Lavender & Rose
3 Years to 5 Years Old
PLAY IS SERIOUS LEARNING
Growing Together, at Their Own Pace
Our preschool program recognizes that a child who has just entered preschool and a child preparing for kindergarten have very different needs.
Rather than expecting every child to learn in exactly the same way, we provide opportunities that grow with them.
Our younger preschoolers are building the foundations of independence, communication, social interaction, and early academic learning.
Children are supported as they learn to:
Follow classroom routines
Communicate their needs
Participate in group experiences
Develop self-help skills
Build relationships with peers
Practice problem-solving
Explore early literacy and mathematics
Develop fine and gross motor skills
Make choices and express their ideas
Learning happens through play, movement, hands-on experiences, conversation, exploration, and intentional activities.
We give children the time and support they need to become comfortable in their new level of independence while continuing to nurture the wonder and curiosity that define early childhood.
As children grow, their experiences become increasingly complex.
Our older preschoolers are given more opportunities to take leadership, solve problems, work collaboratively, communicate their ideas, and explore foundational academic concepts.
Children engage with:
Early literacy and writing
Numbers and mathematical concepts
Science and discovery
Problem-solving
Creative expression
Social-emotional learning
Group projects
Nature-based experiences
Self-help and classroom responsibilities
Increasingly independent work and play
We encourage children to ask questions, make predictions, test ideas, and find solutions rather than simply providing them with answers.
We want children to become thinkers, not just task-completers.
Our full-day preschool program supports children from
2 years 9 months through 5 years old in a nurturing, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environment.
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While age is an important consideration, we don't believe a birthday automatically determines readiness.
Children as young as 2 years 9 months may join our preschool classroom when they demonstrate the developmental and early academic readiness to participate successfully in the preschool environment.
Our educators consider each child's individual development, independence, communication, social skills, and emerging academic abilities when determining whether the preschool classroom is the right fit.
Every child develops differently.
Readiness matters more than a number.
Preparing for Kindergarten Without Rushing Childhood
Being ready for kindergarten means more than knowing letters and numbers.
A child also needs to be able to communicate, participate in a group, manage emotions, navigate relationships, follow routines, solve problems, care for their belongings, and approach something challenging with confidence.Our preschool program intentionally supports all of these areas.We want children to leave Valley with:Confidence to try.Independence to participate.Communication skills to express themselves.Social skills to build relationships.Problem-solving skills to navigate challenges.Curiosity to keep asking questions.And a genuine love of learning.We aren't trying to make preschool feel like elementary school.We are creating a bridge between early childhood and what comes next.Children are given opportunities to grow academically, socially, emotionally, physically, and independently—while still having plenty of time to play, explore, create, move, imagine, and simply be children.
Some children are ready for preschool at 2 years 9 months.
Others need more time.
Neither is better.
Our educators work with families to determine when a child is ready to make the transition into the preschool environment.
We meet children where they are, and then help them discover where they can go next.
