As we face an uncertain future with the COVID-19 crisis and as our world goes through the progression from the industrial era to the computer age there is an anticipation that our society will face change, challenges and transitions. Here are some problems that families face today:

• Many families now face the reality that they may not be able to afford a traditional preschool, which makes our online class very attractive because it’s an affordable option.
• Parents now have tough decisions to make about whether or not they should enroll their child in a traditional preschool because of the spread of COVID-19 and the unpredictability of our world.
• Many children are immune compromised and parents are not comfortable sending their child to a traditional preschool making the online option a great alternative.

Why Selah Early Learning Academy and what’s the solution?
In lieu of the COVID-19 pandemic and the shelter in place directive, Selah jumped on the opportunity to create an online preschool. We used a marketing platform called Constant Contact to create lessons, using videos, pictures and instruction all in one form that can be emailed to your inbox three days a week. What we learned during this time was that this online platform was a valuable resource to parents and our preschool students continued to get the instruction they so desperately need to be ready to transition into Kindergarten. We not only were able to keep the preschool operating but we were able to do it with excellence which set us apart from other preschools in the Gallatin Valley. By continuing to provide both an online option and an at school option, parents now have more options on how their eschool child gets instructed.

Evolving World
Schools might still be in a paper-based analog world right now but our economy is definitely moving toward a digital platform whether people are ready for it or not. Selah Online is a wonderful opportunity to pioneer a new form of instruction and use technology to enter into a new paradigm. Parents and students have a chance to emerge stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic by having convenient access to a quality, Christ-centered, hands-on preschool education. Selah has a chance to remain a stable force in the preschool community by pivoting our message making it a wonderful opportunity for more preschool families to be involved.

Selah At School vs. Selah Online
Both classes with Selah At School and Selah Online will have the same values- a Christ-centered, hands-on education with a relational focus. They both will use the same curriculum, have a similar scope and sequence (studies) and the same standards.

Selah At School

• Traditional in-class preschool with face to face instruction
• Play-based learning
• Practice social/emotional skills with peers
• Hands-on education
• Build community/ make friends
• Weekly schedule with consistent routine
• Firm class time
• Less parent involvement with instruction
• Parent/Teacher conferences and teacher support
• Assessments twice a year

Selah Online

• Virtual preschool with face to face video instruction
• Practice social/emotional skills outside the classroom
• Hands-on education
• Build community/make friends through Google Classroom and Facebook
• Weekly schedule with consistent routine
• Flexible, convenient class time
• More parent involvement with instruction
• Virtual support from teachers