September 2026 – June 2027 Programs
Our preschool programs run from September to June. Registration opens to the public in February 2026. In the springtime we offer preschool preparation and orientation programs.
Contact us to be placed on our priority call list when registration opens.
Bears
🐞
Ladybugs
🐸
Frogs
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Bears 🐞 Ladybugs 🐸 Frogs 🐻
Bears
(3 year-olds)
Bears class can be the first solo experience for many children, therefore the primary focus of the ECEs is to provide a nurturing sense of well being and belonging as they build trust and relationship with your child. As the children engage with materials, play, and interact with their peers and other adults, they are supported in creating their own class community. Through the development of self regulation, cooperation, empathy, language, and communication skills, the Bears learn how to navigate friendship and expressing their own wants and needs.
The Bears’ daily program provides many opportunities for the children to build self-confidence and independence in foundational skills as they move through basic routines including group time, clean up, dressing, snack time, and toileting. Bears will have indoor and outdoor (rain or shine) play opportunities. Our program offers exploration of art materials, dramatic play, sensory experiences, blocks, puzzles, language and literature, music, and circle time, as well as a fantastic space for outdoor gross motor and exploration of nature.
Ladybugs
(4 year-olds)
Ladybugs is often the child’s second year at preschool. As they engage in play and explore their environment, they take the lead of the emergent curriculum while the ECEs support their interests with materials and learning opportunities. Through play, the children explore social boundaries, improve social competencies, find their place in a group, navigate friendships, take risks, learn from mistakes…figure out how to get their shovel back.
This is an indoor/outdoor program with a high focus on the outdoors. As in Bears, the program continues to offer exploration of art materials, dramatic play, sensory experiences, blocks, puzzles, language, literature, music, and circle time, as well as a fantastic space for outdoor gross motor and exploration of nature. We visit the local forest, playfield, pond, local parks, and community garden. The daily program provides many opportunities for the children to build self-confidence and independence, readying them for kindergarten, including basic routines of group time, clean up, dressing, snack time, respecting boundaries, and off property safety.
Frogs
(4 year-olds)
Frogs is an outdoor-focused program designed to give children plenty of opportunities to explore, move, create, and connect with nature. Most days, the program takes place entirely outdoors, with occasional opportunities for indoor play. Children enjoy our outdoor yard, which includes a playhouse, mud kitchen, covered sandbox, sheltered tent, climber, and a wide variety of fine and gross motor toys and equipment. The Frogs also venture beyond the preschool to explore the nearby forest, playfield, and community garden.
The program supports children in building confidence, independence, language, and social skills through play, exploration, and daily routines. Throughout the day, children practice important skills during group time, clean-up, dressing, snack time, respecting boundaries, and learning off-property safety.
Even while outdoors, the Frogs enjoy a rich variety of preschool experiences, including art, dramatic play, sensory activities, blocks, puzzles, stories and language, music, and circle time. With plenty of space to move, discover, and explore, the program offers a wonderful balance of creative learning, outdoor play, and connection with the natural world.
Open House
We love welcoming families into our preschool! Throughout the year, we host Open House events where prospective families and community members can explore our learning spaces, meet our educators, and experience our play-based environment firsthand. Drop by, say hello, and discover what makes Strawberry Vale Preschool such a special place to learn and grow.