Sacred Heart Preschool is Kentucky’s only International Baccalaureate (IB) preschool and the joyful beginning of a Sacred Heart education. Through inquiry, purposeful play, and values that shape both heart and mind, our youngest learners grow into compassionate, curious, and confident students.
Dear Families,
Welcome to Sacred Heart Preschool, the only International Baccalaureate (IB) program for preschoolers in Kentucky, introducing and nurturing lifelong learning and respect for self and others.
At Sacred Heart Preschool, and across our campus, we believe education is more than lessons learned in the classroom. It is a journey of the whole person – an experience that forms the heart, deepens faith, and inspires even our youngest students to grow into the people God calls them to be. Rooted in our Catholic faith and the enduring legacy of the Ursuline Sisters of Louisville, we live out the Ursuline Core Values of reverence, service, leadership, and community each day. These values are more than words on a page – they are the heartbeat of our mission and the foundation of the relationships we build.
Here, your child will be known, cared for, and loved. They will thrive in a joyful, safe, and connected Sacred Heart community, providing them with the foundation
to become independent, lifelong learners. They will also experience God’s love through daily prayer, shared rituals, and community celebrations.
Through the IB Primary Years Programme, experienced teachers guide our preschool students to engage in hands-on experiences that ignite curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving skills. They build strong foundations in literacy, math, and handwriting, growing into compassionate and confident young students who are well-prepared for kindergarten.
We are deeply honored that you are considering Sacred Heart Schools for your child’s educational journey. It is a sacred trust to walk alongside families, and we would be truly blessed to welcome you into our community.
Together in Heart, Dr. Karen McNay, President, Sacred Heart Schools
Thank you for considering Sacred Heart Preschool. There is nothing quite like the innocence, pure joy, and wonder of a young child. I am honored to guide this beautiful community of young learners during such an important stage of their development and growth.
At SHP, we delight in teaching our youngest learners about the amazing world around us. We nurture their vibrant spirits and introduce them to the joy of learning, rooted in our Catholic, Ursuline Core Values. As the only International Baccalaureate (IB) program for preschoolers in Kentucky, we are dedicated to helping them become Compassionate, Curious, and Confident students.
Our SHP students are guided by teachers who care deeply and help them explore exciting new things
each day. Our team thoughtfully blends intentional instruction and purposeful play in a safe, imaginative, and inquiry-based environment where young children can thrive. Through the IB framework, we introduce them to lifelong skills like asking questions, solving problems, and reflecting on what they have discovered.
It is a true gift to partner with families during these foundational years. We hope you will experience the warmth, wonder, and purpose that make SHP such a special place.
With gratitude, Kim Washle, Director, Sacred Heart Preschool
SHP is Kentucky’s only International Baccalaureateauthorized preschool, helping children build the thinking, communication, and reflection skills they’ll carry for life.
Our students develop strong foundations in literacy, math, handwriting, and independence, supported by research-based tools like Heggerty Phonics and Handwriting Without Tears
Learning at SHP is hands-on, joyful, and intentional. Teachers guide purposeful play experiences that spark curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving.
From toddlers to Pre-K, every classroom builds on the one before. Shared routines, vertically aligned curriculum, and caring transitions help children grow with confidence.
Our students experience God’s love through daily prayer, shared rituals, and values lived out in age-appropriate ways. They participate in the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, a hands-on Montessori-based religious formation program for young students. Our Ursuline Core Values of reverence, service, leadership, and community guide all we do.
SHP is part of Sacred Heart Schools’ 48-acre campus, offering shared experiences like Book Buddies with Sacred Heart Model School, enrichment from Sacred Heart School for the Arts, and campus-wide traditions that build community.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is one of the most respected educational frameworks in the world. Sacred Heart Preschool leverages an IB framework and curriculum to teach children not just the facts, but also how to learn.
For toddlers, we thoughtfully introduce early elements of the IB approach through age-appropriate exploration, conversation, and purposeful play. Beginning at age 3, SHP students officially participate in the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), encouraging curiosity, reflection, and a love of learning.
Asking questions. Exploring ideas. Making connections.
From their earliest years, children are naturally curious. At SHP, we nurture that curiosity through inquirybased experiences that help them make sense of the world.
Our students learn to ask questions, explore new ideas, and reflect on what they’ve discovered. Teachers model how to think, listen, and grow through intentional, responsive instruction.
Pre-K students (ages 3–4) engage in the full IB PYP cycle of inquiry, action, and reflection, which fosters ownership of learning and builds confidence that lasts.
Learning isn’t just about what children know. It’s about how they think, ask questions, and make sense of the world around them. Through the IB Primary Years Programme (PYP), Sacred Heart Preschool students begin developing the habits of mind that support lifelong learning. These habits grow through everyday moments of guided play, connection, and discovery.
As part of the IB framework, preschool students at SHP begin developing five essential skill areas known as the Approaches to Learning. These foundational habits are gently woven into classroom routines, purposeful play, and reflection throughout the day:
Thinking
Children learn to make connections, solve problems, and think creatively as they explore new ideas through hands-on activities and guided conversations.
Communication
Through storytelling, show-and-tell, and group discussions, students practice expressing themselves clearly and listening with care.
Social
Collaborative play helps children build empathy, take turns, and learn how to work together with respect and kindness.
Daily routines, classroom jobs, and mindfulness activities help students develop focus, independence, and the ability to manage emotions and transitions.
Research
Even our youngest learners practice observing, asking questions, and investigating answers in ways that feel natural and fun.
Children who begin their IB journey at SHP benefit from a seamless experience that continues across Sacred Heart Schools. As students grow, so do their skills — from asking simple questions to exploring big ideas with confidence and purpose.
At Sacred Heart Preschool, every experience is designed to help students grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Through thoughtful instruction and joyful exploration, children build the skills they need to thrive in kindergarten and beyond.
Readiness at SHP means more than checking academic boxes. It includes strong literacy and math skills, the ability to follow routines, work independently, manage emotions, and collaborate with peers. Our students leave SHP confident, and excited for what comes next. They are well prepared for kindergarten and every step after.
This fun routine helps children hear and play with the sounds in language. These short, engaging lessons build the foundation for strong reading and listening skills.
The hands-on program teaches children how to form letters with confidence. Using music, movement, and multisensory tools, it builds fine motor strength and writing readiness.
Teachers observe what excites and engages each child, then use those interests to gently guide learning. Whether building letters out of clay, measuring ingredients in a pretend bakery, or solving a challenge with friends, students are constantly developing foundational skills. These play-based experiences introduce early literacy, math, science, and social development in ways that are natural, meaningful, and fun.
Our students also enjoy outdoor play and exploration, including buggy rides across campus for our youngest students, natural play areas that inspire creativity and imagination, and formal play spaces like the Elizabeth Campbell Moir ’07 Outdoor Playspace for our Pre-K students, offering opportunities for running, jumping, climbing, crawling, digging, biking, and creating together.
Toddler Education Program (Ages 1–2)
Our youngest students experience a gentle, nurturing introduction to school. Teachers support early routines, sensory exploration, and relationship building, laying the groundwork for confident transitions into the preschool years.
Each day at SHP follows a consistent rhythm that helps children feel secure and confident. While activities vary by age group, a typical day includes:
Morning prayer and welcome routines
Inquiry and play-based learning centers
Literacy and early math experiences
Outdoor and nature-based exploration
Morning snack and lunch in the classroom
Closing routines and transition to dismissal or extended care
Pre-Kindergarten Program (Ages 3–4)
For students in our 3s and 4s classrooms, learning is shaped by the International Baccalaureate (IB) Primary Years Programme. Children are encouraged to wonder, ask questions, and explore new ideas while building kindergarten readiness skills through inquiry, guided instruction, and purposeful play.
Families may choose from several flexible options to meet their needs:
Core Day: 8:30 AM –12:30 PM
Additional schedule options that may be added on to the core program.
Early Morning Care: 7:15 – 8:30 AM
School Day Program: 12:30 – 2:30 PM
After School Options: 2:30 – 4:30 PM or 2:30 – 5:30 PM
SHP operates on a 10-month academic year, with optional summer camp programming for June and July.
As part of Sacred Heart Schools, SHP students benefit from the people, places, and programs that make our 48-acre campus so special. Examples include:
• Enrichment opportunities from Sacred Heart School for the Arts
• Visits from Sacred Heart Academy Child Development students
• Weekly Catechesis of the Good Shepherd religion classes
• Book Buddies with older students from Sacred Heart Model School
• Shared campus, outdoor classrooms, and school-wide events that foster faith and community
Not familiar with the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd? Learn more!
The admissions process is simple and welcoming, designed to help families get to know our community and determine if Sacred Heart Preschool is the right fit. Tours are available throughout the year and are a great way to experience our classrooms, meet our teachers, and see our program in action.
Applications are accepted year-round, with enrollment occurring in January for the next academic year. Priority is given to siblings of current students, Sacred Heart Schools employees, and legacy families. Sacred Heart Preschool classrooms fill up quickly, so there may be a waitlist.
We’d love to meet your family and show you what makes Sacred Heart Preschool such a special place to begin. To schedule a tour or start your application, please contact the Sacred Heart Preschool Admissions Office:
Email: SHP-Admissions@shslou.org
Visit: shp.shslou.org/admissions