April 25, 2024
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Registration underway for Little Lambs Preschool

Students at Little Lambs Preschool in DeKalb recently made cards to share with workers at local police and fire stations. Pictured (from left) are teacher Jessica Molitor, Parker Hill, Savannah Reese, Cora Jordan, Adalynn Dvorak and teacher Cara Leadingham. (Photo provided)

DeKALB – As with many organizations, it has been a year filled with learning curves for Little Lambs Preschool.

Like other schools, the preschool at 511 Russell Road in DeKalb, closed its doors to in-person learning in March 2020. Since many preschool families were struggling with the financial effects of the pandemic, the church council at Immanuel Lutheran, with recommendation from the Board of Christian Education, voted to offer tuition reimbursement to all families. The council also continued to support the staff with full pay.

With financial support of the church and donations from many preschool families, the staff worked creatively to continue to reach out to students and their families through the remainder of the school year. Staff used many creative avenues, including Zoom, emails, U.S. mail, learning packets and no-touch hand delivered special activities for various themes including Easter. The school celebrated graduation in May with personalized yard signs and front yard teacher visits for each child who was moving on to kindergarten. The 3-year-old classes were invited to a drive-by send-off to close out the year. Teachers met families in the parking lot to present certificates, books and summer gifts.

Little Lambs Preschool, with masks in place and careful implementation of CDC guidelines, was able to reopen with in-person learning in September 2020. The school has continued to operate safely under CDC guidelines throughout the pandemic. As this school year continues, the school has welcomed back additional students, with current classes at near capacity. They look forward to a more traditional close to this school year, with in-person graduation and hopefully some outdoor family festivities.

Looking toward fall 2021, Little Lambs Preschool is gearing up to continue to move forward. While continuing to operate under CDC and DCFS guidelines, plans are in place to reopen all classrooms with a full staff in the fall. Registration for fall is open.

Little Lambs is a Christian preschool, established in 1996 and licensed by the state of Illinois. It is not a daycare center, but rather a traditional preschool, offering classes to prepare children ages 3 to 5 for the academic years ahead. Using the guidelines of the area school districts, with a play-based atmosphere to promote learning and discovery, classes work on kindergarten readiness skills.

Each class period runs from 9 a.m. to noon with multiple class options. Children must be at least age 4 by Sept. 8, to enroll in the four- or five-day option.

Interested families are invited to visit www.LittleLambsDeKalb.org or call the office at 815-756-6669 for more information or to schedule a tour.