3-Year-Old Class

  • Our 3-year-old program emphasizes social interaction, cognitive, emotional, and spiritual growth. We spend time learning fine and gross motor skills, and listening to one another and the teachers.

    Students will:

    • Sing songs.
    • Play on their own and with others.
    • Make crafts.
    • Learn about Jesus.
    • Learn about colors.
    • Learn about shapes.
    • Learn about numbers and counting.
    • Begin to recognize and write their name.
  • 3-Day Program

    • Age Requirement
      Age 3 by December 1 of School Year
    • Class Size
      14 Students
    • Student/Teacher Ratio
      7 to 1
    • Days
      Monday/Wednesday/Friday
    • Class Times
      9 - 11:30 a.m.
    • Payment Plans
      Tuition costs are available on our enrollment page.
  • 2-Day Program

    • Age Requirement
      Age 3 by December 1 of School Year
    • Class Size
      14 Students
    • Student/Teacher Ratio
      7 to 1
    • Days
      Tuesday/Thursday
    • Class Times
      9 - 11:30 a.m.
    • Payment Plans
      Tuition costs are available on our enrollment page.
  • Register for Preschool

    Sample Daily Schedule

    9 a.m. // Doors Open

    The main school doors are open from 9 – 9:10 a.m. Doors to the classroom open at 9. Help your child place their belongings in their cubby, get a hug or high five from the teacher, and head into the classroom. Be sure to check the board in the drop-off area for any announcements about the day.

    9 - 9:40 // Free Play

    Students have a chance to explore the classroom and play with each other. Will you play trucks, blocks, or dress-up clothes?

    9:40 - 9:45 // Clean Up

    Put away the toys and art supplies. We make sure our classroom is neat and tidy before moving on.

    9:45 - 10 // Circle Time, Good Morning, Calendar

    Circle time is our chance to learn about weather and calendar. Be ready to talk and share!

    10 - 10:15 // Bible Story

    We read and talk about Bible stories together.

    10:15 - 10:30 // Art

    Children get to make some artwork or crafts with guidance and help from the teachers. What will you make?

    10:30 - 10:50 // Snack and Rest

    Students have opportunity throughout the year to bring a snack to share with the class. Please pack a healthy one! We’ll pray together, thank our friend for bringing snack, and dig in.

    10:55 - 11:15 // Gym or Outside Time

    If the weather is nice, we’ll play outside on our all-natural playground. If not, it’s off to the gym for fun with trikes, balls, running and more.

    11:15 - 11:25 // Story Time

    We’ll read some stories together. Which book is your favorite to read?

    11:25 - 11:30 // Get Ready to Head Home

    We spend our last few minutes getting the wiggles out as we sing, do motions, and enjoy finger plays.

    11:30 // Dimissal

    Time to greet parents with a hug. Don’t forget to grab the take-home materials in your child’s cubby!

    3-Year-Old Teaching Team

    • Darcy Fesmire
      Head Teacher, 3-Year-Olds (M/W/F and T/Th)

      Darcy Fesmire

      Head Teacher, 3-Year-Olds (M/W/F and T/Th)

      Darcy began working at First Trinity Preschool in 2008 as an assistant teacher and became the 3-day 3-year-old Head Teacher in 2020. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Grove City College in Pennsylvania.  She has been married to Eric since 1993, has 4 handsome boys, Caleb, Samuel, Isaac, and Joel and a pet turtle, Floyd. Her family enjoys theater, reading and vacations to visit her parents in North Carolina.  She started at the school because her youngest 2 were students, and it gave her the chance to still be home after school with her kids. She has stayed because she loves the people she works with and the chance to meet some special little people and love them with the love Jesus has for them!

      Personal Info and Fun Facts:
      • Experience:
        15 years in the classroom, + mom years
      • Favorite Color:
        Rose
      • Favorite Children’s book:
        Monster at the End of the Book by Jon Stone
      • Favorite Food:
        Pizza
      • Favorite Ice cream:
        Bittersweet Symphony
      • Favorite Season:
        Fall
      • Hometown:
        Braintree, Massachusetts
      • Hobbies:
        Theater, Reading
      • Family:
        Married to Eric since 1993, 4 sons and 1 daughter-in-law & many exchange students over the years
      • Pets:
        Turtle named Floyd
      •  

       

    • Michelle Helles
      Assistant Teacher, 3-Year-Olds (T/Th)

      Michelle Helles

      Assistant Teacher, 3-Year-Olds (T/Th)

      Michelle has been a First Trinity Preschool mom since 2017 and joined the staff as the Assistant Teacher for the 3-year-old class in 2020. She was born in Johannesburg, South Africa and moved to the US in 1997 with her family. She relocated to Buffalo to attend college and now lives in Kenmore with her husband and two children, Joshua and Gwen. She enjoys travel, reading, gardening and exploring local places. Michelle loves Jesus and spending time with His children, both big and small.

      Personal Info and Fun Facts:
      • Experience:
        10 years in children’s ministry and 3 years in preschool
      • Favorite Color:
        Green
      • Favorite Children’s book:
        The Christian Mother Goose Book by Marjorie Ainsborough Decker
      • Favorite Food:
        Indian
      • Favorite Ice cream:
        Caramel Cone
      • Favorite Season:
        Fall
      • Hometown:
        Johannesburg, South Africa
      • Hobbies:
        Putting together photo albums, Baking and Decorating
      • Family:
        Husband Tom, Son Joshua and Daughter Gwen
      • Pets:
        Two Guinea Pigs named Cakey and Hershey
    • Tracy Bramwell
      Assistant Teacher, 3-Year-Olds (M/W/F)

      Tracy Bramwell

      Assistant Teacher, 3-Year-Olds (M/W/F)

      Tracy began working as an assistant teacher in 1998 and left to pursue a career as a technology integrator in local schoools. She joyfully returned to First Trinity in 2020 as an assistant teacher in both the 2- and 4-year-old classes. She is currently the assistant teacher in the 3-day 4-year-old class. Tracy had wanted to be a teacher since Kindergarten but it took her a while to get there. Never give up on your dreams! She is an avid Bills fan who also likes reading and nature. She loves Vacation Bible School, First Trinity, Jesus and her family and close friends.

      Personal Info and Fun Facts:
      • Experience:
        more than 30 years
      • Favorite Color:
        Blue
      • Favorite Children’s book:
        Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Waber
      • Favorite Food:
        Peaches
      • Favorite Season:
        Summer
      • Hometown:
        Avon, Ohio
      • Hobbies:
        Reading, Swimming and Jigsaw puzzles
      • Family:
        Husband, Mark
    • Debbie Kopec
      Head Teacher, 3-Year-Olds (M/W/F)

      Debbie Kopec

      Head Teacher, 3-Year-Olds (M/W/F)

      Debbie first joined the First Trinity Preschool staff in September of 2016 as the assistant teacher in the MWF 4-year-old classroom. She took a brief step back from the preschool to be home with her daughters, and worked as a substitute throughout the preschool during that time. Debbie became one of the MWF 3-year-old head teachers in September 2023. She has been married to her husband, Scott since 2005, and has three daughters, all of whom attended First Trinity Preschool. In her free time, Debbie enjoys spending time with her family, gardening and exercising.

      Personal Info and Fun Facts:
      • Experience:
        14 years as a mom, 12 years as a volunteer for VBS & 5 years working at First Trinity Preschool
      • Favorite Color:
        Purple
      • Favorite Children’s book:
        Mo Willems books
      • Favorite Food:
        Spicy Thai Chicken Salad from Core Life
      • Favorite Ice cream:
        Almond Joy Ice Cream
      • Favorite Season:
        Summer and Fall
      • Hometown:
        Tonawanda, New York
      • Hobbies:
        Spending time with family & friends and exercising
      • Family:
        Husband Scott, and 3 daughters Madison, Becca and Alyssa
    • Lisa Pulver
      Assistant Teacher, 3-Year-Olds (M/W/F)

      Lisa Pulver

      Assistant Teacher, 3-Year-Olds (M/W/F)

      Lisa joined the First Trinity Preschool staff in September 2023 as one of the assistant teachers in our 3-year-old classrooms. She has been a part of First Trinity’s Vacation Bible School, children’s Sunday education hour and work camp trips with high school students for many years. Lisa has been married to her husband, Derek, since 2003 and has three children, all of whom attended First Trinity Preschool. In her free time, Lisa enjoys knitting, doing puzzles, quilting and hiking.

      Personal Info and Fun Facts:
      • Experience:
        18 years as a stay at home mom, 14 years + as a volunteer for VBS, High school work camp trips & Sunday School & 3 years working at daycare and after school programs
      • Favorite Color:
        Green
      • Favorite Children’s book:
        Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss and How Do Dinosaurs Say Goodnight? by Jane Yolen
      • Favorite Food:
        Pizza
      • Favorite Ice cream:
        Cookies and Cream
      • Favorite Season:
        Summer
      • Hometown:
        Pendleton, New York
      • Hobbies:
        Quilting, Knitting, Hiking, Camping, Reading
      • Family:
        Married to Derek for 20 years and 3 kids ages 18, 16 and 13
      • Pets:
        Archer, a wind sprite, Misty, a gray cat, Dottie, a parakeet and a goldfish from the county fair