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Electronic Tuition Payments
In order to cover our processing fees, an extra $5.00
should be added to your monthly tuition fee.
Class Information
3 YEAR-OLD
One class available:
Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays,
9am – 11:30am
4 YEAR-OLD PREK
One class 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 2025-2026 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
Our Story
For more than 48 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 by 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!
Kelsey Cunningham
Assistant Teacher
Miss Kelsey joined the Salem Lutheran Preschool team in 2024. She likes to see each child’s growth in both knowledge and socially that comes as a result from play and work in the classroom. Outside of the classroom, much of her time is spent at a hockey rink or football field with her husband and two boys. She and her youngest son are both alums of Salem Lutheran Preschool.
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