classes
PROGRAMS
Our Approach
The Reggio Emilia Educational Philosophy
The Reggio philosophy evolved from the unique cultural and social context alive in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Our goal is to adapt the core values found in their programs to fit our thriving community here in the East Bay of California.
Teachers utilize our environment by purposefully organizing and arranging materials so that the space is most conducive to learning.
Children use many languages to communicate and all are an insight into their current learning, growth, and understanding. Among these are language, art, and play.
Mixed Aged Classrooms
Ages 2 - 6 Years Old
Our school uses mixed-age groupings as recommended by numerous early childhood educators for myriad reasons that we believe all benefit your child deeply.
Some of those reasons are:
The groups mimic family and neighborhood groupings that have been the historical norm for socializing young children.
Development is stimulated as children see their friends working at various levels and are excited to push themselves to new levels (commonly known as the ‘zone of proximal development.’)
Development varies greatly in the early years, but in this setting children build self-esteem and confidence as they work at whatever level suits them personally.
We see both academic and social skills enhanced for all children as they teach and learn from each other.
Project Approach
What is Project-Based Learning?
It is a pedagogical approach that allows children to construct knowledge over time by working alongside peers and teachers.
Children's ideas, questions, and interests drive the development of the project, allowing them to have much-needed agency over their own learning.
The children engage in an in-depth study of a topic that is of particular interest to the group. During this time they will use a multifaceted approach that allows the child to utilize many areas of development while investigating the topic.
Schedules
We Accommodate a Variety of Scheduling Needs
Full Day
Tuesday/Thursday
Monday/Wednesday/Friday
+ Full-Week Options
Drop-off: 7am at earliest; Pick-Up by: 6pm
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Half Day
Tuesday/Thursday
Monday/Wednesday/Friday
+ Full-Week Options
Drop-off: 8:30am; Pick-Up by: 1pm
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Tuition Rates
Starting at $575/mo*
Before and aftercare tuition available upon request
Afternoon programs are available based on interest. Please inquire with our Director.
Curriculum
The Garden Community Preschool’s curriculum is intentionally planned on a weekly basis to include:
Various developmental milestones
Following the larger thread of the children's current project
Build on the child's innate love of learning
Ensure all students are prepared for the world of K-12 school that awaits them!
Meals & Snacks
School Provided Snacks + Parent Provided Meals
We serve two daily snacks. These snacks focus on kid-friendly, yet healthy, vegetarian options. We serve whole grains, fruits, and proteins with most snacks.
Milk is served on occasion and is always organic. All fruits on the 'dirty dozen' are organic. Please note that we are a nut-free school.
Sample Snacks Include:
Wheat Thins
Hummus
Watermelon
Whole Wheat Sunflower Butter and Jelly Sandwiches
Oranges
Our Community Garden
We have a community garden in our yard that students help maintain. They often enjoy snacks that they have grown themselves!
Additionally, children frequently participate in cooking projects (currently in an individual, COVID safe way) and taste what they have made.
Diversity
Anti-Bias Education Work
The Garden Community Preschool is shaped by a deep-seated belief in the importance of justice, the dream of each child being able to achieve all they are capable of. As such we weave anti-bias work into all parts of our curriculum, enrollment, and structures.
Cultural Infusion
In accordance with the above philosophy, we have implemented specific programs to infuse our curriculum with different cultures. We offer a Spanish immersion cooking class where children cook foods of various cultures, as well as multi-lingual immersion through books, songs, and daily interaction.
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