Preschool Program
Preschool: Children ages 3 to 5 years
In our Preschool Program, children are immersed in a supportive environment where teamwork, empathy, respect, and a strong sense of community are at the heart of daily experiences. This is a year of growth where we encourage independence, foster autonomy, and nurture meaningful social connections.
Our Preschool Program is a warm, joyful space where children are supported as they learn through play, curiosity, and connection. With gentle guidance and meaningful relationships, children build the confidence and skills to carry them into their next chapter, feeling capable, connected, and cared for.
Our approach: Kindergarten readiness and enrichment
While our approach is rooted in play, we thoughtfully incorporate kindergarten readiness skills when developmentally appropriate. These include:
- Daily sign-in: Children preparing for transitional kindergarten (TK) or kindergarten will sign their names each morning, supporting letter formation, routine, and early literacy.
- Self-portraits: Every two months, children create a self-portrait. Families will receive the full collection at the end of the year—a beautiful reflection of growth and self-awareness.
- Raising a reader: In partnership with First 5 Santa Cruz, this program brings a rotating red book bag into your home weekly, encouraging family literacy and a love of books.
Self-help and independence: Daily routines and classroom activities are designed to build confidence, promote responsibility, and foster independence. Families are encouraged to continue supporting these skills at home to reinforce their child’s development.
Our curriculum
Our curriculum follows a play-based, emergent philosophical model. Play-based and emergent curriculum centers around children’s natural curiosity and interests, where learning emerges from children’s play and exploration. Through observation, teachers design activities following the children’s emerging interests. They respond to children’s spontaneous play to guide learning experiences.
Children can express their ideas and hypotheses in various ways, including art experience, writing, construction, music, and gardening. The larger the variety of ways children can express themselves, the deeper their understanding grows. At all times, each child’s developmental level, natural affinities, and family and home environment are considered.