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, Monday/Wednesday/Friday 3-Year-Olds

      Darcy Fesmire

      Head Teacher, Monday/Wednesday/Friday 3-Year-Olds

      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:
        12 Years
      • Favorite Color:
        Brown
      • Favorite Children’s Book:
        There’s a Monster at the End of this Book
      • Favorite Food:
        Pizza
      • Favorite Ice Cream:
        Mocha Chip
      • Favorite Season:
        Fall
      • Hometown:
        Braintree, MA
      • Hobbies:
        Cooking, Facebook, Scrapbooking
      • Family:
        Married with 4 boys
    • Katie Swanekamp
      Head Teacher, Tuesday/Thursday 3-Year-Olds

      Katie Swanekamp

      Head Teacher, Tuesday/Thursday 3-Year-Olds

      Katie worked as a substitute while her kids attended First Trinity Preschool. In 2017 she began working as an assistant teacher and became the 2-day 3-year-old Head Teacher in 2020. She’s a stay-at-home mom when not teaching as well as a volunteer educator at the zoo, leading tours. She’s also an animal handler there, showing off animals around the park and sharing fun facts with kids.

      Personal Info and Fun Facts:
      • Experience:
        4 Years
      • Favorite Color:
        Purple
      • Favorite Children’s Book:
        Hope for the Flowers
      • Favorite Food:
        Pizza
      • Favorite Ice Cream:
        One Buffalo
      • Favorite Season:
        Fall
      • Hometown:
        Buffalo, NY
      • Pets:
        2 beta fish: Rainbow and Sowver
      • Hobbies:
        Knitting, Crocheting, Scrapbooking
      • Family:
        Married with 2 kids
    • Michelle Helles
      Assistant Teacher, T/Th 3-Year-Olds

      Michelle Helles

      Assistant Teacher, T/Th 3-Year-Olds

      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:
        2 Years
      • Favorite Color:
        Green
      • Favorite Children’s Book:
        Jesus Storybook Bible
      • Favorite Food:
        Indian Food
      • Favorite Ice Cream:
        Caramel Cone
      • Favorite Season:
        Summer
      • Hometown:
        Johannesburg
      • Pets:
        A goldfish named Amelia
      • Hobbies:
        Gardening, Reading, Exploring new places, Journaling
      • Family:
        Married with one son and one daughter
    • Tracy Bramwell
      Assistant Teacher, MWF 3-Year-Olds

      Tracy Bramwell

      Assistant Teacher, MWF 3-Year-Olds

      Tracy vegan 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:
        24 Years
      • Favorite Color:
        Blue
      • Favorite Children’s Book:
        Ira Sleeps
      • Favorite Food:
        Peaches
      • Favorite Ice Cream:
        Peanut Butter
      • Favorite Season:
        Summer
      • Hometown:
        Avon, Ohio
      • Hobbies:
        Jigsaw Puzzles, Reading
      • Family:
        Married
First Trinity Preschool is a ministry of First Trinity Lutheran Church.