Voted Best Preschool in
Miami County 8 Years Straight!
by the readers of the Miami County Republic

Welcome to a place where kids can
KNOW about God's love
GROW to be the people God created
SHOW the love of Jesus to friends & the world

2023-24 Class Preference Page

Our Goals

We are a children’s ministry of the First Lutheran Church and welcome children from all backgrounds and beliefs.  Our goal is that each child will learn to live as a child of God—loving God and loving their neighbors as themselves.  The purpose of this program is to:

• Provide a quality Christian preschool education that addresses each child’s unique learning style.
• Provide a positive, Christian, learning environment.
• Promote dignity and self worth in each child.

---

Curriculum

At SonShine Preschool, we offer a wide variety of learning experiences which strengthen many areas of development.  This provides opportunities for children to:

• Participate in creative free and directed play
• Learn to listen and follow directions, take turns, share and make good choices 
• Assume responsibility for their behavior as well as backpacks and other belongings
• Treat others as they want to be treated
• Learn and practice pre-kindergarten skills such as: shapes colors, numbers, letters, positional relationships, language development, visual and auditory skills.

Special Events:
Throughout the year, we will be taking special field trips to places such as the Paola Fire Station, the Paola Free Library, the pumpkin patch, trick-or-treating around the Paola Park Square and to Cedar Cove Feline Sanctuary in Louisburg.  Some of these field trips are walking journeys and some are out of town.  The walking trips include all classes, while the driving ones are for the 4-year old classes.  We also have a dental hygienist come to preschool in February to visit with us about taking care of our teeth.

Schedule & Tuition

SonShine Preschool is in session September through May, providing 3 hour sessions for 3 and 4 year olds.  3-year old classes are held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings or Monday and Wednesday afternoons as part of a combo class.  4-year old classes are held on Monday, Wednesday, & Friday mornings or in the afternoons as part of the combo class.  Morning classes meet 8:30 - 11:30.  Afternoon classes meet 12:30 - 3:30. 

Enrollment Fee: $40.00 per child
Monthly Tuition:

• 3 Yr Olds $95 / month
• 4 Yr Olds $120 / month

---

Staff & Contact Info

Staff:
Kris Fuchs - Director and Lead Teacher:  Kris is a licensed teacher who has 10 years of elementary classroom experience and 14 years of preschool experience.  She and her family have lived in the Paola area for nearly 20 years.  She is very involved with church and community activities.
 
Brenda Box- As for myself, I grew up in Paola, and I have always enjoyed friends and family.  I have taught Sunday school for about twenty years now. I also have worked at the First Baptist Preschool as an assistant teacher. In addition, I have been a physical therapist assistant since May 1994. I enjoy walking and taking pictures of God’s creations, Ice skating, roller skating, bike riding, horseback riding, jumping on the trampoline, swimming, and having fun with friends and family. My favorite sport is gymnastics.  

Kristal Sparks - Assistant Teacher: Kristal graduated with an elementary education degree form a private Christian college. All four of Kristal's children attended SonShine Preschool! 

​Kay Phipps - Assistant Teacher:  Kay and her family have lived in the area for over 10 years. She is involved in many community activities and has been at SonShine for nine years.  She is a wonderful asset to our program!

Contact Info:
For more information or to enroll, please contact:

• SonShine Preschool 913-294-5925 or:
• First Lutheran Church 913-294-3476
• e-mail: sonshine@firstlutheran-paola.org