Our School

Philosophy

Play is the work of young children. Preschoolers construct their understanding of the world around them through active involvement with materials, peers, and adults. Through play, they discover, create, interact, imagine, and wonder. Using developmentally appropriate practice, we provide tools and experiences that build broad foundations for learning. Individual strengths, interests, and learning styles are addressed.  Our safe, nurturing environment allows children to grow and develop intellectually, emotionally, socially, physically, and creatively.

As a cooperative preschool, we believe that the most effective education results from a partnership between parents and teachers.  Parents are the primary educators of their children and are the experts on their children’s development. Parents and teachers work together in partnership to address the needs and holistic growth of each child so that learning is supported in the home and at school.

Available Classes

Preschool Classes

Our preschool classes are designed as a two year program. Children stay with the same class and the same teaching team for both years.

First Year Preschool Class:

Children in our first year class are 3 by December 1.  We have 16 children with two teachers in our first year class which meets 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays with an optional Book Club day on Fridays.

Second Year Preschool Class:

Children in our second year class are 4 by December 1.  In our second year class, there are 18 children with two teachers.  This class meet 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays with an optional Book Club day on Wednesdays.

Preschool Book Club

Book Club days (Wednesday for second year class children and Friday for first year class children) are also 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m. We can accommodate 10 children in each Book Club Class and it is only open to the children in the current preschool classes. Book Club teachers plan each week’s activities, based around a specific piece of children’s literature.

First Mates Class

We offer both Monday/Wednesday and  Tuesday/Thursday sections of our First Mates toddler classes.  Children must be 18 months old by September 1 of the year they enroll.  We have 8 children with two teachers in each of our First Mates class.  The hours for 2025-26 will be 8:30 – 12:00.

There is an option for toddlers in either section to add a third morning on Fridays.

Lunch Bunch

Lunch Bunch is available following our regular preschool day on Monday – Thursday 12:00 – 2:00 p.m. Children bring their own lunches. For Second Year class children, we offer additional planned science or art curriculum along with the lunch program on Tuesdays and Thursdays.