes 2x per week, and Science classes once per week. Children bring their lunch. Two staff members, 15 students. Must be 4 by 8/31/2024.
  • Pre-K (9:30-12:30)
    • Monday-Friday -- $330 per month
    • Monday-Thursday -- $295 per month (limited space available)
  • Extended Day Pre-K (9:30-1:15)
    • Monday-Friday -- $370 per month
    • Monday-Thursday -- $330 per month (limited space available)
Pre-K- Mrs. S, Mrs. Bennett, Mrs. Jenkins
Pre-K Extended- Mrs. B & Mrs. Clark

Special Programs

Music & Movement

Each class at CPP has the opportunity to come to music and movement class weekly (2's and 3's once a week, Pre-K classes twice a week). Every week in the music room is different! We sing, dance/move, play rhythm instruments, and learn basic music concepts and terminology. We hope to inspire a love of music in your children!

Science

Hands-on science is experienced in small groups. The Pre-K classes will have science up to three times a month, the 3's classes up to two times a month, and the 2's classes and Playgroup class once a month. We "do" science because it provides first-hand observations, promotes critical thinking, encourages communication, expands vocabularies, develops problem solving skills, and it's FUN!
Mrs. Johnson (Music) & Mrs. Markham (Science)

Stay & PLay Program

Please join us for CPC/CPP Stay and Play!!
Who? Parents and Caregivers of Cary Presbyterian Church and Cary Presbyterian Preschool (and future CPP families), are invited! The program is for children 2 and under.

What? Stay and Play is an opportunity for caregivers to gather with their little ones on Mondays and Thursdays from 9:45-10:45 am. Come socialize in the CPC Nursery, and enjoy playtime and fellowship.

Where? Cary Presbyterian Church Nursery (entrance above preschool). Hosted by CPP staff members, Jen Pierce and Sarah Johnson.

When? Stay & Play begins the week of October 7th; Mondays & Thursdays, when CPP is open.