Preschool

Preschool is an exciting and important step in every child’s academic journey. As a parent, investing in a private Christian preschool means you want to give your little one every opportunity to grow, intellectually, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. You also want to make sure his or her first classroom experience is a positive one, so he or she can develop a love for learning from the start. 

At Ben Lippen School, our youngest learners thrive in a safe and nurturing environment, with endless opportunities for hands-on exploration. Experiential learning fosters their natural curiosity and keeps them engaged as they develop kindergarten readiness skills.

Explore. Play. Grow.

The learning environment at Ben Lippen School

It can be difficult for parents to know when their children are ready for school and what challenges they will face along the way. We understand that nothing is more important than giving your child a strong start. Our goal is to partner closely with each family to provide a supportive, responsive environment, meeting each child where he or she is. Alignment between home and school provides a sense of security for young children, and you can rest assured that our teachers will pour into your children daily, emphasizing their worth as children of God.

Inside our preschool classrooms, you will find:  

• Small class sizes — Each child feels known and loved through ample individual attention daily.
• A student-centered approach — No two children learn in the same way or at the same pace. We are able to differentiate instruction to foster meaningful growth.
• Age-appropriate technology — While we integrate some virtual learning experiences for our preschoolers, social and emotional learning is prioritized over screen time.
• Learning centers — Preschoolers learn best through play and hands-on experiences. Our classrooms are designed to maximize engagement. 

Our preschoolers also enjoy plenty of outdoor time, whether on our playground or on nature walks.

Preschool Programs

Our preschool programs follow the Ben Lippen School academic calendar — five days a week, starting in August and ending in late May. School hours are 8:20 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., with drop-off beginning at 8:00 a.m. daily.

Extended Care

Our before- and after-school program provides a safe and consistent environment for students who need daily childcare. Activities include outdoor play, snack time, arts and crafts, and games.

• Morning Hours: 7:15 – 7:55 a.m.
  
• Afternoon Hours: 3:00 – 5:45 p.m.

“When we were looking for a preschool program for our family, our first priority was to find a loving, diverse environment where our children would have the freedom to learn about Jesus and ask questions just as they would at home.  We feel that Ben Lippen has answered the call to be excellent educators while teaching from a Biblical worldview; even at the preschool level. Our original plan was to send our children to Ben Lippen starting in kindergarten, until we toured the school and realized the individual, loving, encouraging, and diverse experience they’d get from preschool at Ben Lippen.  We have had 3 children go through the preschool program at Ben Lippen, and there is no comparison in town that strives to shepherd the hearts of these young children like the teachers and faculty do at Ben Lippen, all while preparing them for success in kindergarten.”

– The Dombroski Family

Why Do Families Choose Ben Lippen School?

Building Kindergarten Readiness Skills

Our goal is to prepare children for kindergarten by fostering independence and giving them confidence to thrive academically. Hands-on learning experiences foster both gross and fine motor skills. Our expert teachers focus on early literacy, early numeracy, handwriting, and social-emotional skills. Core subject areas in preschool include:

• Math
• Language
• Social-Emotional Learning
• Bible

Fostering a Biblical Worldview

Whether during Bible time or while conducting a science experiment, our teachers are intentional about each child’s spiritual formation. Preschoolers discover their roles in God’s story, and this early biblical understanding prompts them to seek wisdom and truth throughout their lives. At Ben Lippen School, you can rest assured that the Christian values you’re teaching at home are being strengthened, not torn down. 

Providing A Safe Environment

Parents should feel peace of mind when dropping their little ones off at preschool, and we go above and beyond to ensure our campuses are safe and secure. All staff and volunteers receive a background check and agree to our school’s Biblical lifestyle guidelines. Exterior and interior doors remained locked and secured throughout the instructional day. Playgrounds are fenced in with developmentally-appropriate equipment and a safe fall surface at the base. We also have security guards on campus to monitor the grounds.  

Creating Opportunities for Social Development

Our preschool teachers provide intentional opportunities for collaboration and play. These opportunities exist within our learning and play centers, recess time, whole group lessons, and independent table activities.  By providing natural opportunities for children to interact with one another, teachers can coach them on healthy communication and collaboration, skills that will benefit them in kindergarten and beyond. 

Meet a Teacher

Name: Elizabeth Fitts

Degrees: B.A. in Elementary Education (Clemson University) Master’s in Speech-Language Pathology (University of South Carolina)

Teaching Experience: 3 years with Ben Lippen School, 14 years as a Preschool and Early Intervention Speech Language Pathologist

“I have the most rewarding and humbling job! My favorite thing about teaching preschool is watching the children grow physically, emotionally, academically, and spiritually. They come to me in August so young and leave in May having grown and matured in so many ways…and it happens right before my eyes! I love to plan fun “themed” days and celebrations. We celebrate a skill or topic we are currently studying once a month.  It’s a chance for them to “show off” emerging or mastered fine/gross motor skills, Bible knowledge, or to dress up and have fun based on what they have been studying. The best celebrations are field trips! These allow students to make connections in the amazing world God has created! My prayer is that they learn to love school and God’s Word during their time with me. Having former students come by for a hug or high five, or to read to my class, is the greatest reward!”

See for Yourself

Schedule a campus tour and see firsthand why families choose Ben Lippen School for their preschoolers. We also offer virtual conferences to answer all your questions about our programs and the admissions process. We look forward to meeting you!