Cross and Crown Preschool: sharpening minds for 25 years

As they prepare to celebrate 25 years in existence, Cross and Crown Preschool continues to sharpen minds.

Children love to learn in the preschool's classroom inside Cross and Crown Lutheran Church off of Elevator Rd. in Roscoe.

Cross and Crown Preschool's humble beginnings started in late 1997 and early 1998 when a group of parents from Cross and Crown Lutheran Church formed a committee to explore the possibility of creating a preschool at the church.

“Most of us had children from ages one to five and wanted their first school experience to include a spiritual background,” said Angela Stone, who was an original member of the committee as a young parent.

“A member of the church, Linda Tolson, was very beloved already as a Sunday School teacher and we knew her experience and reputation at her job as preschool teacher at Village was exactly what we wanted for our kids.”

Tolson became the first director and teacher at the school.

As they say, the rest is history. Cross and Crown Preschool has had the privilege of having many experienced and beloved staff over the last 25 years.

Even through some hard times, they have come out on top with the current staff, Becky Hendrickson and Danielle Blatchford.

“We plan to take Cross and Crown Preschool into the next 25 year as one of the top preschools in the surrounding area and Stateline,” Stone said.

“ It's amazing how much has changed from those first years to now, but one thing has not: the desire to teach our children how to be kind, fun, creative, and love to learn.”

On Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, Cross and Crown is extending an invitation to former students, parents, former staff, families of possible new students, and the public to join in a day of fun. An open house with loads of fun will be rolling out from 12 noon until 3 p.m.

Visitors can relive memories of the past 25 years of Cross and Crown Preschool, reminisce while looking at photo books and other memorabilia, and make new memories with today's future generation.

Little ones can spend time in a bouncy house, and everyone can try their hand at games, have their faces painted and enjoy food served at a picnic lunch.

Currently Cross and Crown Preschool welcomes students to be part of a blended classroom with little ones who are ages three to five years old. Programs are four days a week: Monday through Thursday, either in the mornings or the afternoons, each a two and a half hour class.

Currently there are 35 students with room for five openings in the afternoon class.

“We provide a safe and loving atmosphere where we are also allowed to bring God into our classroom,” teacher Danielle Blatchford said. “We pray before snack times and during the holidays we are able to teach the true meanings of why we celebrate.”

All of the curriculum is set up to prepare young minds with a main goal of preparing students for kindergarten.

Once a month they celebrate Spirit Day. Children make “All About Me” bags, along with other nifty, fun creations.

Teachers invite families to the open house to see why students love coming to preschool at Cross and Crown and find information on all that they have to offer, plus class times.