Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.

                                                                                                Mark 10: 14

St. Matthew’s Preschool has been serving the children and families of Spartanburg’s west side for more than 35 years, fulfilling its mission to educate the whole child in a learning environment that is enjoyable and nurtures the unique gifts of each child.  Guided by the best of our Episcopal tradition, the preschool program focuses on developing the cognitive, social, emotional and physical skills of each age group.

Staffed by a director and team of 8 teachers, the preschool program operates on a 9-month schedule that is similar to the public schools.  Parents may register their children for a 2-day or 3-day program for 2-year olds and a 5-day program for 3 and 4 year olds.  Classes run from 9:00 a.m. until 12 noon.  Thirty-six students are currently enrolled in the program; class sizes are purposefully kept small.  A developmental curriculum is used to structure class activities and a calendar of events is provided to reinforce lessons and enrich learning.  A large playground and indoor gym allows ample opportunity for fun and socializing.  Two of our favorite times each year are the Christmas play and the year end presentation.  It is here that we discover the next generation of Tony, Emmy and Oscar winners!

One of the capstones of the preschool program is weekly chapel.  On Wednesdays, the school gathers together for worship.  The staff and the priest take turns leading the lesson.  We share music and song. The children listen to stories that bring everyday life into the simple lessons of God’s love and the ministry of Jesus.  We teach love for our world and caring for each other.

Two final blessings…  First, our preschool is culturally and economically diverse, very much like the community that surrounds us.  For some in our program English is a second language, and we have been honored to be a first “American” experience for many of our students and their families.  As we strive to make our program available to many groups of people, we are also able to support those with financial need through our scholarship fund.  Second, we have had opportunities to offer the inclusion of special needs children in our program.  When a good class fit is available, we provide a setting where every child is a success story.

ST. MATTHEW'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH