Zion Lutheran | |
Church | School | Early Childhood |
Zion Early Childhood Education Center
Part of Zion Lutheran Church and School
Pam Kleckner, Preschool Teacher/Director
Kristi Cook, Preschool Teacher/Assistant Director
220 W. Henry St. - Staunton, IL 62088 - 618-635-2446
About ZECEC
The Early Childhood Education Center of Zion
offers child care every Monday through Friday from 6:00 A.M. until 6:00 P.M. The ZECEC is open on school holidays, snow days, and offers summer care. The center offers a preschool/day care combination for one low price.
Ready to enroll? Preschool application forms for the 2016-2017 school year can be dowloaded here:
Ready to enroll? Preschool application forms for the 2016-2017 school year can be dowloaded here:
Advantages for children attending ZECEC
- Christian Structured Learning
- Arts & Crafts
- Story Time
- School Lunch (Zion School Cafeteria provides services during the school year; the center provides hot lunch during the year, the center provides services during the summer)
- Rest Time
- Making New Friends
Note: All children enrolled in the Day Care Program are required by Illinois State Law to have on file a current physical form. Please make sure to obtain a copy and have your Doctor fill it out.
If you would like more information or have any questions about our program, you may call 618-635-2446.
Frequently Asked Questions (updated 6/1/2016)
Q: Does Zion offer preschool to both 3 and 4-year-olds?
A: Yes, Zion does offer both a 3 and a 4-year-old program. Our 4-year-old classes meet on Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoons from 12:30-3:00PM or Monday thru Friday mornings from 8:00-11:30AM. Our 3-year-old program meets on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 12:30-3:00PM. Zion has the advantage of having our 3's and 4's in separate classes so that we are able to teach to the developmental level of each age group.
Q: How old does my child need to be to attend preschool?
A: Zion follows the guidelines set by the State of Illinois regarding who is able to attend preschool. Children must be 3 or 4 by September 1 of the school year to attend. We do not make exceptions to this guideline. Students that do not meet the state set guidelines are welcome to attend our daycare once they turn 3 if there are openings.
Q: Does my child need to be potty trained to attend preschool?
A: Yes, your child does need to be potty trained. We understand that accidents may occur and request that all parents send extra clothes in their child's backpack daily in case of accidents.
Q: Is Zion a safe place for my child?
A: Yes, Zion takes pride in its safety precautions taken for the safety of all children. The 4-year-old preschool classes have a 10 to 1 student/teacher ratio. Zion has a secure locked front door and all entry to the building is granted by the secretary or other staff. Zion has 8 security cameras which are monitored and recorded. Zion has a fenced in playground and a phone system in each classroom that also doubles as an intercom system. The phones are taken out to recess in case of any emergency. All of Zion's staff are CPR, AED and first aid trained. All preschool classes participate in fire and tornado drills throughout the school year. The preschool room is equipped with a fire escape door if the need should ever arise.
Q: What will my 3-year-old learn in preschool?
A: First and foremost your child will learn that they are God's forgiven child dearly loved by Him. 3-year-olds learn the basics of the school environment such as: sharing, getting along with others, cleaning up after themselves, how to follow directions and how to listen to a story. 3-year-old preschoolers are exposed to letters, numbers, shapes, colors and many other skills as they learn about the world around them through books, themes, activities, songs and movement, projects and hands-on activities that strength fine and gross motor skills.
Q: What will my 4-year-old learn in preschool?
A: First and foremost your child will learn that they are God's forgiven child dearly loved by Him. 4-year-old preschoolers learn letter recognition, writing and letter sounds along with phonemic awareness activities to prepare them for the challenge of learning to read in Kindergarten. Math skills such as: counting, number recognition and writing, and patterning and graphing. Children learn skills through songs, movement, stories, hands-on activities that strengthen fine and gross motor skills, projects and theme activities.
Q: How will my child learn about God?
A: Zion preschool uses the Concordia Publishing House religion curriculum which teaches basic Bible stories. Christ centered activities are always at the core of our curriculum no matter the subject. 4-year-old morning preschoolers attend chapel each Wednesday with the K-8 students and have a chance to lead the service once a year.
Q: Besides the daily academic activities, will my child have a chance to play and interact with the other students.
A: Zion preschool students begin each day with a chance for "freeplay" where they can interact with other students while participating in pretend play activities. This is an opportunity to learn and put into practice social skills needed throughout your child's life. Zion preschoolers use the playground as the weather permits and have access to the school gym if the weather is adverse.
Q: Will my preschooler be exposed to any technology?
A: We have a computer in the classroom that is used periodically to access things for the class to view and in small groups to explore educational games that reinforce a skill one on one with the teacher. We continually strive to integrate technology in our classrooms on a developmentally appropriate level for the preschool students we serve.
Q: What is the cost for my child to attend preschool (2017-2018 school year)?
A: See below at the ZECEC Rates Section for more information
Q: What do I need to have in order to register my child for Zion's preschool program?
A: You will need to bring a completed preschool registration form and the non-refundable registration fee to our registration evenings the spring before the next school year (Call Mrs. Kleckner or Mrs. Cook to learn more). Please see the registration sheet for information regarding exact registration times. Before beginning preschool or daycare you will need to provide a current doctor physical and shot records. We do not require a birth certificate.
Q: If I have further questions, whom should I ask?
A: If you have further questions, please call Mrs. Kleckner or Mrs. Cook at 635-2446., ext. 02.
ZECEC Rates
Daycare Rates
Full time Daycare (M-F)
$120.00 per week
Full time Daycare (M-F) + Preschool
(4 yr old AM, 4 yr old PM or 3 yr old)
(4 yr old AM, 4 yr old PM or 3 yr old)
$120.00 per week
Children enrolled in Full Time Daycare must pay $120 per week whether child attends or not.
Part time Daycare
Half Day (less than 4 hours): $13
Full Day (more than 4 hours): $26
Full Day (more than 4 hours): $26
Extended Care - Before & After School Program
Morning Rate: $8 per child per day
Afternoon Rate: $8 per child per day
Combined Rate (morning & afternoon, same day): $10 per child per day
Afternoon Rate: $8 per child per day
Combined Rate (morning & afternoon, same day): $10 per child per day
Preschool Rates (updated 4/26/2017)
4 yr old - 3 days/week (afternoons): $855 per school year
($95/mo for 9 months)
4 yr old - 5 days/week (mornings): $1,215 per school year
($135/mo for 9 months)
3 yr old Preschool - 2 days/wekk: $675 per school year
($75/mo for 9 months)
Full-time Daycare/Preschool Combination: $120/week
This is regardless of the preschool class chosen.
$120 per week will be billed thoughout the school year.
$120 per week will be billed thoughout the school year.
There is a $75.00 non-refundable registration fee due at the time of registration.
Payments for Registration/Tuition are accepted by: Cash, Check or Credit Card
To learn more about Preschool, Daycare or K-8 Education, contact us at:
Payments for Registration/Tuition are accepted by: Cash, Check or Credit Card
To learn more about Preschool, Daycare or K-8 Education, contact us at:
220 W. Henry Street
Staunton, Illinois, 62088
618-635-3060
Staunton, Illinois, 62088
618-635-3060