About Us
Mary Queen of Heaven Preschool, in partnership with parents and with the loving support of our parish community, offers a Christ-centered early learning environment.
Our Approach
Since no two children learn in exactly the same way, we offer multiple pathways for social, academic, and spiritual development. We provide an educational experience that honors differences and focuses on the Gospel values of love, justice, peace, and service.
We strive to educate the whole child.
Our Story
Mary Queen of Heaven Preschool, nestled within the vibrant and family-oriented Mary Queen of Heaven Parish in Elmhurst, Illinois, represents a nurturing community space.
Catering to multi-generational families, our parish thrives with youthful energy and a deep sense of togetherness, creating an environment where both children and adults forge lasting friendships and a strong sense of community.
Philosophy & Mission
Our faith-centered, child-focused family sensitive preschool seeks to develop a loving relationship with God as a basis for living out the Gospel values of love, justice, peace, and service.
Our goal is to build Christian families by infusing Catholic values and teachings into our curriculum, by embracing the individual uniqueness of each child, and by calling on our parents and faith community to participate in the education of our children.
Our Programs:
Helping Your Child Explore, Grow, & Learn
- Catholic Identity
- Mission Driven
- Director has a Master’s degree in Educational Administration
- Teachers are certified and degreed
- Closely follows the Diocese of Joliet and the District 205 Calendars
- Supports District 205, Diocese of Joliet, as well as Illinois state standards for early childhood curriculum
- Balanced play-based program of academics, religion, arts, sports, and music
- Meets Religious Education requirements
- Doors open at 8:15 am. Dismissal is at 11:45am for just the morning session, or 2:45pm for full day
- School is in session for 9 full months
- Preschool Adult/child ratio: 2/20
What We Offer
Programs
The 2’s Program: First Steps in Exploration
Our 2’s program is where the youngest minds begin their educational journey. It’s a world of play, discovery, and joyful learning tailored to the boundless energy and curiosity of two-year-olds.
- Child-Centered Approach: A day filled with imaginative play and exploration, designed with the unique needs of two-year-olds in mind.
- Developmental Milestones: Activities focused on socialization, fine motor skills, and early language development.
Our 2’s program sets the stage for a lifelong love of learning in a nurturing and engaging environment.
The 3’s Program: Growing Through Play and Learning
The 3’s program builds on the natural wonder of childhood with a balanced blend of structured learning and free play. We understand that three-year-olds are at a crucial stage of growth and our program is designed to meet their developing needs.
- Emergent Learning: A curriculum that introduces core concepts through play, stories, and hands-on activities.
- Social Skills Enhancement: Fostering friendships and cooperative play to build social confidence and empathy.
Our 3’s program encourages children to learn, play, and grow together, setting a strong foundation for their future.
The 4’s Program: Preparing for Kindergarten
The 4’s program is thoughtfully crafted to ensure that children are kindergarten-ready. We emphasize a balanced curriculum that nurtures academic, social, and emotional readiness for the school years ahead.
- School Readiness Focus: A structured yet flexible curriculum that prepares children academically for the next step in their education.
- Enriched Learning Experiences: Engaging activities that enhance literacy, numeracy, and critical thinking.
In our 4’s program, children are encouraged to explore their interests while gaining the skills needed for a seamless transition to kindergarten.
Classroom Centers
Art Center:
Children will explore color, shape, and texture utilizing a variety of mediums. Art projects encourage the freedom to express the beauty in their world and help to develop the child’s sense of self-confidence.
Block Center:
Children will develop the ability to create designs, understand spatial relationships, and foster their imaginations while learning how to share and respect the work of others.
Family Living Center/Housekeeping/Dramatic Play:
Role-playing is an important skill that allows children to act out the events in their lives while teaching them to listen to each other, observe behaviors, resolve conflicts, and promotes their language development.
Library and Writing Center:
Children are exposed to books and other printed material. Children will use language, share thoughts, sequence events, use visual discrimination, learn to appreciate books and begin to value reading and writing as communication tools
Manipulative Center:
Children will use a variety of manipulative toys such as LEGO and DUPLO sets, sorting and building objects, pegboards, puzzles and play-dough, to develop imagination and fine motor coordination. Children will also discover relationships based on color, size and shape while refining their ability to make choices.
Math and Science Center:
Children will develop an understanding of number concepts through the use of math manipulatives. Their sense of wonder and natural curiosity about the world around them is the focus for the science area.
Multi-Sensory Center:
Children will build fine motor skills, enhance their senses, and develop an awareness of spatial relationships within a multi-sensory environment as they learn to share materials and relax tensions.
Prayer Center:
Children have the opportunity to experience private time “talking and listening with God”. Children will learn about God’s gifts of ourselves, creation, family, and our Church community. Prayer experiences foster and nurture the young child in prayer.
Rug Time:
Rug time allows children to be part of a larger community. They talk about their plans for the day and participate in large group activities. Children will share information and take turns while developing language and listening skills. This time is for stories and singing also.
What Our Families Are Saying
