Toddler Class

Children that will be 2 years old by September 1st of the school year are eligible for our Toddler program.

Our teachers understand that the toddler program is likely the first school experience for their students and they take special care to provide a nurturing and stimulating environment. Through a play based curriculum the children will learn how to interact cooperatively and with kindness towards peers, develop positive attitudes toward learning and a love of school, gain self-esteem and develop independence through age-appropriate hands-on learning experiences.

Class size is limited to 10 students which allows us to maintain a 1:5 teacher / student ratio. Each class also benefits from the presence of a parent helper which further increases our adult /student ratio to 1:4.

CLASS OFFERINGS

Tuesday / Thursday – 8:45am – 11:30am
Monday / Wednesday / Friday 8:45am – 11:30am

Teachers

Mrs. Kari Nau

Mrs. Nau (Pronounced: Gnaw) has a B.A. in Education from Cardinal Stritch University. She has over 10 years of teaching experience in early childhood education. Mrs. Nau believes in the education of the whole child and play-based learning. She loves living in Whitefish Bay and is thrilled to be a part of the Tree of Life school family. As Director, she fosters a safe, loving environment for all students and strives to support parents during these important years of their children’s education.

Mrs. Elaine Wilcox

Mrs. Wilcox earned her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and business from Ripon College, and her master’s in business from UW-Madison. After being a marketing director, business owner, and stay-at-home mom, Mrs. Wilcox has happily spent the last decade teaching. She has taught at Fox Point Preschool, Mequon Preschool, and Trinity Freistadt. Mrs. Wilcox delights in getting to know the personality and learning style of each of her students, and is excited to join the wonderful staff at Tree of Life.

DAILY SCHEDULE

  • Welcome / Free Choice Play
  • Large Motor Activity – outdoor playground or indoor playroom
  • Group singing, hand washing, snack *
  • Independent reading
  • Circle time, “Hello” song, theme related story
  • Music & Movement – get the “wiggles” out
  • Art & Sensory activities, free play
  • Special story
  • Good-bye song

ASSOCIATIONS

Tree of Life is a non-profit ministry of the United Methodist Church of Whitefish Bay. We welcome families and children of all faiths as it is not a prerequisite to belong to the church to attend Tree of Life Preschool.