History

Willow Grove Pre-School Celebrates 25^th Anniversary

On the weekend of April 25-26 2009 Willow Grove Christian Pre-School celebrated its 25^th anniversary with a carnival and Sunday morning worship service.  Past teachers, staff and students joined current students and families for the festivities.

Willow Grove Christian Pre-School was started with a vision of providing a nurturing educational program founded on Christian principles of love.  In 1983, teachers Gail Shields and Pat Finn were looking for a location for a Christian nursery school in the Scotch Plains/Fanwood area.  Gail had been the director and Pat was the music teacher at the nursery school at the Scotch Plains Baptist Church.  Judy Murphy and Barbara Couphos, members at Willow Grove Church, suggested that they approach the session at Willow Grove as a possible site.  Through much prayer and planning, the Willow Grove Pre-School opened its doors in September 1983.  Together Pat and Gail worked to develop a high quality program that met the developmental, educational and spiritual needs of the young children and their families.  The program followed in the tradition of Willow Grove's original small nursery school that was started by Ms. Dot Osborne in the 1950's.

Since those early years under Mrs. Shields and Ms. Finn, the school has grown from being housed in the Chapel room to two additional classrooms. Kathy Calello joined the staff in 1991 as a teacher and became the Director in 1996 when Gail Shields retired.  The Pre-School has grown to meet the changing needs of today's families, always maintaining the nurturing, spiritual and academic foundations of its founding. The school has had an average of forty-five students each year.  After 25 years, over 1,125 children that have been touched by this important ministry.

* Each month The Rev. Cynthia Cochran-Carney, Pastor of Willow Grove Church, meets with the children of the preschool in the sanctuary.  During "Chapel Time," the pastor shares a Bible story or object lesson that helps young children learn more about Jesus, His love for us and our call to be his disciples.  Children learn the Christian values of respect, friendship, love and compassion.  The pastor is available to all families of the preschool for spiritual support and resources.  All church events and programs are open to preschool families and the community.  This long partnership of ministry has been a blessing for both the preschool and the congregation.

Willow Grove Pre-School is licensed by the Sate of New Jersey and the teachers are state-certified educators. Classes are offered for children who will be 2 years old by April 1 for the 3 Minus Program, along with classes for 3 Year Olds, 4 Year Olds and the 4+ Class for children who either miss the kindergarten cut off date or just need another year of pre-school.