Westwood Preschool is a Christian preschool affiliated with Westwood Community Church in Chanhassen, Minnesota. The staff, all members of the church, strive to teach the values of the Christian faith to the children through guided conversation, spontaneous teachable moments, Bible teachings and songs. The teachers pray with children, modeling Christian attitudes and outlooks in their interactions. The staff are eager to lend a listening ear to parents to share in the development of their children. The typical teacher to student ratio is 1 to 8 (1 lead teacher and 1 assistant with 16 students). This smaller group size enhances a safe, healthy learning environment. It is our goal to establish relationships with each family, walk alongside them, and support them in nurturing their children during these precious preschool years.

We believe:

• Every child is a gift from God.
• That the motivation to learn is intrinsic in every child.
• That play is the primary vehicle for learning.
• In encouraging a spirit of cooperation.

Our Purpose
The purpose of Westwood Preschool is to provide opportunities for children to learn and grow socially, emotionally, physically, intellectually, and spiritually in God's grace, spilled out to them through people and programs that foster and nurture God's love for them.

Our Goal
Westwood Preschool strives to maintain the highest standards of quality through continual professional development in the areas of curriculum design and implementation as well as assessment to support social, emotional and behavioral development. Several tools are used: NAEYC standards, Minnesota’s Early Learning Standards, Creative Curriculum Goals and Objectives, Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale, and Handwriting Without Tears. These resources are referenced for program planning and evaluation on an on-going basis. We invite families to be involved and welcome open communication through email, phone or by appointment.

Westwood Preschool is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Human Services to meet the needs of children ages 3 to 5. Children must be at least 33 months and toilet trained to enroll. We are dedicated to serve all children, regardless of race, creed or religious affiliation. We will enroll children with special needs if we can safely and proficiently meet the child’s needs through an individual child care plan (ICCCP) as stated in Minnesota Rule 3. Questions regarding licensing can be directed to the licensing division of the Department of Human Services, 651.431.6500.

Westwood Preschool is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children; a voluntarily comprehensive process of internal self-study and improvement. NAEYC Accreditation is a mark of quality.