I don't think the person who told you that was purposely trying to mislead you. Perhaps what she meant was that they didn't have a set bible study time for the kids, but that the curriculum was secular. It could have been as simple as a few kids and teacher singing a fun little song (that they probably sing in the church) before eating their food as a childlike way to bless it. And you daughter just picked up on it.

@pp (not OP, as you said you wouldn't do this)

I would be livid if I, as a Christian, put my child in a Christian pre-k, and then another parent made them change their Christian song to appease one family who is not Christian. If I put my kid in a Muslim school, I wouldn't have a right to make them change their beliefs to fit my Christian views. If I put my kid in a Buddhist school, I wouldn't have the right to insist they change one of their daily activities or tell them not to talk about Buddha in front of my child. Why would it be acceptable for OP to insist they change the Jesus song? I really want to know your thinking on that. Because it seems super hypocritical to suggest that.

I wouldn't worry about it, she's got years and years to learn about other religions and choose which if any are suited for her. My parents weren't religious either, and had me in Catholic school k-8th grade, just because that was the best school in the area. I still didn't grow up to be catholic. I learned all the songs and went to church twice a week, had religion class daily, but it didn't make a difference.

Thank you Kayla. I must have misunderstood when asking about religion. I'm not going to take her away from all of her new friends where she is comfortable. I will have to get some books to educate on religion and how their are many different ones. Time to use this moment as an educational experience.

Don't discount daycare. The main reason for pre-k is to help kids learn to socialize and start learning letters, numbers, etc. Many daycare classes have a curriculum. If a bit of a learning environment and social interaction is what you're looking for, daycare could be a good choice. You'd have to check with each one to see what they offer children your child's age. Each center is different.

But since you have said you don't really have an issue with the Christian songs, none of this really matters and your kid can stay in the same school.

Uhm. It's in a church, ran by a church. I am guessing the director and board are members of the church.

I would expect some

Sort of religious teachings within the program.

We have daycare centers. Not pre k. I work part time and in the evening. There is no reason to send her to a daycare.

Sorry let me clarify. The only pre k in the area not affiliated with a church is head start. we make too much money for her to attend that program. I called the school district and they do not have a pre k program.

And I doubt all the schools offering pre-k are in churches. Some of the private ones will be, but anything state-funded would not be affiliated with religion. Unfortunately, if you're not low-income, your kid may not qualify for state-owned pre-k. Check the school district. My son's pre-k was in the elementary school and run by the school district.

Also, there are some daycare/schools that have pre-k classes and aren't affiliated with a religious org.

If I didn't want my child exposed to any church related activities etc I think common sense would be not to put them an a church pre k program. Pre k isn't mandatory, I'm also scratching my head that the only pre k there are church? We live in a super small town and have 9 pre k centers to choose from not including church based pre k

So can your lo say the pledge of allegiance? Because it's says under God. Just because a song or anything for the matter says God or God loves you does not make it religious. I think your over thinking a pre-k song.

I work at a church affiliated daycare and i agree they never should've told told you they don't do something if they do. However, yes, it is in fact part of a church so we say prayers before meals, sing & dance to children's bible school songs.. even the class curriculums has stuff related to God & Jesus. I'm sorry but that's pretty much a given if it has something to do with a church. I would pull her out and find a in home daycare if you have that much of a problem with it. In my opinion I think it's a wonderful thing that we have the ability to teach children in a way they understand about God.

That doesn't sound right. Perhaps you got confused. We've been looking at pre-k and private school and all schools affiliated with a church we have looked at have Bible study as part of the curriculum. It should be a given considering the school is affiliated with a religious org.

But that's neither here nor there. If you don't like the Christian element, the obvious solution is to find a new school.

I'm sure they meant they don't TEACH about the bible. It's a damn song.

who cares, its just a song.

im very spiritual and i believe in god but alot of the music i listen to says otherwise. just because you like a song or sing the song doesnt mean the song totally relates to your life.

its a church pre school.. what do you expect.

If you read the other comments I stated they told me they did not bring there religion into the classroom.

So you put your child in a school associated with a church, but your mad that they say a Christian song??

God forbid they try to teach your child love and other values.

Lol you're right they are doing a terrible injustice by having her sing about God. ?

Like I said, all of the other schools around me are affiliated with a church somehow. I would have to drive about 40 mins to another town to get her to a pre k not affiliated with a church and that's not feasible with a 3 month old.

I'm not going to ask for the song to be changed. Like I said, I was just taken back that I was told one thing then they did another. It's a song. DD hasn't said anything about them actually telling them about heaven and hèll or anything other than the song. I ask about school every day she goes.

I wouldn't even let my child go to a school affiliated with any religion. So to be honest, it's not surprisingly that it's happening. Not saying it's fair considering they said it wouldn't happen, but still..

Either pull her out and send her to a non-religious school, or ask for her to be excluded from any further religious talk.

I would be super annoyed. Especially since you were concerned enough to ask and they told you something different. It would be different if they sang about all religions and it was more educational, but I don't want someone teaching my children what to believe. I want them to decide for themselves once they are old enough to understand.

It would bother me too. I want to teach my child to be open about other religions for sure, but probably not that young. A song about God loving you and whatnot will bring up lots of questions and assumptions that the parents might not agree with teaching.

I'd go to the director and ask for the song to be changed to be honest.

Unfortunately you may have to just deal with it.

Risska that makes a lot of sense. I didn't think of that !

It sounds like she just didn't think about it. They probably sing many songs so maybe it slipped her mind. I would ask the person who told you that.

I can totally understand why you would be upset if they specifically told you that there would be no religious influence. From my experience going to a private religious school for elementary school, I can tell you that they probably just meant there isn't any curriculum dealing with God.if a church is any way involved with a school, it will be obvious in their "extras" like songs, crafts and things of that nature.

Otherwise I love her teachers, and the directors. She enjoys going to school. I was just taken back that they said one thing and did another. Thank you ladies. I appreciate all of your responses.

Since it is affiliated with the church, in spite of what you were told, I would expect influences from the church. If you do not want your child to be in a religious environment, maybe a secular school not afiliated in any way with any church would be the way to go

Liindsey she told me the class sings it before snack time

I can relate to your experience and reactions. I would agree with others - if they are a loving group of caregivers that you feel good about otherwise, I would not worry about it.

Perhaps find out what else there is for your own peace of mind, but at this age, it is all about the care your little one is receiving. A few references in prayers, stories, etc. are likely in this type of daycare.

How do you know the school taught it? Maybe one of her friends was singing and taught it to her?

I don't mind that they are singing about God. It's just that they said there wouldn't be any, and here they are singing about it. I'll ask if their is going to be any more songs about god. If so then I know, she loves school so I don't want to just pull her out. Time to head to the library

I think if your problem is she's only learning about one God it's time for you to start teaching her about others. I went to Catholic and Christian school my whole life. They are not goin to teach her about other God's because we don't believe in them. I'd have a talk with the school see what they teach about God or any songs/games they play. Then id go to the library and teach her about other religions.

I think the issue is that they said there wouldn't be any religious material, but now there has been. I would probably talk with the administrator and just clarify if there will be anymore religious items taught, so that you can be prepared.

It depends on the song. They may not teach any kind of doctrine to the kids. And the song may just be "God loves me" or down other rather generic message.

Ehh I'm not religious either and if I were in your situation, it wouldn't bother me. It's just a song.

I don't know the name of it. And DD doesn't know the whole song. Something along the lines of the lord is our savior he loves us. Then something about food. They make up a lot of the songs they sing. And they sing a lot of songs.

What song is it?

I'm more than happy for her to learn about other religions but they are only talking about one. I'm happy to teach her about it. But I don't think it's right they are doing this after I was told it was not going to be brought up in class.

@Stef not the only school around but all of them are within churches. This was the only one that didn't site religious views in the pre k. I specifically asked the director. She assured me that they do not teach about God or anyone else's God in the class.

You should take the issue to the person who assured you there would be no religious practises. If it's the only school around you can ask that she be exempt from the religious material.

I am a Roman Catholic, but if I was in your position I would be angry too. It's your right to believe and practise what you want and don't want to.

This is silly. They are a church pre-school. Maybe they misunderstood your question but I would absolutely assume a church daycare would sing songs and have lesson plans about God. If I was opposed to that for any reason, I wouldn't have even looked into the preschool from the get-go.

All we have around here is church affiliated schools for pre k.

No the part she sang doesn't say Jesus loves me. I know that, but when you ask if they will be singing anything like that and you are told no then they go and do it anyways I think it's wrong.

If you're not religious, why put your child in a church affiliated school? If it bothers you, simply switch schools.