Fun and learning will go hand in hand when Chiques PreK opens at Chiques United Methodist Church, 1215 E. Main St., Mount Joy. The private school will operate Mondays through Fridays year-round and will offer classes for children ages 3 to 5.

Cindy Beyerlein, acting director, said the school is a natural fit for the church because it will further the church's mission of community interaction. "We were looking for opportunities to expand into the community," she stated. "We wanted to increase our outreach and find new ways to connect with the community."

Plans began for the preschool in January, and Emmy Brenner was hired as the lead teacher. She'll be joined in the classroom by assistant teacher Kathleen Geigley, along with church volunteers. Beyerlein noted that the teacher-to-student ratio will be 1 to 10.

Brenner brings with her more than 15 years of experience as a preschool teacher, including working at Head Start. She describes the Chiques PreK curriculum as academic-focused, with an emphasis on creativity.

"We'll have circle time with songs, stories and Spanish immersion. We'll have lots of opportunities for students to burn off their excess energy with gross motor play both inside and outside. We'll also be incorporating rest time into the day," Brenner remarked, noting that students will bring their own lunches. Daily lessons in reading, math and science will be offered, along with small-group instruction and opportunities for tactile activities, imaginative play and more at various learning centers. There will also be a focus on social-emotional development of students, Brenner said.

Students will also take field trips and will be treated to guest speakers and readers from the community. "I'm hoping to bring in someone from the police department as well as other community groups," Brenner noted.

Beyerlein added that the students will also be treated to intergenerational learning opportunities, when members of a group at the church called The Elderberries will visit the classroom. "We'll be working on integrating them into the school as storytellers or to do crafts with the children," she explained.

Brenner emphasized that an academic-focused preschool program is an essential first step for students. "Pre-K gives students a better foundation for kindergarten readiness," she stated. "It's setting the child up for success." School staff are working with area school districts, including Donegal, Hempfield, Columbia, Manheim Central and Elizabethtown, to make sure the preschool curriculum complements what the public schools are offering.

Space is limited in the preschool to 20 students initially, although Beyerlein noted that there is room to expand to up to 60 students down the road. She anticipates lots of interest in the program. "The quality of this program is what sets it apart," she said. "We are so blessed to have Emmy. We think this is going to be one of the most contagious, fun learning experiences around."

For more information on Chiques PreK, call Beyerlein at 717-682-3148.