A wonderful opportunity to introduce toddlers and younger children to the joys of school and the world beyond family, our Toddler Program at TCS offers a warm and engaging first school experience built on hands-on, play-based exploration and cooperative learning. Grounded in respect, relationship-building, and self-expression, the program creates a joyful foundation for growth. With supportive teachers, predictable routines, and a nurturing environment, toddlers gain confidence, independence, and a strong sense of belonging.
To ensure a smooth transition, parents attend school with their child for the first five half-days of their child’s program. This gradual start helps toddlers become comfortable, build trust with teachers, and adjust at their own pace before moving into a drop-off model when developmentally ready. Because every child—and every family—is unique, some toddlers are ready for drop-off sooner while others need more time, and we honor these individual rhythms as we partner with families through the transition.
Throughout the school year, parents are also welcome to volunteer in the classroom, strengthening the home–school partnership. TCS teachers proudly support families during this critical stage of child development with guidance on growth, parenting strategies, potty training, positive behavior reinforcement, and more.
The Toddler Program is open to children who have reached 25 months by Sept. 1 of the year of entry. Classes meet two, three or five days a week, from 9am to 12pm for half-day students, and from 9am to 3pm for full-day students. Full-day students have a scheduled nap time in the afternoon. Toddler morning drop off begins at 8:30am.
We know children learn best by doing, so our play-based preschool classrooms are rich environments where students explore activity centers and develop emergent interests. Our program builds on the social and learning skills introduced during the toddler years. Experienced preschool teachers pay careful attention to the skills, knowledge and questions that each student brings to the classroom and explore letters, numbers, counting, music, art and writing and other subjects using a variety of materials through an emergent curriculum. Our collaborative learning strategies and personalized learning plans also focus on social growth through our Integrated Social Curriculum. Children learn how to confidently and independently solve problems, verbalize their feelings, respect themselves and others, and establish social relationships.
Preschool students at The Children’s School spend their days exploring our campus, inside and out. Group or individual centers (such as sensory exploration, science investigation, art, writing, reading, cooking, dramatic play) encourage collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving. Outside play periods are generally unstructured with children free to choose from engaging, age-appropriate activities including tricycling, digging in the sand, tire swinging, sliding, climbing, and water play. Full-day preschool students have a scheduled nap time in the afternoon.
Preschool classes are open to children who have reached their third birthday by Dec. 1 of the year of entry and are toilet trained. Classes meet two, three or five days a week, from 9am to 12pm for half-day students, and from 9am to 3pm for full-day students. Preschool morning drop off begins at 8:30am for both programs.
Our Prekindergarten Program continues to foster children’s learning and readies them for the adventure of kindergarten. We focus on offering greater age-appropriate responsibilities and challenges while continuing to support student learning through a hands-on, interdisciplinary curriculum. Personalized learning takes place through group projects, activity centers and one-to-one interactions with the teacher. We believe in setting individualized goals, identified for each student by their teacher, and differentiating learning.
Students continue to explore the classroom and expansive campus and grounds. They’re now ready to attend specialty classes in Spanish, library, physical education, art and music. A 45-minute rest period, called peaceful time, offers a break from all the fun and learning.
Prekindergarten classes are open to students who have reached their fourth birthday by Sept. 1 of the year of entry.
Classes are Monday through-Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
