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 2025-2026 Registration Form
Download the 2024-2025 Registration Form
Download the 2025-2026 Preschool Calendar
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
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 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 adult children and 3 grandchildren. I enjoy reading, hiking, and spending time with my family.
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 and enjoy raising goats, chickens, ducks and being outside!
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.
Corrine Miner
Lead Teacher – 4/5 Day Pre-K
This is my first year teaching Pre-K at Friendship. I recently moved from Raleigh, NC, where I taught first grade. I have two sons, Elijah and Elliot
Salinda Rogers
Assistant Teacher – 4/5 Day Pre-K
I have been teaching at Friendship Preschool since 2009. I have worked with the 2’s and 3’s prior to joining Pre-K. I was born and raised in Oconee County and 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.
Abbygale Ray
Lead Teacher – 5 Day 3’s
I moved to Athens from McDonough. I have five younger siblings who I am very close with.
Alexandra Lazar
Assistant Teacher – 5 Day 3’s
I am going into my senior year at UGA studying education sciences. I have always been passionate about working with kids and cannot wait to make a career out of it!
Toni Thomas
Lead Teacher – 3/4 Day 3’s
I am a Georgia native but grew up in a military family so traveled a lot. I am Mom of 3 children and we are big sports fans-soccer and football. I have been a GA paraprofessional and experienced lead teacher. I enjoy traveling, reading, festivals and shopping. I also enjoy DIY projects, gardening and being creative. I learned ASL in elementary school and I am brushing up on that skill and teaching my daughter.
Catherine Phillips
Assistant Teacher – 3/4 Day 3’s
I graduated from The University of Georgia. I am married to my high school sweetheart and we have been together 18 years. We have three amazing children. I enjoy UGA football and going on adventures with my family. We just moved to Bishop from Monroe and are excited to make new memories here!
Sharlee Ritz
Lead Teacher – 5 Day 2’s
I have been a teacher at Friendship since 2018. I have 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 14 years.
Laiza Balderas
Assistant Teacher – 5 Day 2’s
I started working with children 4 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 10 grandchildren. I love teaching my students that school is fun!
Debra Newman
Assistant Teacher – 3 Day 2’s
I began teaching at Friendship in 2023. I have a BA in Art from Georgia Southern University and a MEd in Instructional Technology from the University of Georgia. I have enjoyed teaching children and adults of all ages for over 26 years. Many of those years, I worked as a Media Specialist at Oconee County Elementary School. My husband, Jack, and I have 3 sons. Being a part of the Friendship family has been one of the highlights of my career. I look forward to another 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 6 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 4th 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 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 who love volleyball and are almost as tall as me and a son who loves basketball. My husband coaches Volleyball for UGA. We love Georgia!