Welcome to St. Peter's Preschool

for ages 2-5 years old from 9 am- 1 pm

 

St. Peter’s Preschool program embraces the philosophy that children learn best through play.  We are focused on providing a developmental curriculum that is consistent with the highest standards of early childhood education. We believe our role as teachers is to provide a fun and safe learning environment with the child’s growth and development in mind so that the foundation of learning is established. 

We are a peanut-free and treenut-free school.

Tours are scheduled Monday-Friday between 9:30-11:30 AM.

To schedule a tour, please contact

Lori Jannsen

Preschool Director

preschooldirector@stpeterscarmel.org

317-846-6860

2022-2023 Class Offerings/Pricing
2022-2023 Registration Forms
2022-2023 Calendar
A Video Introduction to Our Preschool
St. Peter's Preschool learning through play

 

2-Year-Old • Parent's Time Out Program

Age 2 by September 1

2- Year-Old Parent's Time Out Program at St. Peter's

Toddler age preschoolers are constantly growing and changing.  The following curricular objectives are designed to guide the social development of preschoolers and prepare them for preschool.  These goals are focused on throughout the year.  In addition to the yearlong goals, toddlers will be introduced to many conceptual areas.

 

Read teachers' bios

 

Three-Year-Old Program

Age 3 by September 1

Young children learn in a variety of situations.  IN the 3-year-old classes students will learn during circle time, at tables and during play.  These experiences will expose them to the many different educational opportunities related to literacy and number sense.  These young learners are also introduced to numerous conceptual ideas over the school year.

 

Read teachers' bios

3-Year-Old Preschool Program at St. Peters

 

Pre-Kindergarten Program

Age 4 by September 1

Kindergarten Readiness is the priority for our four-year old program.  Students will gain a basic understanding of core content areas needed to be emergent in literacy, and develop number sense and other basic skills. These indicators describe the knowledge and skills that serve as the foundation for meaningful early learning experiences.  These goals are aligned with the Carmel Clay Schools academic standards.


Read teachers' bios

Pre-K Program- Age 4 - St. Peter's Church in Carmel

 

Transitional Kindergarten Program

Age 4 1/2 by September 1

Kindergarten readiness is the key to our Older 4/5-year-old program. Students will continue to master the core content needed to be emergent in literacy, develop number sense and other basic skills. These young learners will also be exposed to additional conceptual ideas expanding their knowledge through group learning and guided experimentation. These indicators describe the knowledge and skills that serve as the foundation for meaningful early learning experiences. They are aligned with the Carmel Clay Schools Kindergarten Standards and describe essential concepts and skills for young learners.

 

Read teachers' bios

Transitional Kindergarten Program at St. Peters UCC

 

Teachers

Our teachers love teaching this age group!

St Peter's preschool teachers and assistants have a natural love and affinity for early childhood education. Every teacher in the 3-Year-Old Program and 4-5 Year-Old Program has a bachelor's degree in elementary or early childhood education.  Our Parent's Time Out teachers (two-year-olds) have over 13 years of experience teaching this age group.

 

All of our teachers and assistants are devoted to St. Peter's Preschool philosophy, developed over 30 years ago: Children are unique individuals who deserve a loving, secure environment that promotes a sense of wonder and discovery in learning.

Two's Teachers

Two's Teacher
Esha Hrivnak

Esha Hrivnak:   Two's Class Lead Teacher.  Esha received her bachelor’s degree in Communications with a double emphasis in Public Relations and Television Broadcasting from the University Of Indianapolis.  Esha enjoys taking pictures and teaching dance once a week to Preschool Aged students at the Monon Community Center.  Esha's son Aneesh is a graduate of St. Peter's Preschool.

Two's Assistant Teacher

Kristen Strege

Kristen Strege joined the St. Peter's team in 2022 and is the teaching assistant for the Monday/Wednesday 2's class and the Friday 2's Enrichment Class.  She received a degree in Elementary Education from Anderson University and completed her M.A. degree through Olivet Nazarene University.  Kristen and her husband have three children and enjoy spending time together outside and being ative.

Two's Teacher

Susan Schuh

Susan Schuh is the lead teacher in the Tuesday/Thursday 2-year-old class. Ms. Susan has taught the two-year-old class for 3 years and previously taught a 3-year-old class.  She graduated from Purdue with a Bachelor's in Early Childhood Development. Susan has taught in several preschool/daycare facilities and ran her own in-home daycare.  On the days she is not at St. Peter’s, Susan is a caregiver/community helper for the elderly and individuals with special needs. She and her husband John have four daughters .  “I love St. Peter is because of the super supportive families and the wonderful staff who give their heart and soul to their students! “ 

Two's Assistant Teacher
Amber Whisler

Amber Whisler is the teacher in the Friday 2s class.  She is an IU grad and has taught elementary school for 18 years.  She and her husband Matt moved to Carmel in 2011. Three of her children have attended St. Peter's Preschool. Most of her free time is spent chasing toddlers or watching her boys play baseball and swim!

Two's Assistant

and Three's Teacher Assistant
Jenny Fuller

Jenny Fuller is the teacher assistant in the MW and TTH 2's class.  She is also the assistant in the Friday 3/s Enrichment Class.  Jenny was a nurse for ten years in the hospitals before staying home with her boys, Max and Luke.  Jenn then began working for the Carmel Clay Schools as an assistant and really enjoyed working in various roles! Jenny has an infectious personality and loving nature.  

 

Two's Assistant Teacher

Lauren Wagner

 Lauren Wagner is the teacher assistant for the T TH F Classes.  She studied Physical Therapy & Health Services at the University of St. Francis before staying home with her two kids Zach and Zoey, both St. Peter's Preschool Alumni. She loves working at St. Peter’s Preschool because of all the wonderful teachers and families she has known throughout the years!  Lauren enjoys fitness activites and 

Three's Teachers

 

Three's

Teacher
Kristen Newkirk

Kristin Newkirk is the lead teacher in the MW and T TH 3’s classes.  Kristin holds a BA in Elementary Education from Indiana University and received her master’s in Elementary Education/ Reading Specialist from Ball State University. She has been teaching preschool at St. Peters since 2017.  Ms.Kristin enjoys traveling with her boys, Cody and Colton. Both boys are St. Peter's Preschool Alumni.

Three's Teacher 
Sara Carlise

 

Sara Carlise is the lead teacher  for the Thursday Three-Year-Old Enrichment Class.  Sara has 3 children.  Sara earned her degree from Universtiy of MN in Finance & Economics.  Sara has been teaching preschool for over 4 years. 

 

Three’s Teacher

Karen Bailey

 

Karen Bailey is the lead teacher for the Friday 3’s Enrichment Class.  She has a degree in Elementary Education from Butler University. 

 

Teacher's Assistant
Valerie Perkins

Valerie Perkins is the assistant teacher in the Monday/Wednesday and Tuesday/Thursday  3 -year-old program.  Valerie has worked at St. Peter’s Preschool as an assistant and substitute teacher since 2011.

Teacher's Assistant & Office Assistant
Christie Umthum

 

Ms. Christie works as an office assistant on Monday/Wednesdays and is the assistant teacher for the Thursday3 year old Enrichment class. Christie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in both Art and Psychology from the University of Iowa. Christie has been a part of the St. Peter’s family since 2010 when the first of her four boys was in the 2’s class! All four of her boys are proud St. Peter’s graduates! Christie’s unique role as assistant allows her to get to know and enjoy all the St. Peter’s students!  

 
 

 

Amber Whisler is one of the MW 3's class teachers. She is an IU graduate ahd has taught elementary for 18 years.  She and her husband Matt moved to Carmel in 2011.  They ahve 4 children; Max. Donnie, Joey and Addie.  Three of her children have attended St. Peter's Preschool.  Most of her free time is spent chasing toddlers or watching her boys play baseball and swim.

 

Pre -K and Transitional Kindergarten Staff

Pre-K Teacher
Jill Schlies

Jill Schlies is the MWF PreK Lead Teacher.

Jill has a degree in Education from the University of Iowa and joined the St. Peter's staff in 2008.  

Pre-K Teacher
Nicole Reed

Nicole Reed is a lead teacher for one of our MWF Pre-K classes and teachers the Tuesday and Thursday Enrichment Classes  She has a degree in Education and an Endorsement in Kindergarten from Ball State University and has been teaching at St. Peter’s Preschool since 2015.

Transitional Kindergarten Teacher
Jill Graber


 

Jill Graber Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Lead Teacher.  Jill joined the St. Peter’s staff in 2020. She has a degree in Elementary Education with endorsements in early childhood and kindergarten from St. Joseph’s College. Jill and her husband have three children, two girls and a boy. She loves children’s literature and enjoys making crafts.

 

Pre-K Assistant
Katie Shattuck

Katie Shattuck is a teacher's assistant in Ms. Jill’s Pre K class. Katie joined the St. Peter's staff in 2011. She has a degree in Art andDesign from St. Mary-of-the-Woods College.  Katie's youngest son Jude attended St. Peter's Preschool.

 

Pre-K Assistant
Dawn Auch

Dawn Auch is a Pre-K assistant in the MWF Pre-k class and an Assistant Director on Tuesdays.  Dawn has been at St. Peter’s Preschool since 2013 and is a graduate of Purdue University.    

Transitional Kindergarten

Assistant
Jenna Zartman

 Jenna Zartman is the assistant teacher in the Transitional Kindergarten class.  Jenna has a bachelor’s degree in music education from Duquesne University and a master’s degree in music performance from the University of Florida.  In addition to teaching preschool children, Jenna teaches saxophone lessons to middle and high school students.hted to be a part of our St Peter’s Preschool staff.


Parent's Comments

Read what parents have to say about St. Peter's Preschool

"The teachers at St. Peter's Preschool not only give the kids a guidance of self-confidence and a social environment, but academically the kids are prepared for Kindergarten. We've been with St. Peter's for six years and my two older boys still talk about how much they miss the teachers they had. Not only did my children have wonderful teachers but we – as a family – have met other families that have become such great friends."

- Parent of two preschool alumni and a currently enrolled 4-year-old

 

"St. Peter's provides a positive learning atmosphere, a well-rounded curriculum and a fabulous forum for children to learn social and classroom skills. But most importantly, my daughter loves her teachers and loves going to St. Peter's every day!"

- Parent of a 5-year-old

 

"St. Peter's Preschool is truly a little gem and our family feels blessed to have found it. It provides my children with a fun-filled education that they will treasure for the rest of their lives, and provides me with the reassurance of knowing that I have provided the very best preschool education for my children. The preschool is in a safe and fun environment (a true home from home) and amongst teachers and staff that are genuinely talented, kind and nurturing.

I could not rate this preschool any higher. It is simply outstanding and I feel a huge debt of gratitude to St Peter's for helping my children adjust so well to life in a new country away from close friends and family. The ease with which they settled in to our new life here truly is testament to the nurturing, caring environment and high caliber of the teaching staff."

- Parent of a preschool alumni and a currently enrolled 4-year-old


Preschool Contact Information

Carmel, Indiana Preschool Contact Info

Preschool Phone: 317-846-6860

Preschool Email: preschooldirector@stpeterscarmel.org

We’re at 3106 E. Carmel Dr, Carmel, IN 46033 (the northeast corner of Keystone and Carmel Dr).