We desire to create an atmosphere of inquiry, discovery, and trust wherein each child has an opportunity to explore his or her talents and grow intellectually.
We strive to provide a safe, positive and challenging environment for effective physical, social, and emotional development and strong cultural awareness.
We seek to provide students with opportunities for practicing and articulating their faith and values with the aim of deepening their spirituality and character.
St. Camillus Church has operated a child care and preschool program since 1985. Today, our preschool program is integrated with the parish school which was founded in 1954 and is known as St. Camillus Early Childhood Learning Center.
Our preschool program is fully accredited by the Commission on Elementary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and licensed by the Office of Child Care of the Maryland State Department of Education.
St. Camillus School & Early Childhood Learning Center follows the curriculum standards and policies of the Archdiocese of Washington as well as the regulations of Maryland's Office of Child Care that pertain to preschool programs. We particularly emphasize a focus on the whole-child (mind, body, and spirit).
Our preschool curriculum is sensitive to the needs of a culturally and linguistically diverse student population. English language learning support and the school counselor are available to assist the preschool teachers.
We work to provide a learning environment that challenges students to grow to their fullest potential utilizing their unique skills and talents.
We assess our students’ success using a broad range of formative and summative assessments.
Our school day is 8:30 am - 3:15 pm.
Extended care is available before school from 7 am - 8:15 am and after school from 3:15 pm - 6 pm.
Our school year runs from late August/early September through June.
Our school year is 180 days. Refer to our school calendar for more information about our school year.
Age Requirements
Currently, our preschool is divided into three classes. Placement in a preschool class at St. Camillus is determined by a combination of birth date, intellectual development, social/emotional development, and space.
Generally, students are placed using the following guidelines:
PreK 2/3: Students entering PreK 2/3 must have reached their second birthday by their first day of school. PreK 2/3 is the only class that can accommodate children who are in the process of potty training (there is an additional monthly fee for students who are potty traning).
PreK 3/4: This class consists of younger four year-olds and three year-olds who are fully potty trained, who can handle a larger group setting, and who are ready for more complex academic work.
PreK 4: This class consists only of students whose fourth birthday occurs before Sept. 1st of the current school year.
* PreK 3/4 and PreK 4 use the same core curriculum (Opening the World of Learning by Pearson Early Childhood Education) day-to-day instruction is tailored to meet the abilities and needs of the particular children in the class..
Our Curriculum
We emphasize the need to prepare our young children for success in elementary school and beyond while acknowledging their specific developmental abilities and needs. Accordingly, our curriculum focuses on intellectual development, social and emotional development, and physical development in a comprehensive and holistic manner. Academic and social skills are woven into a curriculum that balances children's need for play, art, and friendship with their curiosity and desire to learn.
Our preschool program uses the Maryland Model for School Readiness as a guide. Our program uses integrated curricula that address all of the domains of learning and provides students with knowledge and experiences in all of the main academic content areas.
Our Books and Materials
PreK 2/3 uses Let's Begin with the Letter People as the core academic curriculum and the God Made Everything series from Loyola Press as the basis for the religion curriculum.
PreK 3/4 uses Opening the World of Learning by Pearson Early Childhood Education and the Stories of God's Love series from RCL Benziger as the basis for the religion curriculum.
PreK 4 uses Opening the World of Learning by Pearson Early Childhood Education and the Seeds edition of the Pflaum Gospel Weeklies series as the basis for the religion curriculum.
Our Teachers
The heart of our program is our well trained group of teachers. Their service to our children is born out of their faith and their desire to see each child grow to his or her fullest potential. Our teachers hold the belief that each child is unique and special and deserving of love and attention.