After being closed for a number of years, Limeville Christian Preschool, a ministry of Limeville United Methodist Church in Gap, will once again offer classes for children ages 3 to 5.

To reintroduce the preschool to the community, an open house event has been scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 27. Attendees will be able to drop in anytime between 6 and 8 p.m. to see the classrooms, learn more about the preschool program and meet Mandee Culp, the new preschool director.

Children are welcome to attend the open house with their parents. "We will have paperwork about the school and sample lesson plans," said Culp. "We will also have a craft for the kids."

Also available will be information about registering for the 2022-23 school year. Classes are scheduled to begin at the preschool in September.

Culp explained that the preschool will be located in the church's newly renovated Sunday school wing. "We will also use other parts of the building. We plan to be outside, and we plan to use the fellowship hall and the sanctuary," she said.

The preschool operated at the church for about 30 years beginning in September of 1974, but it has been closed for more than 15 years. "There seems to be a need now in the area, so (the church) is starting it back up," Culp noted.

Culp has connected with kindergarten teachers in the Pequea Valley School District and plans to talk with teachers from the Octorara Area School District as well to help develop the curriculum. "We will have a schedule each day," she explained. "We will teach Bible lessons and everything (the children) need to know for their next steps in life, like letters, numbers, shapes, colors and simple math."

She noted there will be a strong focus on the children's social and emotional development. Activities will include hands-on experience in music, library skills, gardening and outdoor exploration. "It is important for kids to be outside," she said. "(In the cold weather) they can bring their gear and we will try to go outside a little bit each day. We also plan on having gardening boxes and play open-ended games in the yard."

Culp is looking forward to the upcoming school year, noting that several families have already registered their children to attend the preschool. "I have worked in early childhood education, in kids' ministry and in preschools as well for 13 years," she stated. "I am super excited to ... work with local children."

Limeville United Methodist Church is located at 5783 Limeville Road, Gap. For more information about the preschool, email limevillepreschool@gmail.com or visit http://www.facebook.com/LimevilleChristianPreschool.