Ursuline Family Care Program offers preschool with convenience and history of success

Sr. Barbara has library time with her preschoolers and allows them to pick their own books and explore the joys of reading.

St. Jerome Elementary School, which is the only Catholic Elementary  School in Collinwood, is also home to the only Montessori Preschool in the surrounding neighborhood as well. With its first year of operation behind, Director of the Ursuline Family Care Program, Sister Barbara Eppich, is looking forward to the preschool’s first full school year.

The Ursuline Family Care Program was formerly at St. Joseph of Collinwood until 2009 when the school and the program, unfortunately were closed. Sr. Barbara said she faced many challenges before finally reopening the preschool in the 2010-2011 school year.

“If God takes you to it, he will take you through it,” she said with a smile.

The preschool is currently thriving successfully in its new location and is enrolling students for the 2011-2012 school year. Ursuline Family Care Program proudly accepts Cuyahoga County child care vouchers.

The preschool uses the Montessori Approach to engage and stimulate its tiny learners. The Montessori approach is an educational system that allows young children to develop academically through natural interests rather than formal teaching methods. The Montessori approach is said to make students more independent and aware of themselves, preparing them for kindergarten and beyond.

“The Montessori environment gives children the opportunity to develop at their own rate and learning style,” according to Sr. Barbara. “The solid foundation provided via this Montessori approach has translated into improved educational outcomes years after previous students have left the Family Care Center.”

The Ursuline Family Care Program provides preschool/day care for four –year-old children from 7:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at St. Jerome Elementary School during the school year.

“We specialize in developing personal skills and values, academic and cognitive skills, group values and relationships,” Sr. Barbara said.

The program is well rounded and offers many opportunities for students to explore their interests and talents, Sr. Barbara explained. “Daily activities are in the areas of reading readiness, math, social science, health-safety, religion education, perceptual motor skills, art, music and creative development,” she said.

Sue Coan, the principal of St. Jerome Elementary School, is very pleased with the new preschool and what it offers the Collinwood community and the city of Cleveland as a whole.

“We [St. Jerome Elementary School] give students a great educational foundation from pre-k through eighth grade,” she said. "Not many schools can say that, and I am proud to say we are one of the few in the city that can."

*Ursuline Family Care Program at St. Jerome Elementary School, 15100 Lake Shore Blvd., 216-486-3587 for more information.