About the school
A joyful beginning, on a firm foundation.
First Presbyterian Preschool has been an early-education landmark in Norfolk for more than forty-five years, a ministry of First Presbyterian Church where children are known, loved, and built on ground that lasts.
Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.
— Matthew 7:24–25 (ESV)
A foundation for character
Jesus finished the Sermon on the Mount with a builder's picture: wisdom is hearing what is true and doing it, and a life built that way stands when storms come. That is our aim for every child: not just readiness for kindergarten, but the beginnings of character that hold. The habits formed here (kindness, honesty, curiosity, perseverance, prayer) are the footings that lasting success is built on.
Our history
First Presbyterian Preschool began as a “Mother’s Day Out” program and opened its doors in September 1979 with 32 children and two teachers. Today, FPP can have up to 160 children enrolled.
Our philosophy
Each child is a unique individual created by God. Our program takes a developmental approach to learning: classrooms pair joyful play with thoughtful, age-appropriate instruction, and teachers nurture each child's intellectual, cultural, emotional, social, physical, and spiritual growth. That's the same whole-person growth Luke describes when Jesus "increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man" (Luke 2:52).
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.
— Proverbs 22:6 (ESV)
Our mission
First Presbyterian Preschool is an early childhood ministry of First Presbyterian Church of Norfolk whose primary purpose is to provide an excellent preschool experience for young children and their families.
By the numbers
Growing with Norfolk since 1979.
- Since 1979
- Serving Norfolk families
- Up to 160
- Children enrolled
- 6 weeks–K
- Programs that grow
Come see FPP for yourself.
The best way to know if we're the right fit is a visit. Tours happen most school days, and we would love to show your family around.