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Catholic education can never start too early. That's why several Catholic schools in the Albany Diocese have preschool programs, opening their doors to children as young as three.

"We're trying to prepare them for kindergarten and for formal schooling," said Jane Kromm, principal at St. Clement's School in Saratoga Springs.

With more than 100 children between the ages of three and five in its half-day and full-day programs, St. Clement's tries to lay the groundwork for a proper Catholic education. The preschoolers learn morality and Bible stories.

Faith "isn't just something that happens on Sunday," the principal explained. "Whatever age we can share our faith [with] is great. We're preparing them for academics, but we are [also] forming a relationship with them and God." At St. Mary's School in Ballston Spa, preschoolers start their day in a circle, singing, moving and telling stories.

"Prayer is a part of the program," principal Lynn Fitzgerald told The Evangelist. "They have their morning prayer, prayer before snack and an end-of-the-day prayer."

One of the positive aspects of having a preschool in the same building as the upper grades, Mrs. Fitzgerald said, is allowing the younger children to see and ask questions about the older students.

"We have great kids here," she said. "It's nice to have good, strong role models for the young kids."

St. Mary's motto is, "Small school, big heart," and staff say that's true even at the preschool level. The school prides itself on being especially family-oriented.

With about 45 preschoolers in its various programs, a large aspect of St. Mary's preschool is allowing the children to socialize and learn how to get along in a group.

Both preschools introduce subjects like library time, art, music and physical education to the older children in their programs. St. Clement's is also able to offer a Spanish class.

"It's a packed day for them," Mrs. Kromm remarked.

Neither school expects all the children in the preschool programs to stick with a Catholic education, though school officials hope families make that choice.

"It's how we evangelize," Mrs. Kromm told The Evangelist. "When they're baptized as infants, we want to continue that faith formation through their life. Pre-k is a good starting point."

Staff at St. Mary's say they enjoy having a role in the children's developmental process.

"Being part of something at a young age gives the kids connections they need to then build relationships," Mrs. Fitzgerald said. "It's important for the development of values."

Both schools also offer after-school daycare, allowing younger children a place to learn and be cared for while their parents are at work.

At St. Mary's, children of all ages participate in the after-school program together. Mrs. Fitzgerald pointed out that older children read to younger ones and enjoy assembling jigsaw puzzles together or teaching the smaller students how to play games.

"We're doing the best for our kids," said the principal.

Nothing, she said, can beat a Catholic education.[[In-content Ad]]

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