Grow With Us!

at Calvin Presbyterian Church

Now Enrolling 

for September 2012/2013

For information or to register, 

call 401-333-0303

About the Director/Head Teacher

Laurie Denio brings a dynamic combination of strong academic background and personal experience to our school. Laurie earned a MA in Human Development from Boston College and a BA in Early Childhood Education from UMASS-Amherst. She taught at Old South Preschool in Boston’s historic Old South Church for 6 1/2 years. The Denio family relocated to Lincoln, Rhode Island, where Laurie chose to stay home with her children. In 2004, Laurie returned to the work force as a teacher in the Instructional Play program at the Boys and Girls Club of Cumberland/ Lincoln. She has been instrumental in the creation and start up of Hand in Hand since it opened in 2008! Laurie is married to husband, John and they parent four children.

The staff at Hand in Hand is committed to providing learning opportunities that will enhance the development of the whole child, as recommended in the RI Early Learning Standards.  Teachers will provide ample opportunities for independent, planned, play-based activities and discovery.  Teacher led activities will be concentrated in group activities, one on one and small group instruction.

Through participation in our program and at the individual rate of development, we strive to help children meet the following goals:

• Develop a lifelong love for and relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Develop curiosity, an interest in and joy of learning.
• Make a smooth, comfortable transition from home to school.
• Develop self-control, sense of responsibility and obedience necessary for success in school and in life.
• Develop successful relationships with peers and adults; respect for individual differences
• Develop a healthy body through exercise and healthy eating choices.
• Develop fine motor skills essential for writing
• Explore pre-reading skills in a literature rich environment.
• Test math and science concepts through hands on activities.
• Gain an appreciation of art and music through creative exploration of a variety of music and materials.

At Hand in Hand Christian Preschool, we believe each child is a unique creation of God with special gifts, characteristics and needs. Learning about God and building a relationship with Jesus Christ at a young age positively affects that child’s life.

We believe that children need a safe, nurturing environment in order to grow in all areas of development: physical, cognitive, social-emotional and spiritual. Young children learn best through play, exploration and age appropriate, hands-on activities. We believe that teachers are important facilitators and role models in a child’s learning. We continually seek opportunities to encourage, challenge and stretch a child’s thinking. Hand in hand we will journey with each child through out the year with prayer, patience and compassion.