The Preschool Years
The Classic Preschool Experience
Two and three year olds are curious about everything. "Why?" becomes their favorite question. They're building complex block structures, creating elaborate stories, forming genuine friendships, and developing the social-emotional and cognitive skills that will serve them for life.
Our preschool program harnesses this natural curiosity through play-based learning. Children spend their days creating, exploring, questioning, and discovering. They're learning to navigate friendships, solve problems collaboratively, express themselves creatively, and build confidence in their growing capabilities.
While play is central, we're also introducing early literacy, math concepts, and scientific thinking, all embedded in activities that feel like pure fun. Children are learning their letters through name recognition and favorite stories, exploring numbers through cooking and building, and understanding cause and effect through experiments and outdoor exploration.
Our Preschool Approach
Child-Led, Teacher-Guided
Children choose activities based on their interests. Teachers observe, ask questions, add materials, and extend thinking—scaffolding deep learning through play.
Friendship & Collaboration
Supporting children as they learn to cooperate, negotiate, share ideas, and work together on projects. Building empathy and communication skills daily.
Inquiry & Investigation
Following children's questions into deeper exploration. If they're curious about shadows, we spend the week experimenting with light, reading books, and documenting discoveries.
Early Literacy Foundation
Letter recognition, phonemic awareness, and print concepts developed through name tags, labeling, storytelling, and books. Reading becomes meaningful and joyful.
Outdoor Learning Daily
Nature walks, park exploration, observing seasons, collecting treasures. The neighborhood is our extended classroom for scientific observation and gross motor development.
A Typical Preschool Day
Our preschool schedule provides consistent routines while allowing flexibility for deep dives into topics that capture children's imagination.
7:30 – 8:30 AM
Arrival & Center Opens
Greetings, breakfast for early arrivals. Children choose from blocks, art, dramatic play, books, puzzles. Teachers connect with families during drop-off.
8:30-9:00 AM
Morning Circle
Songs, calendar, weather, sharing time. Introducing the day's provocations and discussing any projects in progress. Building community and communication skills.
9:00-10:30 AM
Project Time & Small Groups
Extended play at learning centers. Teachers rotate through small groups for focused literacy, math, science, or art activities. Children work on ongoing projects.
10:30-11:30 AM
Outdoor Exploration
Park walks, playground time, nature observation, gross motor play. Running, climbing, collecting leaves, drawing with chalk, playing group games.
11:30 AM-12:15 PM
Lunch & Conversation
Family-style lunch with teachers. Practicing independence, manners, and conversation. Discussing favorites, asking questions, building vocabulary.
12:15 – 2:00 PM
Quiet Time & Rest
Stories, calm music, dim lights. Most children rest quietly on cots. Non-nappers do quiet activities—books, puzzles, drawing. Teachers prepare afternoon learning.
2:00 – 2:30 PM
Snack & Storytelling
Afternoon snack together. Interactive read-aloud with discussion, predictions, and connections to children's experiences.
2:30 – 4:30 PM
Afternoon Projects & Play
Continuation of morning projects or new provocations. Second outdoor time weather permitting. Music, movement, creative play. Tadpoles updates sent.
4:30-6:00 PM
Pickup & Reflection
Calmer activities as class size shrinks. Reflecting on the day together. Teachers share highlights with families. Daily summaries via Tadpoles.
Learning & Development Focus
Cognitive Growth
Problem-solving through puzzles and building. Cause-and-effect understanding. Early sorting, matching, counting. Memory and attention span development.
Language Explosion
Vocabulary expanding from 50 to 1000+ words. Two-word phrases to full sentences. Following multi-step directions. Asking "why?" constantly.
Physical Skills
Running, climbing, jumping with confidence. Improved balance and coordination. Fine motor skills—crayons, beads, zippers. Learning to use utensils effectively.
Social-Emotional
Parallel play evolving into cooperative play. Empathy emerging. Beginning to share and take turns. Identifying and expressing feelings with support.
Creativity
Imaginative play blossoming. Scribbling becomes purposeful drawing. Music and movement for expression. Dramatic play and storytelling.
Self-Care & Independence
Potty training with consistency and patience. Washing hands independently. Putting on shoes/coat with help. Feeding self with minimal mess.
Preschool Spaces & Learning Centers
Intentionally Designed Learning Centers
Dramatic Play Area: Kitchen, dress-up, dolls, props that change with children's interests (restaurant, doctor's office, etc.)
Block & Building Zone: Unit blocks, Legos, Magna-Tiles, loose parts for construction and engineering thinking
Art Studio: Open-ended materials, process art supplies, easels, clay, collage materials available daily
Literacy Corner: Leveled library, writing center with various papers and tools, listening station, name cards
Math & Manipulatives: Counting materials, pattern blocks, sorting games, puzzles increasing in complexity
Science & Discovery: Nature specimens, magnifying glasses, living plants, observation tools, experiment materials
Sensory Table: Rotating materials—water, sand, rice, foam—for tactile exploration and scientific inquiry
Cozy Spaces: Quiet nooks for reading, reflection, or just needing a break from group energy
Teachers Who Inspire Young Learners
Preschool teaching is an art. Our teachers balance honoring children's ideas with intentional skill-building, creating space for play while introducing academic concepts, and supporting social development while maintaining a joyful classroom community.
Early Childhood Specialists
Bachelor's degrees in early childhood education or related fields. Deep understanding of how preschoolers think, learn, and grow.
Skilled Facilitators
Know when to step in and when to step back. Ask questions that extend thinking. Create provocations that inspire investigation.
Intentional Documenters
Track developmental milestones, photograph learning moments, maintain portfolios. Share growth with families regularly.
Long-Term Relationships
Teachers stay for years, often following a cohort from toddler through Pre-K. Children experience continuity and deep trust.
Staying Connected Through Tadpoles
As a working parent, you want to feel connected to your child even when you can't be there. The Tadpoles app makes that possible with daily updates.
Learning Moments Captured
Photos and videos showing your child's work—block structures, art creations, scientific discoveries, collaborative projects with friends.
Project Documentation
Teachers share what children are investigating, questions they're asking, and how projects develop over days or weeks.
Skill Development Updates
Track developmental progress—first time writing their name, mastering scissors, solving a peer conflict independently.
Friendship Highlights
See who your child plays with, collaborates with, and is building relationships with. Understand their social world.
Direct Teacher Communication
Message teachers through the app with questions or share information from home. Two-way partnership all day.
Preschool Program FAQs
"Our son went from a quiet, cautious three-year-old to a confident, creative four-year-old who loves learning. He asks endless questions, tells elaborate stories, and can't wait to see his friends every day. The teachers nurture his curiosity while teaching him to read, count, and navigate friendships with kindness."
Sarah & David
Preschool Parents, Lincoln Park