ABOUT/CONTACT

Ms Kristin and class, 2016

ABOUT

PHILOSOPHY: New Creation Preschool’s philosophy is that early childhood is a time for exploration and discovery. Experiences in these early years foster competence in young children in all areas of their lives. Our purpose is to provide an atmosphere for young children where they can grow while preparing them for Kindergarten. We not only respect children, we demonstrate our respect every time we interact with them. Respecting a child means treating even the youngest as a unique human being, not as an object. Our goal is an authentic child, one who feels secure, autonomous, and competent.

We view children as individuals and do not separate by category in conversation or practice. We believe that for children to develop a sense of belonging they must see themselves, their families and their communities represented throughout our school in books, posters, artwork, family sets, dolls, cooking utensils and environmental print in their languages.

Ms Kristin and class, 1997

HISTORY:  New Creation Preschool is a non-profit outreach of New Creation Fellowship Church, a lively Mennonite congregation of 50-70 who gather for worship, fellowship meals, congregational discernment, small groups and Sunday school.  At New Creation we seek to celebrate our differences as gifts and blessings – our differences in color, gender, sexual orientation, and the many other ways we are categorized by the world. You are welcome in this place as we journey together, discerning how to follow Jesus more faithfully. The preschool was founded and created by a group of people, including Kristin Neufeld Epp (current director/teacher), from New Creation Fellowship Church in 1995. In summer of 1994, New Creation Preschool operated as an all day childcare program known as New Creation Early Childhood Program. Starting in Fall 1995, we transitioned to a half day preschool program. We moved to Asbury Park Retirement Community in 2002 after fire destroyed our classroom at New Creation Fellowship Church. We were enriched by added intergenerational experiences with elders before moving back “home” to New Creation Fellowship Church 2009. 

Ms Kristin online, page from Together Apart: a preschool pandemic story

WHO WE ARE NOW:  New Creation Preschool is licensed by the State of Kansas to care for up to 15 children 2.5 years of age and not yet enrolled in kindergarten. The choice was made to limit class size to 13 children 3-6 years of age. Children attend one, two or three sessions per week. Each class is guided by Ms. Kristin (lead teacher and director) and at least one additional teacher (Ms Brenda Mays since 2022). This program operates under regulations required by KDHE. Paid and volunteer teachers will be welcomed into our classroom after training, health assessments and background checks. New Creation Preschool Serving Unit (a group of church and community members) meets to support and care for the needs of the preschool. Matters pertaining to New Creation Preschool will be processed with staff members and brought to Preschool Serving Unit meetings. 

CONTACT

a non-profit outreach of New Creation Fellowship Church since 1995
 
 
contact Kristin Neufeld Epp, director/teacher:
newcreationpreschool@gmail.com


35 thoughts on “ABOUT/CONTACT”

  1. Hi. I am a preschool teacher in a Jewish Orthodox school in the New York area. You are so inspiring that after 25 years of teaching I find myself changing my methods based on things I’ve seen and read on your blog. The children in your school are very lucky to have you.

  2. I know it’s a little late in my career life, but after reading all these comments I think I want to be a pre-school teacher — or pre-school “anything.” Couldn’t be more proud of you. Much love, Dad.

  3. Dear Kristin, I found your blog today and I am so inspired. I have been teaching preschool for nine years. I was starting to get a little burned out and uninspired. I have a unique class starting in June and have been praying for some inspiriation. Thanks for adding more color to my imagination and new spirit in my work. Sorry about overusing the Obvious forms of inspire. Debbie Lyon The Kangaroo Forest, Woodlands, TX

  4. Hello Kristin,
    I’m a preschool teacher in Brazil and whenever I need some inspiration I come to your blog. The work you develop is great! One day I would like to visit your school and who knows, maybe one day one day you could come to visit our school over here. P.S.:I can’t wait to see your Easter works!

  6. I am currently looking at enrolling my daughter in preschool and was wondering when your preschool begins its enrollment process.

    Thanks,
    Sheila

  7. Hi,
    I have enjoyed your blog for a long time and shared it with other teachers and parents at the preschool where I taught.
    I now teach at the college level and continue to share it with students who are aspiring to become teachers as well. Thank you for sharing so many wonderful ideas and activities and for clearly communicating the respect you have for young learners.
    If you ever check out new blogs, I’ve just started one that centers on children’s literature. Give it a peek and see if it could be a useful tool for you, or to share with your preschool community. idealbook2012.blogspot.com
    Thanks!

  11. hey there, kelly. on the theme of my blog i have the option of having a “background photo” and the painted rainbow is one photo repeating itself. ( i had no control over the placement of it, so i found one that i liked when it was repeating. ) does that make sense?

  12. I really like your painted background did you make that or find it. Can you please explain how you did it. I have an of what I want to do. But don’t know how to get it on the whole page.

  14. I just came across your blog. I can’t wait to explore it more! I’m a mom to four young children – 6, 4, and 2 (twins.) I’m embracing homeschool for next year…and any years after that…and I’m really excited at the freedom this will give me (us) to explore learning and the world. We’re homeschooling because the traditional environment is traumatically NOT the right fit for my 6 yr old…and after her experience, and mine, I realize the traditional setting isn’t right for any of us. Not now, not in these early years. And we can’t afford to continue private education for all of them. My two oldest have been in a Montessori environment for 4 yrs now.
    Any advice for a mom like me? Trying to grasp the big picture (educating my kids), not getting caught up in the little picture (going against tradition…what?!), yet following the echos from within that this is AWESOME and totally possible?

    Thanks in advance,
    Melanie Levy

  15. great question.

    the most technology we use is an iphone and ipod for music (which the preschoolers know how to navigate), i’ll use my macbook for showing youtube videos, photos, etc.

    i wish we had more we could work with!

    ipads for everyone!

    or at least one. : )

    good luck. let me know if you have other questions.

  16. Hi! My name is Katy I am a senior at Illinois State University studying early childhood education. I am currently in a assistive technology class and we are doing a project on using social networking and blogs to broaden our knowledge on technology. I was trying to find an early childhood twist and was wondering if you use an technology in your classroom. I really enjoyed looking at your blog and would love to hear back from you. Thank you!

  19. Hi
    I just came across your blog and think it is great! Really inspirational. I started a small Reggio inspired pre-school last year and am just starting up a blog now to document what we are doing. I am excited about collaborating with other educators.
    I wanted to post a link to your site as blog love. Would you mind? If you want to check out what I have done so far and make any suggestions that would be great
    http://awoveneducation.wordpress.com/
    I would love to get more people reading my blog to build up a bigger network of support and communication.
    Take care
    ruth

  20. Hi Kristin! I am a preschool teacher from NJ and an avid follower of your site. I am right there with you in regards to your philosophy, practices, and style. Thanks for sharing everything you do with the world! I was looking for a “contact” or e-mail button for a general question and didn’t see it, so I’m just posting them here. I hope that’s okay! I was wondering if you’d mind sharing the wording of your photography release form. I’d like to compare it our school’s. I want to make sure that parents will feel comfortable signing it, but also want to protect the school from any issues that could come up. Thanks so much!

  21. For the sillouettes we used our classroom’s digital projector and put a piece of paper on the wall and traced around their heads. Some of the younger kids were pretty wiggly so we found it worked best to hold their heads still right up against the wall. I think if you had a blank wall and the kids standing between the wall and any light source (like a flash light or floor lamp) it would work. I have heard of people using over head projectors too.

  26. thank you. : )

    i want to do sillouettes sometime. i don’t think i ever have. what kind of light/set up do you use?

  28. I am a preschool teacher in Seattle and I am getting so many great ideas from your web site! You teach in a way that is playful, fun and allows for discovery and exploration. The way preschool teaching should be! Love the mother’s day idea! We traced and cut out our sillouettes since we are doing a study of shadows and then cut them out and glued them onto mom’s favorite color of construction paper. Nice use of a pocket chart to display words for kids to write!

  29. thank you, thank you, thank you. i’m glad to share one of the greatest joys of my life.

    i think you might be able to provide me with insight on what it’s like to have a teenager!!! i’m about to head into that.

  31. Hi, love your site! A friend of mine who’s a preschool teacher recommended it… I was looking for resources on how to talk about Dr. MLK to very young kids. Our daughter is 2.9 yrs old. I will adapt some of your suggestions to fit her age and look forward to your plans for this year!

  32. I am so inspired by your creativity. I have 3 boys ages 16 years old, 8 years old and a little guy 21 months old. I find that your pictures and stories highlight creativity but more importantly how to explore, learn, appreciate and value the smallest of all things. Thank you for sharing and for allowing me into your daze 8-}

  34. Hi!
    I follow your blog, and recommend it on my website as one of my favorites. My name is MaryAnn Kohl. I am the author of over 20 books on art for kids. I am writing because I need your help to win a wonderful education grant, and I hope you can let your blog readers know about the grant competition. It takes votes to win, daily votes if possible.

    Specifically, I am nominated for an amazing education grant from Pepsi. If I win, I will travel the USA in 2011 and bring hands-on art workshops to 6000+ teachers whose schools do not have art programs! Ultimately this would impact 150,000+ children who have no art at school. I am asking that you vote for my project, and if you have anyone in your address book who cherishes creativity, I hope you will invite them to vote too!

    There are 3 ways to vote (and you can use all three every day if you want to… “power voting!”
    1.) Direct vote at: http://www.refresheverything.com/greatartkids
    (You have to sign up first with the program to be a verfied voter.)
    2.) Text your vote – no sign up needed: Text these numbers: 104840 To Pepsi’s phone: 73774
    3.) Go to Facebook and vote through the Pepsi Voting App. This is pretty easy.
    Note: If you get lost on the Pepsi site, just put MaryAnn Faubion Kohl in the search box and it will take you to my voting page. Thank you so much for helping me achieve my goal of bringing art to schools all over the USA. I’d love to come to your town!

    Thank you for considering posting my need for votes!
    I know this post doesn’t fit where I’ve put it, but I couldn’t find your email.
    MaryAnn

  35. hi
    i love your web site
    i’m a kindergarten teacher from israel
    and you inspire me
    i always wondered what’s your location
    maya

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