Preschool - About Us

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In 1979, the members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church opened a preschool for 3, 4, and 5 year olds. From 1979-2021, thousands of local children enjoyed playing together, learning together, and growing together in a Christian environment. Over time, Appleton public schools offered 4K and our enrollment focused more on 3K (3 and 4 year olds). 

In 2021, with all the changes due to COVID-19, the Good Shepherd Lutheran Preschool temporarily closed; in 2024, the members of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church evaluated the need for childcare and preschool in our community. We are thrilled to offer an all-day care program for 3 year olds in our community.

Our program's weekly tuition offers two programs for one price: Before/after childcare and 3K preschool class time. Before and after childcare is child-led and offers less structured activities. Large motor time (outside or in the gym), small motor time (games), dramatic play, quiet book corners, puzzles, social skills during snack and lunch times, etc will be encouraged during these times. 3K Preschool class time from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. will offer teacher-directed activities found in the Frogstreet Curriculum/Conscious Discipline (stories, pre-literacy skills, math skills, the world around us, and social-emotional learning), and faith formation through Bible stories, art activities, weekly chapel, and songs.  

Important information

• Good Shepherd Lutheran Preschool in Appleton is affiliated with our Lutheran Church Missouri Synod congregation, which enrolls 3-and 4-year olds. 
• Our campus includes a Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. In partnership with parents, the purpose of Good Shepherd Lutheran Preschool is to challenge and enable students to develop and grow spiritually, academically, emotionally, socially, and physically.
• Good Shepherd Lutheran Preschool allows young children to explore their environment and build new social skills through play and hands-on learning activities in a safe, positive, caring Christ-centered environment. Children will learn through play, with a balance of both teacher-directed and child-initiated activities.  Art projects, Bible stories, finger plays, songs, group time, outside time, gym time, and pretend play are just some of the exciting opportunities your child will have available to them throughout the day.
• Children must be 3 years old and fully potty trained by 09/01/2024. 
• Morning and afternoon snacks will be provided daily, including whole milk, 100% fruit juice, and water. No breakfast will be provided by the daycare; children may bring a breakfast to eat before 9:00 a.m. Whole milk is provided. Cold bagged lunch is to be packed and brought to the preschool daily for each child that is enrolled (note that microwaves will not be available). If a child forgets his/her lunch, one will be provided by the preschool at a cost of $5.00 per day.
• Our calendar runs from September through May. We closely follow the Appleton Area school district calendar for vacations.
• Tuition is charged weekly and covers the cost of structured class time (9:00 - 11:00 a.m.), two daily snacks with milk or juice, and the childcare before 3K class (7:00 - 9:00 a.m.) and after 3K class (11:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.), maximum of 10 hours/day. 
• Registration fee is $50 per child. 
• Tuition for 2024-2025 is $250/week. There is no adjustment for vacations or days that the preschool is closed. Tuition will be prepaid electronically each Friday. Discounts are available for families with more than one child or parents who are church members at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Appleton. 
• Enrollment is limited to 10 - 15 students per year. 

Mrs. Tanya Johnson, preschool director, is also the Director of Church Ministries for Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. She spent 22 years in Lutheran schools and churches, teaching and working with children from infancy through high school ages.She loves the energy and sense of wonder that young children have about the world around them. She has a B.A. in education and M.A. in theology (Lutheran studies). She has lived in Appleton since 2005. Tanya and her husband Todd have two daughters, Katie (a student at Kimberly high school) and Lizzie (a student at Celebration Lutheran school in Appleton), and a very spoiled dog, Abbie.  

NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS:

Good Shepherd Lutheran Preschool admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.