Where We Started

Calvary Preschool was founded in 1970 as a ministry of Calvary United Methodist Church. The preschool was housed in the newly completed Education Wing of the building. Gloria Winn served as the very first director. When a large edition to the church opened in 1978, the growing preschool moved to new quarters. In the spring of 2002 Calvary moved to a new location at the corner of Raab Road and Towanda Avenue in Normal. The new church building featured two large preschool classrooms, gym space, and a new office for the director.

Since our founding nearly fourty years ago, the purpose of Calvary Preschool has been to reach out in love to children while providing a safe, stimulating Christian preschool environment. That philosophy is still in place today.

naeyc and DCFS Accredited

We are proud to be accredited with The National Association for the Education of Young Children (naeyc) and the Illinois Department of Children & Family Services (DCFS). We take great pride in meeting or exceeding guidelines established by these two entities.

naeyc administers a national, voluntary, professionally sponsored accreditation system to help raise the quality of all types of preschools, kindergartens, child care centers and school-age child care programs. We are blessed to have a naeyc accredited program at Calvary. To find out more about naeyc, visit The Right Choice for Kids, a naeyc website, designed just for parent questions and information.

Our Curriculum

Calvary Preschool staff and Board believe preschool children learn best through interactive learning. Teachers strive to help each individual child develop his/her full potential. The preschool curriculum has a:

• Balance of independent and cooperative activities.
• Considers the intellectual, social, emotional and physical development of each child.
• Encourages independent decision-making, problem solving and creativity. 
• Encourages parent involvement.