Class Information

Now registering!

Salem Lutheran Preschool offers a half-day program that is designed to prepare children for kindergarten. Our curriculum is updated annually and incorporates reading, math, art, music, and large motor play. Monthly tuition begins at $135 per child.

Class Information

3 YEAR-OLD

Two classes available:

Mondays and Wednesdays,
9am -11:30am
Tuesdays and Thursdays,
9am – 11:30am

A three day option, which adds Fridays to either three year old class, is made available based upon interest.

4 YEAR-OLD PREK

Two classes available:

Monday – Thursday,
9am – 11:30am

Class Application

Limited spots are available in each class. Completed applications do not guarantee a spot in a particular class. Please contact our school directly to inquire about current openings available.

Click on the link below to download the Application for Admission. The Application Fee for the 2024-2025 school year is $40.00, and must be included with a completed application before it can be processed.

Application and fee may be sent to:

Salem Lutheran Preschool

Attn: Pam Machacek, Director of Preschool

1700 W. War Memorial Drive

Peoria, IL 61614

Salem Preschool Our Story

Our Story

For more than 45 years, our preschool has prepared children for kindergarten in a fun, loving, learning environment. We foster life-long learners while helping each child grow physically, emotionally, intellectually, socially, and spiritually.

We offer a half-day program that is designed to prepare the children for kindergarten. We incorporate math, art projects, music, and large motor play into our daily schedule. Our program is Christian-based and our goal is to always provide a loving atmosphere for your children to learn and grow.

Our Philosophy​

Our philosophy at Salem Lutheran Preschool is that each child is a unique gift from God with special abilities and talents. We try to foster these abilities and talents through play as well as academically getting them ready for kindergarten.

Playing alone can foster independence and self-confidence while playing with others can develop social skills, teamwork, negotiation and sharing.

Play is the foundation to learning life skills for children which is instrumental in their development and success later in life.

SALEM LUTHERAN PRESCHOOL STAFF

Pam Machacek

Director of Salem Lutheran Preschool

Pam has a bachelor’s degree in Child Development and Family Relations. She has been involved at Salem Lutheran Preschool for the last 30 years. She became the Director when her children were young, then five years later also took over as the Lead Teacher for the 3 year old classes. Pam truly enjoys this age group and one of her favorite things about preschool is being able to give the children a positive first experience with school not only be learning but also having a lot of fun along the way!

Cortney Rixner

Lead Teacher

Miss Cortney joined the teaching team at Salem Lutheran Preschool in 2017. She has been heading up the Pre-Kindergarten program for the past 4 years. She has a huge heart for championing the unique nature of each child, and a passion for meeting each child “right where they are” in the Preschool classroom. Cortney’s favorite thing about teaching Preschool is seeing the children’s faces light up with pride and joy as they learn new things. Cortney was born and raised in California but has found a happy home for herself here in the Midwest. Cortney and her husband, Matt, own and operate The Fox Pub and Café in North Peoria; they are blessed with amazing children: Kaiden (20), Kaylie (14) and Calum (10). In her free time, Cortney loves to drink coffee, do yoga, read a good book, enjoy the outdoors or, volunteer with the kids & youth ministry at her church.

Lisa Janco

Assistant Teacher

Miss Lisa lives in Peoria with her husband and their two
children that are 17 and 22. They are members of Salem Lutheran Church and she
started teaching at Salem Preschool in 2011. As a teacher in the 3 year old class she loves being a part of a child’s first school experience. Watching the children grow during the year always amazes her!

Brooke

Assistant Teacher

Miss Brooke joined the Salem Lutheran teaching family in 2022. Before that, she taught preschool in Iowa for 8 years. Her favorite thing about teaching preschool is seeing the world through the eyes of her students. Her youngest daughter also attends Salem Lutheran Preschool in the Pre-K program. Brooke and her husband have 4 girls who have enjoyed getting to know the Peoria area after moving here 2 years ago. In her free time, Miss Brooke likes to ride her bike, bake, read, and go boating with her family.