https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Fri, 17 Apr 2026 01:54:28 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2629328 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 14:54:23 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2629328@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peachykeen: Totally, thank you for clarifying. I am agnostic now, but grew up catholic and went to a baptist elementary school before 10 years of Catholic school (including a Jesuit University) The outside Christian perspective on Catholicism was baffling to me, even as young child. The important things, especially for very young children, shouldn't be that different I would think. Easy for @LuLu Mom: to explain, well in our family we do things a little differently. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2629241 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 14:00:40 +0000 peachykeen 2629241@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@junebugsmama: @LuLu Mom: Just to clarify - Catholics don't actually pray TO Mary or the other saints, though I definitely get the misconception now that I've moved to the Protestant side. Catholics more ask Mary and the saints to pray for them. But I agree that at most your child would just hear about "good people" if they talk about saints (some classes may have a lesson on saints for All Saints Day, but it's usually more a history-type lesson). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2629233 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 13:53:20 +0000 mediagirl 2629233@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LuLu Mom: yet, I don't see them doing that in preschool. I come from a Catholic background and we didn't learn about praying to Mary until we were in first communion classes, I think... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2629218 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 13:37:40 +0000 MrsRoo 2629218@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LuLu Mom: we are Methodist and have our daughters in a Catholic daycare/preschool. I think our school actually has a much bigger focus on religion than I originally anticipated, but that is a positive for me. They teach a lot about God, Jesus and loving one another. They also pray before meals and visit the chapel maybe once a month or so? My 3 year old tells us that they go into the church to pray to Jesus and sing songs. She's learned about Mary through school but just that she's Jesus' mommy. Nothing about praying to her. The preist does drop in from time to time and says hi to all the kids during school. </p> <p>She is definitely not the only non-Catholic there, and there are kids in her class that are openly non-religious, but clearly ok with their kids learning about it in school.</p> <p>If it's a great school, I wouldn't let a difference in denomination keep you from sending your kids there! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2629119 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 10:54:13 +0000 LuLu Mom 2629119@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@junebugsmama: I think this is one thing that would raise a flag for me because it's not something we currently practice, also praying to Mary is something we don't do as Methodist. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2629115 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 10:47:59 +0000 mrsbubbletea 2629115@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LuLu Mom: I highly doubt they will get into those deeper levels of catholicism in preschool! Unless you don't like the idea of praying to saints? Off the top of my head thats the only thing I can think of. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2629073 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 09:59:50 +0000 ClairHuxtable 2629073@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a Christian who was raised in a Baptist church, and one of my childhood friends went to a Catholic school for the majority of her K-12 schooling experience. I don't think she was the only non-Catholic who attended in her grade, but things were set up (like with chapel, for instance) to ensure that non-Catholic students wouldn't feel alienated/out of place. It may be worth it to talk to someone at the school about what the experiences of non-Catholic students tend to be like. Also, if your daughter happens to mention something that isn't aligned with the Methodist denomination, you can acknowledge that there are differences but focus on the commonalities (which could be a great early learning experience for her). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2629063 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 09:48:23 +0000 looch 2629063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LuLu Mom: Then I'd try to identify what specific Catholic thing is concerning. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2629050 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 09:35:33 +0000 LuLu Mom 2629050@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: for me this isn't an issue, we are practicing Christians, so we pray on a regular basis with her. </p> <p>It's the "deeper" level of Catholicism that I was scared might be introduced and confuse her but sounds like this won't be an issue at the preschool level, and she will go to public school for K-12. I actually love that it is a religion based because it's important for us to have her grow up in the Christian faith (she can then choose if she wants to continue as she gets older like my parents allowed me to do.) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2629006 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 09:07:37 +0000 youboots 2629006@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@looch: I'm worried for this day.</p> <p>T goes to a catholic daycare, we are agnostic. It's at a private K-8 school. I'm going to talk to the director about the material before enrolling her in the preschool. I've been really happy there and it's a good fit for T. We chose it because it's flexible with schedules and my close friends kids go there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2629002 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 09:02:13 +0000 2littlepumpkins 2629002@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LuLu Mom: in preschool I wouldn't really worry about the teachings not aligning. I think most catholic schools at that age are not all that specific with regard to religion especially if you are Christian but not Catholic.</p> <p>I went to Catholic school and there were plenty of non-Catholics. I don't plan on sending my kiddos to Catholic schools but I would for preschool. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2628990 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 08:57:08 +0000 looch 2628990@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>As a non practicing Catholic, I knew Catholic preschool was no longer an option when my son came home from Catholic daycare and began to pray. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2628989 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 08:56:40 +0000 808love 2628989@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Our handbook came with a lot of information that the preschool is deeply committed to Christian values. Jesus and the bible were talked about regularly and there was weekly chapel. I think you could definitely teach other things at home that are different than what was taught in school and LO will pick up on both. Make the decision based on what you want for your child. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2628982 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 08:50:28 +0000 fancyfunction 2628982@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're Catholic and M attends preschool in a Lutheran church. The families there are a mix of religions and the kids learn about the Bible and Christianity in a general way - more about being kind to others, saying prayers before snack, etc. It has not been an issue. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2628973 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 08:41:17 +0000 meredithNYC 2628973@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agree with others that the religious lessons are minimal and usually based on a very general sense of Christianity. I'm Catholic and my daughter attends Catholic preschool, and her school is a mix of Catholics and Christians of other denominations. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2628962 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 08:32:02 +0000 peachykeen 2628962@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was raised Catholic, attended Catholic school K-12. We now attend a Methodist church and baptized LO in the Methodist church.</p> <p>I think the religion lessons they teach at such a young age are pretty universal - I doubt they will get into the specific differences (there really aren't all that many) until they are older. </p> <p>I actually attended preschool at a Lutheran church and I think the religion lessons were pretty minimal. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2628953 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 08:22:51 +0000 knittylady 2628953@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>DS1 is going to a Jewish preschool and I had the same worries. The school is walking distance and people love it, which is how we chose it. So far it seems we're not the only ones who aren't Jewish (but definitely in the minority) but the opportunity to learn about a different culture has been so great! DS no knows how to bless food in Hebrew and came home with the cutest card for us for Rosh Hashanah.</p> <p>I'd say go for it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2628949 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 08:15:56 +0000 NorthStar 2628949@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have a friend that is doing the opposite. They are catholic, but their girls attend a lutheran preschool. She hasn't seen any impact and in general loves that they are getting exposed to religion in any form. Would the school be able to give you the contact information for a few parents that have kids that go there so that you could ask them how they like it? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2628943 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 08:08:49 +0000 T.H.O.U. 2628943@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think every program is different in how much they do the religious education. But no it wouldn't deter me because I think most lessons at this age are good life lessons (love one another etc) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/religion-based-preschool-question#post-2628925 Thu, 29 Sep 2016 07:50:13 +0000 LuLu Mom 2628925@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm hoping to get some insight on this to make sure I'm seeing all sides. We are moving in 2 weeks and will need a new preschool. Our new town (20K people) has several options for preschool, however only 2 have an opening for an immediate start. The one we are leaning toward is part of the Catholic church in town. </p> <p>Here's my dilemma, we are not Catholic (my DH was raised Catholic, this is my MILs parish, however we attend a Methodist church.) </p> <p>My question: is this a big deal? We are not against their religion based schooling (DD attends church with MIL every once in awhile) however I'm worried that she will 1. be the only non-Catholic and 2. that there is a chance some of the teachings won't align with what we teach at home. Is this enough to not put her in preschool and wait for a waitlist opening of one of the other programs? </p>