Preschool

Academics

Preschool

Our preschool program serves children ages 2–4 in classrooms that are warm, nurturing, and filled with natural light. Children engage in hands-on learning experiences that spark curiosity, foster independence, encourage creativity, and support social-emotional growth. Each day also includes outdoor play and exploration on our campus, giving children the space to move, discover nature, and build connections with one another. We deeply value family partnership, working together to create a joyful and meaningful early learning journey.

Whole Child Learning

At The Co-op School, we embrace the whole child through play, exploration, and connection. Guided by the Reggio Emilia approach, we create a joyful community where curiosity is celebrated, creativity thrives, and every child feels safe, seen, and valued.

Social Emotional Learning

In our preschool classrooms, children are supported and encouraged through open-ended and free play. These moments help build essential social skills - like forming friendships, sharing, waiting their turn, and expressing themselves in a group. As children develop the ability to play independently and with others, they gain confidence, empathy, and a deeper sense of connection to their peers and environment.

Hands-on Exploration

In our preschool classrooms, the focus is on the process of learning rather than the final product. Teachers foster an environment of discovery, exploration, and appropriate risk-taking. They encourage children to reflect on experiences in age-appropriate ways. When children express interest - like memories of the beach - teachers create meaningful studies on sea animals, sand, water, and related topics.

See an example

Commitment to Inclusivity

Our program introduces young children to visionary leaders who show courage and resilience. Through books, art, songs, and conversations, students explore identity, justice, and empathy. They learn about change-makers seeing themselves reflected while discovering others’ experiences. This curriculum inspires critical thinking and encourages our learners to be thoughtful, inclusive members of their community.

Explore & Discover

Exploration is at the heart of our preschool experience. Children are invited to engage in enriching activities such as movement, yoga, art, music, science, dramatic play, block building, sensorial play, gardening, and library time. These hands-on experiences spark curiosity, inspire creativity, and nurture a lifelong love of learning from the very start. Learn more about our Specialized Classes here!

Art

We know that self expression and creativity are so important even to our youngest learners. This is why we are so intentional about providing daily opportunities for our preschoolers to explore with paint, markers, oil pastels, collaging and more. The art experiences may be a part of their daily free play options and can also be used to enhance many topics of conversation that are being talked about with the entire class. This allows for each individual student to stand out and develop their fine motor skills, while also encouraging collaboration and conversation for the group as a whole.

Movement

Our Movement Special is a joyful, high-energy experience that builds confidence, cooperation, gross motor skills and body awareness. Students gather in small and large groups for traditional activities like soccer and races, as well as invented games. This helps students understand safety, respect, cooperation, instructional language, and movement concepts. While learning choreographed movements, students are encouraged to have fun and stay engaged.

Music

Music is an energizing part of our daily routines. Every classroom teacher brings in music through many different experiences. This can be from classroom playlists that are compiled from the students favorite tracks, instrument introduction with tambourines, eggs shakers, and ukuleles as well as with fun rhyming and rhythmic songs that are sung at Circle Time. These songs build on verbal, social, and coordination skills – all while singing, dancing, and expressing ourselves! We also expose each class to a wonderful combination of yoga, movement and mindfulness that allows them to use their imagination to go on musical adventures, while including gross motor skills.

Science and Sensory Play

Giving our students the opportunity to explore and learn using all of their senses is an essential part of the school experience. We want every child to have a first hand experience with the basics of science and experimentation. With our hands-on approach each student will have the chance to learn about sinking and floating in the water table, see how mixing together special ingredients can make amazing play dough or even just get their hands dirty by scooping and dumping sand or soil into big pots. The options are endless and varied and are yet another dynamic way that learning takes place in every space and throughout the day.

Outdoor Play and Exploration

At our preschool, we prioritize daily outdoor time, embracing the mantra of dressing for the weather. Rain or shine, we venture outside, understanding the vital role nature plays in children’s development. Through recess and free play in the open air, young minds flourish, fostering creativity, social skills, and physical health. We encourage exploration, whether it’s jumping in puddles on rainy days or basking in the sun’s warmth. Outdoor play isn’t just a break from the classroom; it’s an essential component of holistic learning, nurturing a lifelong appreciation for the natural world.

More About Our Preschool Program

While each schedule is flexible depending on the students’ needs and the teachers’ goals, a typical morning includes free play and exploration, snack and circle time, and project work or a special class. After outdoor recess and storytime, students enjoy lunch, rest, afternoon activities, and closing circle conversation focusing on social-emotional learning. Sample Schedule here.

We offer full-day classes, five days a week for 2s, 3s, and 4s. Part-time schedules are two days or three days a week. Each class has two teachers and a thoughtfully considered class ratio following Department of Health requirements. Visit Admissions to learn more!

Our students’ parents and caregivers are essential Co-op community members. Our community is strong and vibrant because our families are active partners in learning. Whether they are chaperoning a field trip or visiting the class to share a part of their culture, a story or artifact, we welcome the collaboration!