The class for 3-year-olds will be capped at 14 students and have two teachers. Children will attend enrichment classes such as music and movement, art, physical education and foreign language.

Tammy Brady, who will be the class's lead teacher, said early childhood education is vital.

"When you work with a young child, you're developing the person," she said. "It's a critical period in their development where learning is effortless."

Brady, who has a degree in education, has been teaching children ages 3 to 5 for nearly 20 years.

The National Association for the Education of Young Children says children benefit most when their teachers have high levels of formal education.

"Teachers who have specific preparation, knowledge, and skills in child development and early childhood education are more likely to engage in warm, positive interactions with children, offer richer language experiences, and create more high-quality learning environments," according to NAEYC's early childhood program.

EXTRA ATTENTION

Moss, who has taught at Fredericksburg United Methodist Church's preschool for 12 years, says 3-year-olds learn about colors, shapes, numbers and some letters.

They also take music and physical education every week for 30 minutes each.

"There's a big difference between a sitter and what we're doing here," she said.

Asked why she thinks preschool is popular, Miller --a parent of four children, ages 1, 3, 5 and 7--said with a laugh: "I think some just want their kids out of the house."

It's also a good option for parents like her with several children, she said.

"With my 3-year-old, it's very hard for me to work with him one-on-one at home because there are so many other children and so many other needs," she said. "So it was good for him to have a little extra educational attention at school."

Jeff Branscome: 540/374-5402
Email: jbranscome@freelancestar.com