The Preschool at St. Mary’s Child Center is Reggio inspired and nationally accredited.   The children are involved in the highest quality early learning experiences.  Our work facilitates cognitive, social, emotional, physical and creative development.  The children are ready for school when they complete the program and move on to kindergarten.

“In the Reggio Emilia preschools, however, each child is viewed as infinitely capable, creative, and intelligent. The job of the teacher is to support these qualities and to challenge children in appropriate ways so that they develop fully.”
-Louise Boyd Cadwell, Author of Bringing Reggio Emilia Home

Click here to learn about the Reggio Emilia Approach. 

St. Mary’s provides a low adult to child ratio, transportation, social services, nutritious meals and a highly qualified staff.

We provide half day and full day preschool at three locations:  Thompson Building (downtown), Gilliatte Building (Fort Harrison) and the IPS/Butler Laboratory School (34^th and Meridian).  Please note: the Lab School follows a different calendar.  See below.

Full Day Preschool
Monday- Friday
7:00 am – 5:30 pm
Open 48 weeks a year
Full Day Calendar for Thompson and Gilliatte
Full Day Calendar for Lab School
*CCDF vouchers and tuition accepted ($175/week)

Half Day Preschool
Tuesday-Friday
8:30 am – 11:10 am or 1:00 pm – 3:40 pm
Open 42 weeks a year (37 weeks at Lab School)
Half Day Calendar for Thompson and Gilliatte
Half Day Calendar for Lab School
*Scholarships available and tuition accepted ($90/week)

“For years I have described the work of the educators at St. Mary’s as “watching angels on earth”.  Their educational practices represent the highest quality of teaching in the context of appreciating and strengthening the child as a capable, competent, powerful learner.”
-Ena Shelley, Dean, College of Education, Butler University

“The care and thoughtfulness with our children as human beings is exceptional.  I work across the USA and internationally in education- you are a model in both the philosophy/implementation of pre-k/education as well as a model of diversity (socioeconomic and ethnicity).  I feel so fortunate for my children to be part of the St. Mary’s family.”
-Robert Price, Lab School Parent

“I was very impressed with the center and its ‘the child is capable’ approach.  I loved that all the walls were covered in beautiful pictures and comical quotes from the kids.  I think that it is such a great experience for those children to have; getting to go on numerous field trips and having teachers that really care and want to be there.”
– Butler University Speech and Hearing Student

“I enjoyed my job before, but I have been so extremely content since I have started working with St. Mary’s that it is incredible.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to work with you guys!  I love it!   You and your staff have been so helpful and I am so appreciative.   This year I am definitely thankful for St. Mary’s!”
- Jay Patterson, Peace Learning Center