Worthington Preschool Mission Statement:
"To nurture the social, emotional, educational and spiritual growth of each child in a loving Christian environment."
Who We Are
We are a play-based preschool, founded 55 years ago, offering half-day/morning classes for 3, 4 and 5 year olds. We follow State of Ohio content standards, while featuring a developmentally appropriate curriculum, focusing on socialization skills and learning in a success-oriented environment. Most of our qualified and degreed staff/teachers are past WPPS parents that have been here for many years... their true love of WPPS shows in their dedication to your children. At WPPS, we are a family!
Click Here to Learn More About Our Teachers
Click Here to Learn More About Our Teachers
What We Do
Our goal is to foster a love of learning that will carry on throughout the next 15+ years of your child's education. We respond to the needs of our students by providing a success-oriented environment in which positive words and actions encourage each child to ask questions, make choices, grow in self-confidence and self-control, develop respect for self/others and feel a joy and curiosity for learning. We believe in developing a partnership with parents/families so that each child can grow to reach their full potential.
What's Different
We keep our classroom size small and maintain a student/teacher ratio below the state requirement, allowing more one-on-one connections between students and teachers. We meet each child where they are, academically and socially, and work with the families to provide the best preschool experience possible for each child. We truly believe in the "power of playtime" and incorporate age appropriate learning into playtime seamlessly. We are more than just a childcare center...we are a second home!
Open Enrollment begins in January for all classes and required registration paperwork can be completed online. Students must be potty trained and the cut-off for each age-specific class is Sept 30.
We offer classes for four different age ranges of children...Young 3's, 3's, 4's and 5's. Each class curriculum is age-appropriate and teachers can custom tailor activities to fit each individual child's needs.
In addition to our regular 9am-12pm classes, we also offer programs that can extend your child's school day and provide even more opportunities for building social-emotional skills and independence.
Registration Packets will be uploaded to current students' Brightwheel profiles on Jan 5 for Priority Registration beginning at 12:01am 1/6/25. Open Enrollment begins January 8. Open Enrollment Registration Packets can be accessed starting Jan 8 by clicking the link above. All of our registrations are done online, so you will be prompted to create a Brightwheel account prior to accessing the Registration Packet. Contact us with any questions!
Feel free to peruse our Parent Handbook to learn about our guidelines, policies and procedures, to make sure we are the right fit for your family. All students must be potty trained and be current on all vaccinations required by ODJFS.
We like to fill the year with fun events and activities for our kids and their families. From our Fall trip to the pumpkin patch to our "Field Days" event in the spring, we offer lots of "extra" opportunities for our students.
Enrollment Information
We provide half-day (morning only) preschool for ages 3-5, from September thru May. All registrations for enrollment are submitted through Brightwheel, our online registration system, starting in January of the calendar year of planned enrollment. Once you have created an account and a profile for your child in Brightwheel, all required paperwork will be displayed for easy completion and submission.
Children who turn/turned 3 before September 30 of the school year in which they are enrolling and are potty-trained can be placed in age-appropriate class of the parents' choosing. Children who turn 3 after September 30, but before January 31, can enroll in our Young 3's class, which starts in January.
In order to secure your child's spot, we require the Enrollment Fee ($60 per child/$80 per family) and the WPPS Registration Form/Policies Agreement. No other fees or paperwork are due until May 1, when a non-refundable tuition deposit and one-time supply fee is due. Tuitions and fees are outlined below.
Priority registration will be given to current families with children in the school, as well as to members of the Worthington Presbyterian Church. Priority Registration begins the 1st week of January. Open Enrollment for students starts the 2nd week of January.
All State Licensing (ODJFS) required forms must be on file before your child can attend classes. Children must be potty trained and be current on all vaccinations recommended by the State of Ohio. Children who have not had all the recommended immunizations will not be permitted to attend Worthington Presbyterian Preschool. For more information on our school policies, please refer to the Parent Handbook.
For additional instructions on how to use our Brightwheel registration system, click here.
If you are ready to register now, click here to access our Registration Packet.
Children who turn/turned 3 before September 30 of the school year in which they are enrolling and are potty-trained can be placed in age-appropriate class of the parents' choosing. Children who turn 3 after September 30, but before January 31, can enroll in our Young 3's class, which starts in January.
In order to secure your child's spot, we require the Enrollment Fee ($60 per child/$80 per family) and the WPPS Registration Form/Policies Agreement. No other fees or paperwork are due until May 1, when a non-refundable tuition deposit and one-time supply fee is due. Tuitions and fees are outlined below.
Priority registration will be given to current families with children in the school, as well as to members of the Worthington Presbyterian Church. Priority Registration begins the 1st week of January. Open Enrollment for students starts the 2nd week of January.
All State Licensing (ODJFS) required forms must be on file before your child can attend classes. Children must be potty trained and be current on all vaccinations recommended by the State of Ohio. Children who have not had all the recommended immunizations will not be permitted to attend Worthington Presbyterian Preschool. For more information on our school policies, please refer to the Parent Handbook.
For additional instructions on how to use our Brightwheel registration system, click here.
If you are ready to register now, click here to access our Registration Packet.
It is unlawful for the school to discriminate in the enrollment of children upon the basis of race, color, religion, sex or national origin. It is our policy to treat all children and families with equal concern and respect. Children with special needs, including disabilities and chronic health problems, will be included on a case by case basis after the determination of the appropriateness of placement in our preschool classes. Parents, private medical and therapeutic consultants, and school personnel will make this determination and reassess it when necessary.
Preschool Class Offerings
All of our classes meet from 9:00am-12:00pm.
Optional School Day Extensions:
Lunch Bunch (M-Th) until 1:00pm & Enrichment (Wed) until 2:15pm
Optional School Day Extensions:
Lunch Bunch (M-Th) until 1:00pm & Enrichment (Wed) until 2:15pm
Young 3 Year Old's Class
3 years old after Sept 30 but before Jan 31
Starts in January
Tues/Thurs
$175/month or $1575/year
Tues/Thurs
$175/month or $1575/year
3 Year Old's Classes
3 years old by Sept 30
Tues/Thurs
$205/month or $1845/year
Mon/Wed/Fri
$245/month or $2250/year
$205/month or $1845/year
Mon/Wed/Fri
$245/month or $2250/year
4 Year Old's Classes
4 years old by Sept 30
Mon/Wed/Fri
$245/month or $2205/year
Mon-Thurs
$295/month or $2650/year
$245/month or $2205/year
Mon-Thurs
$295/month or $2650/year
5 Year Old's Pre-K Class
5 years old by Sept 30
Mon-Fri
$335/month or $3015/year
$335/month or $3015/year
Enrichment Class
Open to 4 and 5 year olds only
Wednesday
$115/month or $1035/year
Enrichment meets from 12-2:15 every Wednesday. Registration is first come, first serve and open to all enrolled 4 & 5 year olds.
Enrichment meets from 12-2:15 every Wednesday. Registration is first come, first serve and open to all enrolled 4 & 5 year olds.
Lunch Bunch
Open to 3's, 4's and 5's
Mon-Thur
$40 x Days per week/month
Lunch Bunch meets until 1:00 every school day but Friday. Sign-ups occur at the beginning of the school year and open to all enrolled students.
About our curriculum
Get to know more about what makes us special
WPPS teachers are trained to provide relevant, meaningful interactions and experiences for young children in an emotionally and physically safe and healthy environment. Our teachers prepare "hands-on," self-directed curriculum for each classroom with age and individually appropriate materials and activities to foster growth in self-esteem, social interactions and positive attitudes toward learning. The bullet points to the right provide more details and examples of how we use the school day to help foster a true love for learning and prepare our students for Kindergarten and beyond!
- Social Awareness: dramatic play, modeling of positive interactions, community visitors, field trips
- Physical Activities: daily opportunities to build large muscles (climbing, balancing, swinging, throwing, riding tricycles, etc.) and small muscles (puzzles, manipulatives, painting, cutting, etc.)
- Language/Literacy: hearing and seeing the written word (books, recordings, flannel board stories, opportunities for children to express ideas and feelings)
- Creative Arts: process-oriented activities involving a variety of tactile materials (paints, markers, crayons, play dough, carpentry supplies, etc.)
- Science/Math Readiness: nature study, cooking experiences, number concept games, measuring, counting, sorting, classifying, etc.
- Music/Creative Movement: singing, listening, recordings, musical instruments, rhythm and movement activities
Additional Enrollment Opportunities for Your Preschooler at WPPS
Lunch Bunch: M-Th 12:00-1:00
Lunch Bunch is a great opportunity to help foster independence and develop more social awareness and skills. Kids from various WPPS classrooms gather together in one room to enjoy lunch and playtime together. Kids bring their own packed lunches and teachers are on hand to help, as needed. Lunch Bunch sign-up occurs at the beginning of the school year and spots fill up fast. It is open to all students, with the exception of the Young 3's. Have your child join us Mon, Tues, Wed and/or Thur....or any combination of those days, for an hour filled with friends, food and fun!
Enrichment: Wed 12:00-2:15
Enrichment is an exciting way for your child to further build on their love of learning, engage with a diverse group of students, be creative and explore the world around them. Enrichment focuses on a specific theme each year, on a rotating basis for kids that attend more than one year. Next year's Enrichment theme will be a journey around the world, visiting a different continent each month, and learning about the countries' traditions, cutoms, foods, etc. Enrichment is open to students in our 4's and 5's classes and sign-up occurs at the time of preschool registration. We limited the class size to only 15 kids to maximize their learning potential. Kids bring their own lunch to eat together at the beginning of class before diving into the day's enrichment adventure. Studies show that participation in enrichment classes boosts self-confidence and self-esteem, helping children overcome fears and uncertainty they will face in their future, so sign up now.
WPPS Special Events and Field Trips
school activities and family events
Music Class
Trunk-or-Treat
Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Feast
Family Christmas Concert
Field Days
End of the Year Picnic
field trips
Meet our teachers
Mrs. Brown
I have been a teacher at WPPS since 2021 and have worked with both the 3 and 4 year old age groups. I have a degree from The Ohio State University in Early Childhood Education and live in Westerville with my husband, Kevin and our dog, Henry. My favorite thing about teaching preschool is the wonderful bond I get to build with my students and their families each year!
Mrs. Ingham
I began my journey with WPPS in 2016, when my kids started preschool here. Life has come full circle and I am now teaching in the same room where my kids began their educational journey. I received my Early Childhood Education degree from Ohio University and my Masters in Special Education from The Ohio State University. My favorite part of teaching at WPPS is being a part of a preschool family that really helps children thrive!
Mrs. Cinadr
I began teaching at WPPS in 2022. I graduated from The Ohio State University in 1997 and have been married for 20 years, with two daughters. My oldest is a Freshman at OU and my youngest, who attended WPPS in 2011, is now a sophomore at TWHS. My favorite part of teaching here is being connected to such a fantastic community of students, parents and teachers.
Mrs. Metzger
I have been teaching at WPPS since 2010 and have always taught in our 3 Year Old classes. I grew up in Worthington, and my husband, Josh, and I chose to raise our sons here as well. Our oldest son is a Freshman at Bowling Green and our youngest is a Junior at WKHS. My favorite part of being a preschool teacher is building relationships with my students and their families and getting the opportunity to watch them grow up in our community.
Mrs. Gardner
I started working at WPPS in 2022. I graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in Human Development and Family Science (HDFS). My husband and I have lived in Columbus for 25 years and we have two boys, Evan (10) and Cody (8). My favorite part of teaching at WPPS is hearing all the cute stories that the kids share everyday...they make me smile and laugh!
Mrs. Reed
I am lucky to have been teaching at WPPS for over 11 years. During the school day you can find me in the four-day fours and
the enrichment class. I earned my Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education from O.S.U. Additionally, I am the proud mother of an O.S.U. graduate and a current Franklin
University student. My favorite part of being a preschool teacher is when the kids run in all excited and ask what we are going to learn today.
the enrichment class. I earned my Master’s and Bachelor’s degrees in Elementary Education from O.S.U. Additionally, I am the proud mother of an O.S.U. graduate and a current Franklin
University student. My favorite part of being a preschool teacher is when the kids run in all excited and ask what we are going to learn today.
Mrs. Hartwick
I have been teaching the Pre-K 5’s at WPPS since 2016. Originally from Canada, I immigrated to the US in 2005 and moved to Ohio in 2008, but still spend part of the summer up North on the lake. I live in Worthington with my husband, our two sons, and our dog, Zeke. I love my job! My favorite part is watching the children learn and grow in a such a loving environment.
Mrs. West
I have been a teacher at WPPS since 2019, first as a sub, then as a full-time teacher, but I have been a part of our preschool family since 2016, when my daughters started attending. I have been a resident of Worthington for 8 years and am married and have two daughters, ages 9 and 11. My favorite part about being a preschool teacher is seeing the kids' sweet smiling faces as they walk in every morning and hearing all of their fun ideas and stories.
Would you like a tour of our facility?
do you have a question about our program?
Our Director and Program Assistant are here for you
Carrie Houk
Preschool Director
chouk@wpcnow.org
My name is Carrie Houk & I have the privilege to serve as the Director of WPPS. I am a proud graduate from BGSU with both a Bachelor’s degree, in Early Childhood Education, and a Master’s Degree, in School Counseling. I was lucky to meet my supportive husband, Ryan, while in school at BG, my forever “Falcon Flame”. Worthington has been our home for the last 18 years, most of which has been filled with raising our 4 boys. Tyler (15), Brayden (15), Cooper (12), and Lucas (12), all attended 2 years of preschool at WPPS before starting elementary school. When our preschool years were coming to an end, I was thrilled to be offered a teaching job to start my working journey at this place we call a “second home”. I have always loved working with children & families but those in our community are near and dear to my heart. Four years later, I was blessed with the offer to serve as Director of WPPS; I couldn’t imagine anywhere else I would want to be. My favorite part of my job is building positive and supportive relationships with staff, families, and the community to create a passionate partnership. We can’t wait to welcome you to our WPPS Family!
Erin Neff
Program Assistant
eneff@wpcnow.org
I have been a part of the WPPS family since my oldest nephew attended in 2003. I fell in love with the preschool then and enrolled my own daughters in 2016. Upon my twin's matriculation onto kindergarten, I voiced my sadness about leaving WPPS after so many years, only to be offered a position as the Program Assistant just a few months later. I have a Bachelor of Arts from Denison University and a MBA from Fisher College of Business, at The Ohio State University. I have lived in Worthington since 1981 and attended Worthington Hills Elementary, Perry Middle School and McCord Middle School before I graduated from THE Worthington High School in 1991. After traveling and living in many different places, I returned to Worthington to marry my amazing husband, Scott, and raise our family. I have been married for 14 years and have 11 year old daughters and a Boston Terrier, named Buddy. I have been the WPPS Program Assistant since 2020 and my favorite part of working at the preschool is connecting with the amazing families and greeting each kiddo with a smile and a compliment each morning while I work the car drop-off line. I feel so lucky to work here!
Want to know more about becoming a part of our WPPS family?
Fill out the form below and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Preschool Director | Carrie Houk
614-885-3765
chouk@wpcnow.org
Recent WPPS Event Photos
OPEN HOUSE & ART SHOW
Our Open House is one of our favorite events of the year! Each classroom selects a beloved children's book author and creates incredible art inspired by their theme. The artwork is displayed throughout the hallways, where parents and family members can stroll through, visit each classroom, and participate in fun crafts or activities. It's always a joy to see past students return with their siblings, and the scavenger hunt with prizes adds an extra layer of excitement to the event!
TRUNK-OR-TREAT 2024
Trunk or Treat at Worthington Preschool is becoming a tradition that we can all get behind. each classroom teacher creates a unique trunk each year.....this year's trunks even incorporated a couple husbands in costume. It is a true family affair at WPPS.
BACK TO SCHOOL 2024-2025
It's BACK TO SCHOOL time at Worthington Preschool! We are so excited to welcome our new students and to see our returning kids. It's always amazing to see how much they grow and mature in just one short summer!
So far the year is off to an amazing start and the tears have been minimal. Lots of happy kids, ready to learn and have fun with their new friends! We are looking forward to a GREAT year!
