Our Lady of Mount Carmel Preschool
Dear Families,
Welcome to the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Preschool Program. We are proud to be entering our
11th year of quality preschool for the children of our community.
The Our Lady of Mount Carmel Preschool was established to provide quality care for young
children. It was designed to provide a home-away-from-home feeling, where everyone
experiences comfort and ease. Our preschool adheres to a child-centered hands-on approach in
which the learning that takes place is developmentally appropriate. The curriculum is
based upon the needs and interests of the children as well as the teachers’ own strengths and
interests. We value continuity and believe that routine and having the same teacher present thru
out the year is crucial. Each child will be challenged on a day-to-day basis where they will learn
through experience and their mistakes.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Preschool strives to provide young children with a safe and healthy
environment. We understand that nutrition is part of living a healthy life; therefore healthy
snacks are provided. Our staff is aware of safety both in and outdoors. Preschool activities are
organized accordingly. Safety procedures are set forth and practiced daily.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Preschool believes that children learn through play. Learning and
play should be joyful and fun. Play offers ways of trying out new ideas, expressing emotions,
and taking on different roles. Children learn through active doing, through experimenting with
materials, and language. Physical exploration, touching, tasting, hearing, seeing, and moving are
all part of the learning process. Children learn from each other and adults.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel focuses on the Early Childhood Faith Formation-the process by
which young children come to know the God who is within them. Early Childhood Faith
Formation is based on developing the child’s awareness of God using life experiences relevant to
the developmental level of the young child (age 3-5). The child at this age is able to relate to the
care and love of God through personal experiences of God’s love, the beauty of nature, and the
love of others.
There are several goals that our Preschool thrives on. First, children will be competent
individuals. This means to learn, discover, and master with one’s own abilities. Second, children
will gain a sense of autonomy and individuality. This involves a strong sense of identity, the
ability to act on his/her own, to make choices, take risks, and be able to accept help. Next,
children will develop a sense of social relatedness. This means caring about others, learning to
feel part of a larger social group, being able to form friendships, and cherishing diversity.
Finally, each child will be given the opportunity to develop his/her innate potential to know and
love God in a personal relationship.
We thank you for choosing our preschool and we look forward to a year of full of memories.
Welcome to the Our Lady of Mount Carmel Preschool Program. We are proud to be entering our
11th year of quality preschool for the children of our community.
The Our Lady of Mount Carmel Preschool was established to provide quality care for young
children. It was designed to provide a home-away-from-home feeling, where everyone
experiences comfort and ease. Our preschool adheres to a child-centered hands-on approach in
which the learning that takes place is developmentally appropriate. The curriculum is
based upon the needs and interests of the children as well as the teachers’ own strengths and
interests. We value continuity and believe that routine and having the same teacher present thru
out the year is crucial. Each child will be challenged on a day-to-day basis where they will learn
through experience and their mistakes.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Preschool strives to provide young children with a safe and healthy
environment. We understand that nutrition is part of living a healthy life; therefore healthy
snacks are provided. Our staff is aware of safety both in and outdoors. Preschool activities are
organized accordingly. Safety procedures are set forth and practiced daily.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Preschool believes that children learn through play. Learning and
play should be joyful and fun. Play offers ways of trying out new ideas, expressing emotions,
and taking on different roles. Children learn through active doing, through experimenting with
materials, and language. Physical exploration, touching, tasting, hearing, seeing, and moving are
all part of the learning process. Children learn from each other and adults.
Our Lady of Mount Carmel focuses on the Early Childhood Faith Formation-the process by
which young children come to know the God who is within them. Early Childhood Faith
Formation is based on developing the child’s awareness of God using life experiences relevant to
the developmental level of the young child (age 3-5). The child at this age is able to relate to the
care and love of God through personal experiences of God’s love, the beauty of nature, and the
love of others.
There are several goals that our Preschool thrives on. First, children will be competent
individuals. This means to learn, discover, and master with one’s own abilities. Second, children
will gain a sense of autonomy and individuality. This involves a strong sense of identity, the
ability to act on his/her own, to make choices, take risks, and be able to accept help. Next,
children will develop a sense of social relatedness. This means caring about others, learning to
feel part of a larger social group, being able to form friendships, and cherishing diversity.
Finally, each child will be given the opportunity to develop his/her innate potential to know and
love God in a personal relationship.
We thank you for choosing our preschool and we look forward to a year of full of memories.
Biographies
Mrs. Sara Valerio feels she has reached a major step in her career goal. Prior to her promotion as the Pre-K Director, she worked as the Kindergarten Aide and Extended Day Care Coordinator for two years at OLMCS. As an OLMCS graduate (1994), she is very happy to serve in this capacity. After graduating from Bishop Garcia Diego High School, Miss Sara obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Development with emphasis on working with preschool age children from San Diego State University. She has over fifteen years experience working with families in the San Diego and Santa Barbara area as a professional nanny and personal assistant. In 2007, Miss Sara received the Child Development Site Supervisor Permit from the State of California Commission on Teacher Credentialing. In 2017, she upgraded to the Director Permit. She says working with young children has always been her passion. "There is no other place I'd rather be at this time in my life. I feel right at home." The start of the new Pre-K program was exciting for all of us and especially Sara Valerio. Miss Sara became a mother to a son in May 2007 and a daughter in January 2012.
Elizabeth Hanson is originally from Los Angeles. She moved to Santa Barbara in 1990 to attend Santa Barbara City College, enrolling in the Early Childhood Education Program. In addition to her studies, Elizabeth worked with children ages 2 1/2 - 6 years of age for two years at the SBCC Children's Center. She has worked with children and their families in Santa Barbara county for over 20 years. Miss Lizzy is married with two sons, the yougest an OLMCS alumni.
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The best way to contact us-
Mrs. Sara Valerio (Miss Sara) saral@mountcarmelschool.net Mrs. Elizabeth Hanson (Miss Lizzy) lizh@mountcarmelschool.net |
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