Our program believes that a child's developmental appropriateness has two dimensions: age appropriateness and individual appropriateness. The Preschool staff recognizes there are universal, predicable sequences of growth and change during a child's pre-school years with change occurring in all facets of development, including physical, emotional, social and cognitive. The knowledge of a child's typical development within the age span served by the program provides the framework from which teachers prepare the learning environment and plan appropriate educational experiences that are both ethnically and culturally sensitive. Staff operate on the premise that each child is unique with an individual pattern and timing of growth, including personality, learning style, and family background. Curriculum, physical activity and staff interaction is responsive to each child's differences. The Center believes that learning is the result of interaction between a child's thoughts and experiences with materials, ideas, and people. It strives to ensure that these experiences match the child's developing abilities, while challenging their interest and understanding.

The preschool period is also a time for rapid changes when children seek greater independence from their parents and caregivers. It is a vital time for learning and learning occurs primarily through play. It is through play that children develop their imaginations and creativity. Play contributes to a child's development by enabling them to learn about objects, each other, and the adult world. Play encourages the development of skills and drives which cannot be taught through direct instruction. During the preschool age, children begin to pretend. Their imagination grows through physical play and provides the opportunity for exploration, experimentation, and manipulation that are essential for constructing knowledge and serves as a child's natural learning avenue.

Because Limona Village Chapel recognizes that good programs offer activities to promote each child's physical, social, and emotional development, we offer an inclusive environment that utilizes developmentally appropriate practices focusing on exploration and experience through play, and a supportive learning environment for young children to prepare them to be school ready upon entering kindergarten.

The Children's Center offers 2, 3, and 5 day classes from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (depending on age) on Hillsborough County public school days.

A 5 day a week VPK program is also available.

For information on how to enroll your child, please contact our Children's Center Director, Linda Stafford, at (813) 689-8385 ext. 27 or visit the Limona Village Chapel Children's Center website for more information.