Little Shepherd Lutheran Preschool

Little Shepherd Lutheran Preschool includes activities such as art, music, movement exploration, use of a library, story time, flannel board stories, poetry, dramatic play, and finger plays. Children take part in nature experiences, gardening, personal care, classroom cooking, meeting community helpers, using a playhouse, making new friends, and using manipulative toys to build eye-hand coordination and finger dexterity. The program also includes puzzles, block building, matching games, sensory awareness, indoor play, outdoor play, and chapel one morning each week for about 20 minutes with Elim's pastor and music director.

• Schedule: Chapel one morning each week for about 20 minutes

Little Shepherd Lutheran Preschool was established in 1983. The program is a nonprofit corporation and a ministry of Elim Lutheran Church, and it is an extension of the Elim Lutheran Church education program. The preschool is licensed by the State of California, Department of Social Services. Placement of each child is determined by age, maturity, and social adjustment. The program includes lots of free choice activities in the daily schedule and is open to all children. Little Shepherd Lutheran Preschool does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its education policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

The director, Melissa Burgess, has over 20 years of teaching experience at Little Shepherd Preschool, holds a Site Supervisor's Permit, and meets all state requirements. All teachers have met California State requirements. The leadership team lists Melissa Burgess as the director. The stated mission is to provide a loving Christian atmosphere in which the child can grow physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually, and to develop within each child a loving respect for each other and for the wonders of God's world.

Last updated March 28, 2026.