Frequently Asked Questions

First Presbyterian Day School serves children from 12 months through 5 years old. Our classrooms and learning experiences are thoughtfully designed to meet children where they are developmentally while allowing them to grow, explore, and build relationships within our school community.

The Day School is open Monday through Friday from 7:45 AM–5:15 PM, providing families with a full-day early childhood program.

Yes! FPDS offers year-round care and learning.

During the traditional school year, we generally follow the Beaufort County School District calendar for major holidays and breaks. We are also closed for one week during the summer for summer break and one week at the end of summer for professional development, classroom preparation, and environment resets as our teachers prepare for a new school year.

Families receive our annual school calendar in advance to help plan for scheduled closures.

At FPDS, we believe young children deserve a childhood filled with wonder, relationships, meaningful experiences, beautiful environments, and time to explore their ideas deeply.

Our program combines small student-to-teacher ratios, a Reggio Emilia–inspired educational philosophy, thoughtfully designed indoor and outdoor environments, Studio experiences, family-style meals, and a strong sense of community.

Rather than viewing early learning as simply preparation for what comes next, we value children as capable, curious learners right now.

Our program is inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy of early childhood education, which views children as capable, curious, creative, and full of ideas.

Teachers carefully observe and listen to children and use their questions, interests, conversations, and discoveries to help guide learning. Children explore concepts through many different forms of expression—including drawing, painting, building, movement, storytelling, dramatic play, light, natural materials, clay, music, and more.

We believe the environment is an important part of learning, so our classrooms and shared spaces are intentionally designed to invite exploration, collaboration, independence, and discovery.

Yes. FPDS participates in ABC Quality and accepts eligible childcare scholarship vouchers.

We may also have a limited number of church-supported scholarship opportunities available for qualifying families. Families are encouraged to contact the Day School for current information regarding tuition assistance and availability.

Absolutely. Academic learning is intentionally woven into meaningful, developmentally appropriate experiences throughout the day.

Children build early literacy, language, mathematics, science, problem-solving, fine-motor, social-emotional, and executive-function skills through play, projects, conversations, routines, and hands-on investigation.

For example, setting the table for lunch can involve counting classmates, matching one place setting to each child, recognizing names, practicing one-to-one correspondence, taking turns, and building independence—all within an authentic part of the child's day.

Our goal is not simply for children to memorize information, but to develop the confidence, curiosity, independence, communication skills, and love of learning they will carry with them into kindergarten and beyond.

FPDS is an ABC Quality program, which means we follow enhanced quality standards, including lower teacher-to-child ratios than standard childcare licensing requirements.

These smaller groups allow our teachers to build strong relationships with children, observe their development closely, respond to individual needs, and create more meaningful learning experiences.

Our youngest classroom, serving children beginning at 12 months, has a maximum of 10 children with two teachers.

Class sizes and ratios vary by age group and classroom.

Yes! Two fresh snacks and one warm lunch are provided each day and are included in tuition.

Mealtimes are also an important part of our curriculum. Children help prepare the tables with real dishes, cups, utensils, and cloth napkins and participate in family-style dining with their teachers.

Children practice serving themselves, passing food, pouring, communicating with friends, trying new foods, and caring for their shared space. Our rotating menu provides children with repeated opportunities to experience a variety of nutritious foods, and when available, children may even enjoy vegetables grown in our own school garden!

Potty-training expectations vary by age and classroom. We recognize that toileting is a developmental process and work in partnership with families to support children as they gain independence.

Please contact us for the current toileting expectations for your child's age group.

No! Children do not need to be walking independently to join our 12–24 month classroom.

We recognize that every child develops at their own pace, and our youngest classroom is thoughtfully designed to support children across a range of developmental stages. Whether your child is crawling, pulling to stand, taking their first steps, or confidently walking, our teachers will meet them where they are and provide a safe, nurturing environment that encourages movement, exploration, and growing independence.

First Presbyterian Day School is a mission of First Presbyterian Church, and Christian values such as kindness, compassion, gratitude, respect, service, and caring for others are modeled throughout our school community.

We do not use a traditional Bible-based preschool curriculum or focus on memorizing Bible verses. Our educational approach is grounded in the Reggio Emilia philosophy while Christian values are naturally reflected through our relationships and the way we care for one another.

Families of all backgrounds are welcome at the Day School.

Our Studio is a dedicated space where children can explore ideas and communicate their thinking through many different materials and mediums.

Our Studio Teacher works alongside children and classroom teachers to extend classroom research and provide opportunities to investigate materials such as paint, clay, wire, drawing materials, loose parts, light, projection, natural materials, and more.

In Reggio Emilia–inspired practice, these different ways of thinking and communicating are often described as the “hundred languages of children.” We value children's artwork not simply as a finished product, but as a way for them to think, investigate, make connections, and express ideas.

Outdoor learning is an important part of the FPDS experience. Children have regular opportunities for outdoor play, movement, exploration, and investigation.

We view our outdoor spaces as an extension of the classroom—not simply a place for recess. Children may garden, investigate nature, build, create, engage in large-motor play, collaborate with friends, or continue classroom inquiries outdoors.

While each classroom's rhythm varies based on the children's ages and needs, a typical day includes a balance of:

• Child-led play and exploration

• Small-group learning experiences

• Outdoor learning and movement

• Creative and Studio experiences

• Stories, music, and conversation

• Two snacks and a family-style lunch

• Rest or quiet time

• Opportunities for children to revisit ongoing projects and investigations

Our days have a predictable rhythm while still allowing flexibility for children's ideas, interests, and discoveries.

We believe families are important partners in children's learning.

Teachers share classroom experiences, observations, photographs, documentation, and important information throughout the year. Families also have opportunities to connect with teachers through conferences, school events, classroom communication, and our documentation of children's learning.

Our goal is for families to see not only what their child did during the day, but also the thinking, learning, relationships, and development happening behind those experiences.

Yes. Teachers observe and document children's growth throughout the year and use developmentally appropriate assessment tools to better understand each child's strengths, growth, and areas where additional support may be helpful.

Observation and documentation are also central to our Reggio Emilia–inspired approach. Teachers use what they notice about children to reflect, plan learning experiences, and determine possible next steps.

We would love to welcome you to First Presbyterian Day School!

Families interested in learning more about the Day School or beginning the enrollment process can complete our Inquiry Form located under Prospective Families on our website. Once we receive your inquiry, a member of our team will reach out to you with more information and next steps.

Families are also welcome to call the Day School directly to schedule a tour. We would love the opportunity to show you our classrooms and learning environments, share more about our Reggio Emilia–inspired philosophy, and answer any questions you may have about your child's age, needs, and enrollment.

We look forward to welcoming your family and sharing what makes the Day School such a special place to learn, grow, and belong.