Early Childhood

"Joyful Learning through Play"
PK4

Our Early Childhood Program provides a joyful introduction to our school's faith-filled community of learners. Our faith-based community encourages development of the whole child; spiritually, academically, socially, and emotionally. We believe parents and teachers are partners in their children’s education.

St. Gregory the Great Early Childhood Programs value communication, parent involvement, and has an open-door policy. A loving, positive environment within a small school “family” creates a sense of belonging. We welcome all to come join our family!

What differentiates St. Gregory the Great Early Childhood Programs from other programs?

We have four separate programs in our Preschool: Pre-K 3, Pre-K 4, Early Kindergarten and Kindergarten. While each program focuses on different age appropriate curriculum, there are fundamental themes that are consistent throughout. Each program develops a Catholic identity to prepare students to learn, live and lead as Disciples of Christ. Each program prioritizes joyful learning through play while providing the foundation of education. While partnering faith with education we foster moral leadership through faith, love, hope and reconciliation. Our supportive Parish Community assists in the nurturing of the whole child, in a safe and loving atmosphere.

Field Trips and Community Outreach

At St. Greg's we believe that hands on experiences are a great way to engage students. The more involved a student is, the more the memorable and joyful their learning experience. To accomplish this, our Early Childhood Program students attend one or two field trips in a year. We also host a variety of programs on our St. Greg's campus. We have partnerships with several comnunity programs. These programs offer students learning in a safe and structured setting.

Kelkenberg Farm
Theater of Youth
Shea's Performing Art Center
Buffalo Zoo
Aquarium of Niagara
Buffalo Audubon Society
Buffalo Museum of Science
Reinstein Woods
Buffalo Philharmonic

Prayer Partners

Pre-K and EK students work with 4th grade as their Prayer Partners throughout the year. Prayer Partners focus on supporting each other to deepen the spiritual and community bonds we work on each day. Partners work on many service learning projects throughout the year. Some of these projects include:

Halloween Parade at Local Nursing Home
Box of Joy Project
Toy donations for children of Nicaragua
Valentine's Day cards for Veterans

What is Pre-K 3 at St. Greg's?

Pre-K 3 is a preschool program for children who are 3 before December 1st.
Children must be potty trained to enter this program.
The program runs Monday, Wednesday, Friday from 9:00AM to 11:30AM.
Class size capacity is 12 students.

What is Pre-K 4 at St. Greg's?

Pre-K 4 is a prekindergarten program for children who are 4 by December 1st.
Children must be potty trained to enter this program.
This program runs Monday through Friday from 9:00AM to 2:00PM.
Students are eligible for before school care starting at 7:30AM for an additional charge.
Students attend daily specials - gym, music, computer, art, and library.
Class size capacity is 18 students.

Is Early Kindergarten at St. Greg's the Right Program for Your Child?

Early Kindergarten is a multi-age (4/5 year old) program that gives the gift of enrichment and time for students before they enter Kindergarten.

Enrichment: For 4/5 year olds who are not Kindergarten eligible but have already completed a year in a 4 year old program. These children will benefit from a blended Pre-K/K curriculum that will challenge them academically while being with a cohort of peers that are Kindergarten bound.

Time: For 4/5 year olds who are Kindergarten eligible but would benefit from an additional year to develop. These children will benefit from a blended Pre-K/K curriculum and give them the time they need to socially, emotionally, and academically thrive the following year in Kindergarten.

This program has a full-time teacher and a full-time teacher assistant.
EK runs Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 2:00PM.
Students are eligible for before school care starting at 7:30AM for an additional charge.
Students attend daily specials - gym, music, computer, art, and library.
Students are eligible to take the bus if they live within a 15 mile radius of the school and are 5 years old by December 1.
Contact your school district for more information regarding transportation and see our transportation page.
Class size capacity is 18 students.

Kindergarten

A Catholic faith based program with a full-time teacher and full-time teacher assistant.
The program runs Monday through Friday from 7:40AM to 2:00PM.
Students attend daily specials - gym, music, computer, art, and library.
Class size capacity is 18 students.

	PK 3 (M, W, F) 9:00AM to 11:30AM	PK 4 (M-F ) 9:00AM to 2:00PM	EK (M-F) 8:00AM to 2:00PM	K (M-F) 7:40AM to 2:00PM
Before Care Eligible		X	X
Bus Eligible			X	X
Daily Specials		X	X	X
Field Trips	X	X	X	X
Full-Time Teacher	X	X	X	X
Full-Time Teacher Assistant	X	X	X	X
Lunch in Cafeteria			X	X
Catholic Faith Based Learning	X	X	X	X
Prayer Partners	X	X	X	X