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PRESCHOOL

About the Preschool

Friendship Presbyterian Church began a day school in 1966 with 15 children as a way to minister to the community. Knowing that an early educational start can have great impact all through a child’s life, the day school is still going strong with over 100 children in our most recent school year.

It is the philosophy of Friendship Preschool that early childhood should be a time of fun, warmth, security, exploration, and discovery. Preschool children are creative and receptive; the program strives to nurture and encourage these qualities in its students. The preschool’s primary purpose is to provide an atmosphere that encourages social, emotional, physical and intellectual growth and development of the child. We also hope to nurture our students spiritually with a weekly chapel experience and blessings before snacks and meals. As God loves all of creation, we hope that each student at our school will experience the love of God while here at Friendship Preschool.

For a fun virtual tour of the Friendship Preschool, click here: Friendship Preschool Virtual Tour


Classes

Friendship Preschool enrollees are assigned to specific age groups that meet on designated days. The preschool day begins at 9 a.m. and ends at noon. Early drop-off or Lunch Bunch times are available.   Our classes are as follows:

  •    First Friends (18 months-2 years): M/W or T/TH
  •    Two year olds: Parents may choose a T/Th class, a MWF class or a M-F class
  •    Three year olds: Parents may choose a 3 day (M,T,W), a 4 day (M,T,W,Th) or a 5 day option (M-F)
  •    Pre-K: Parents may choose 4 day option (M,T,W,Th) or a 5 day option (M-F)

Tuition/Registration Fee

2024-2025 monthly tuition rates are:

  • 2 day program: $190/month
  • 3 day program: $250/month
  • 4 day program: $285/month
  • 5 day program: $310/month

Annual Registration Fee:  $150


Forms to Download

Download the 2023-24 Preschool Calendar

Download the 2024-2025 Registration Form 

Download the 2024-25 Preschool Calendar

For more information please contact the church office at 706-543-6077 or email us at [email protected]

For up to date information, please visit our Facebook page.


Staff

Our Teachers’ “Most Favorite Things” can be found here!

 


Susanne Hayes

Susanne Hayes

Preschool Director

I have worked at Friendship Presbyterian Preschool since 2011. I spent 6 years teaching in the 3 year old classroom and absolutely loved every minute of that experience. It is so much fun to see the excitement and wonder on a child’s face when they are exposed to new and exciting lessons at school. My husband and I moved with our two daughters to Oconee County eight years ago. My youngest daughter attended Friendship for Pre-K and that was when we fell in love with the school. We love this community and are so happy we get to call this wonderful place home.

Donna Rigsby

Preschool Administrator

I have served as Office Administrator for Friendship since 2007. I graduated from the University of Alabama-Huntsville with a B.S.B.A. in accounting and management information systems and worked with several accounting firms and non-profits before coming to Friendship. My husband Tom and I live in Jefferson and have 3 grown children and 2 grandchildren.  I enjoy crafting, reading, and hiking.

Caroline Hargrove

Lead Teacher – 5 day Pre-K

I have been teaching Pre-K at Friendship Preschool since 2017.  I am the proud mother of Emma, Helena, Cora and Houston. My teaching experience includes Middle School Math & Science, 2 year old Preschool and Preschool Music.  My husband Chad and I moved to Oconee County in 2011.  We live on a farm & enjoy raising goats, chickens, ducks & being outside!

Chris Burr

Chris Burr

Assistant Teacher – 5 Day Pre-K

I have worked in the Pre-K classroom at Friendship Preschool since February 2006. I live in Oconee County with my husband. We have four adult children who are all Oconee County School graduates.

Amber Delmarter

Lead Teacher – 4/5 Day Pre-K

I am originally from Jasper County, GA, but I relocated to Athens several years ago for university. I attended the University of GA twice for a Bachelor’s degree in Public Health and a Master’s degree in professional counseling. My love for children’s learning began when I volunteered to teach children in an after-school program nearby. My search for the best place to share knowledge with little ones is what led me to Friendship. In my spare time I enjoy watching television series, crocheting, playing with my cat, and spending time with my husband.

Salinda Rogers

Salinda Rogers

Assistant Teacher – 4/5 day Pre-K

This is my 11th year at Friendship Preschool. I have worked with the two’s and three’s prior to joining Pre-K. I was born and raised in Oconee County and I love to spend time with my family and children. I am mom to Lindsay, Marley, Luke and Parker. I have enjoyed getting to know so many wonderful families over the years. I have a wonderful job and I am privileged to have a job I look forward to coming to each day.

Anne Thomas

Lead Teacher – 5 Day 3’s

I am so happy to be a part of the Friendship family!  I love working with young children, their hearts and minds are so open and each day is a new adventure.  This is my 3rd year at Friendship and 13th year teaching preschool. I’ve also worked in special education, and as a nature center educator.  I’m a Dawg with a degree in Child Development and Early Childhood Education. My husband accepted his job in Watkinsville 20 years ago, and I’ve loved raising our son and 2 daughters here.

Diana Correa

Assistant Teacher – 5 Day 3’s

Born and raised in Miami, FL, I moved here in January. I have been working in schools for 3 years, but have been volunteering with children for over 10 years.

Jordyn Scriven

Lead Teacher – 3/4 Day 3’s

I recently moved to Athens, GA, in June of 2023. Previously, I attended Florida International University where I studied Rehabilitation and Recreational Therapy. I have a passion for helping others and teaching the next generation of children. I have seven plus years of childcare experience where I worked as an afterschool teacher for K-5 and SPED teaching assistant for Elementary and High School. I am excited for this new adventure at Friendship and cannot wait to meet my kiddos!

Tessa Edwards

Assistant Teacher – 3/4 Day 3’s

My husband Zach and I met in college at Purde University where I received my education degree. We have four sons – Beau, Crew, Knox and Gentry. We enjoy traveling, being at the lake, and playing games together. We are new to Oconee County but have fallen in love with the community here. I am excited to join the Friendship family this year and serve these wonderful families!

Sharlee Ritz

Lead Teacher – 5 Day 2’s

I’ve been a teacher at Friendship since 2018.  I’ve previously worked in a University Daycare, served in my church’s nursery, and had an in-home daycare for more that 15 years.  I love working with young children and watching their excitement as they explore the world around them.  My husband and I have four (grown) children and have lived in Oconee County for the past 13 years.

Laiza Balderas

Assistant Teacher – 5 Day 2’s

I started working with children 3 years ago and loved it. I love to see kids achieve new things. I am the oldest of 7! I love to spend time with my dogs and go on walks. I enjoy watching football and love going to games. I also, love going to the gym or on a shopping spree to Target. My guilty pleasure is coffee-I am obsessed with it!

Carole Bolden

Lead Teacher – 3 Day 2’s

I have been a teacher at Friendship since 2007.  I have a BS degree and a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education.  My husband, Steve, and I have 5 children and 8 grandchildren.  I love teaching my students that school is fun!

Debra Newman

Assistant Teacher – 3 Day 2’s

This is my first year at Friendship. I have been in education for over 25 years teaching all ages. Many of those years, I worked as a media specialist at Oconee County Elementary School. I retired in 2021. I am very excited about being a part of the Friendship family. I look forward to a fun year of teaching, exploring, creating and learning!

Catherine Thomas

Lead Teacher – 2 Day 2’s

Born and raised in Watkinsville, I stayed close to home and attended UGA.  I graduated with a degree in Special Education with an emphasis on birth-kindergarten, and I am fluent in sign language.  My husband, and I are avid Dawg fans, and we have 2 daughters, who also bleed red and black.  Our family of four loves to laugh together, adventure together, and most importantly show the love of Jesus together. 

Diana Bahnsen

Assistant Teacher – 2 Day 2’s

I have been married to my husband, Brett, for 5 years. We have a son named Briggs. We enjoy Georgia football, basketball and baseball (GO DAWGS). We also love traveling, going to the lake, water and snow skiing. Our family lived in Colorado for 3 years. We moved back (home) to Georgia in 2021 to be closer to family. We strive to glorify God in everything we do. I am excited to be joining the team at Friendship!

Rachael Laver

Lead Teacher – First Friends

This is my 3rd year at Friendship Preschool and I absolutely love it!  I have a degree in Elementary Education from Mississippi State University and taught 6th grade for 5 years.  Afterwards, I was blessed to be able to stay home and raise our 3 children, during which time I provided childcare in our home and served as a mom’s morning out coordinator for 2 years.  I have also served in the children’s program at our church for many years.  I have always loved working with children and have a passion for teaching!  

Dana Benning

Assistant Teacher – First Friends

I was born in Poway, CA. I have one sister and two brothers and grew up in Northern California. I went to Utah State University and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Interior Design with an emphasis in sales and marketing. I met my husband in California at a church beach activity and married in December 2005. We have 3 beautiful children – 2 girls in middle school who love volleyball and are almost as tall as me and a son in 3rd grade who loves basketball. My husband coaches Volleyball for UGA. We love Georgia!