About Us
Purpose
Our purpose is to provide early childhood learning experiences based on Biblical principles, in order to enrich your child’s learning process, to supplement and foster home learning, and to help each child make a smooth transition between home and elementary school. School should be a positive experience with adults who care about the whole child and their family.
Philosophy
Chestnut Christian Preschool & Kindergarten is a non-denominational Christian School. We teach many Bible stories and their basic truths. No specific church doctrine is taught. An emphasis on Christian values is entwined throughout all of the programs.
We believe each child is a unique and valuable individual created in God’s image for His purpose, and the youngest child can praise and glorify our Creator and Lord and Savior. We believe that each child has a unique, divinely created timetable for development; we should neither force nor prevent a child’s development and learning, but should nurture and encourage the developmental process at its own rate. When a child is ready to learn, our program is prepared to teach him/her without delay.
We believe education should be introduced gradually throughout early childhood rather than cataclysmically at the age of 6. “For it is precept upon precept, line upon line, here a little, there a little.” Our program reflects our philosophy of gradual entry into the world of formal schooling, society and independence. Research has shown that a good preschool education does in fact prepare a child for school and the children who have been to preschool usually adjust to school more readily and enjoy it more. Our aim is not only to provide your child with the best preschool experience available, but also help parents to set up a schedule that works best for your family. We want you to consider us an extension of your family, helping you in any way we can.
We consider our prices fair and reasonable but we understand that some find themselves in a position where they cannot afford them. Please let us know if this is the case. Payment plans are available.
Staff
Lorraine Miller is a 1974 graduate of Fairwood Bible Institute. She is a mother of two grown children who are alumni of CCPS&K. She has been involved with Chestnut Christian Preschool & Kindergarten since it opened in 1983. Prior to becoming the director and administrator of the school in 1995, she worked with children ranging in ages from 3 years to 6th grade for the New Boston public school system. She lives in New Boston with her husband, Alden.
Jennifer Judd is the head of the kindergarten teaching team. She lives in New Boston with her family. Her three boys are all CCPS&K alumni. She has been with the school since 2007. Her undergraduate degree is in Animal Sciences and Education and she acquired her masters in 1993.
Mary Thompson joined the school in 1995. She has taught both the 3’s and 4’s over the years. She lives in Goffstown and is the mother of two grown children. Mary graduated from Notre Dame College in Manchester with a degree in Early Childhood Education and Child Development.
Stacy Prescott was on staff in 1995 as the 3 year old teacher. She moved away and just recently her family moved back to this area and we welcomed her in the fall of 2017. She has taught 3’s, 4’s and Kindergarten. She is a mother of 3 grown children.
Marguerite Cail joined the Kindergarten teaching team in 2018. She loves teaching language arts. She lives in New Boston with her husband and three children.
Wendy Sandford began as a preschool parent and stayed on as a teacher assistant. She lives in Goffstown with her husband and four children.
Jessica Sullivan began as a preschool parent in 2019 and came on as staff as a Teacher Assistant and has proved to be much more than an assistant. She lives in New Boston with her husband and three children.
Correen James joined us as an assistant with the 4’s and 3’s program in 2023. She and her family live in Antrim, NH.
Nicole Mills began as a preschool parent in 2021 and came on as staff as a Teacher Assistant in the 3 year old class. She recently moved with her husband to New Boston from Massachusetts and has two young boys.
Molly Hoppert started as an aid in the After School program in 2020 and began taking courses and is now a qualified Lead Teacher. Molly Team Teaches the 3’s with Mrs. Mary and continues to be an integral part of the afterschool program. Molly lives in New Boston with her family.
Stephanie Spofford moonlights at our school as the Director of the After School program. You can find her during the day at New Morning School in Bedford. She lives in New Boston with her husband and son.
First and Last Day of School
The school year begins with an Open House. For your convenience we offer it at several times prior to the first day of school.
We follow the New Boston public school as to the first day of school.
Summer break begins on or around the middle of June.
Summer Camp is offered throughout the summer primarily for current and alumni families of the school.
Lunch and Snack Information
We ask that each child have a filled water bottle with them each day that they can easily get from their cubby to go with their snack, lunch or whenever they are thirsty.
There is Snack Time mid morning as part of the school day. We ask that their snacks be healthy.
For those staying all day, lunch begins between 12:00 and 12:30. We ask that their lunches be healthy as well. If there is left over food we will send back home whatever possible.
