Program Approach
From the flow of the campuses to the pace of each day to classroom materials, every last detail of our programs is designed to meet children in a way that is appropriate for their specific age and stage. Children’s creativity and self-confidence flourish within a predictable and stable schedule and a simple physical environment. There are opportunities for both exploration and free play as well as engaging teacher-planned activities.
-
The First School is spread across three campuses, which allows for a smaller, more intimate environment focused on the developmental needs of each age group, while also providing families with access to the larger community. As they grow from year to year, children have the opportunity to practice transitions: they progress with the same group of classmates and one familiar teacher to the next campus. As the children evolve, the curriculum and physical environment take on a more emergent and child-led quality, while still providing the consistency and comfort of a familiar schedule and traditions. Parents find that this prepares their children for a much more seamless transition to kindergarten.
-
In addition to the art and movement activities that are part of each day, children participate in weekly art workshops and P.E. classes with enrichment program teachers. Within small art groups, they have the opportunity to work with mediums including clay, weaving, print-making, and collage. Many of these projects serve as mini art history lessons, teaching children about art from different cultures as well as notable artists from around the world. Their weekly P.E. class enhances gross motor skills and promotes hand-eye coordination, while increasing confidence in games. Students also practice conflict resolution through teamwork and cooperation. An optional gymnastics class is also available at each campus, which allows children to practice coordination, balance, and agility.
Our Programs
Toddler Group: 12+ months old and their parents*
Meets weekly in 90 minute sessions
*We love to get to know parents. That said, nannies, grandparents, and other caregivers are also welcome. We recognize and value the important role that these caregivers play in families' lives.
-
In each class, one group leader and two preschool teachers work with a small group of about 8-12 children to help articulate and narrate first experiences of play, socialization, and sensory exploration with the comfort of parents being nearby.
-
This class consists of indoor and outdoor play, snack, story time, and circle time for children. The group leader, a licensed PhD, facilitates a parent discussion and responds to questions about parenting and child development issues. Examples of topics range from preschool readiness, sibling relationships, limit-setting, transitions, sleep, socialization, language, and motor development.
-
Nestled within our Pine Street campus, the toddler group is designed for children as young as 12 months of age to begin the journey of becoming ready for preschool life. We offer fall, spring, winter, and summer sessions of our toddler program. Families may join mid-session if space is available.
Ocean Park: Preschool Year 1 for 2 year olds
Half Day
Monday – Friday 8:30 am- 12 pm
Early bird drop off available at 8 am
Full Day
Monday – Friday 8:30 am-2:30 pm
Early bird drop off available at 8 am
Extended day option until 4 pm, Monday-Thursday
LIC 197410050
-
Teachers focus on successful separation from parents and begin the formation of connection with teachers. The child's emotional needs are supported in order to foster a strong sense of self and comfort in a structured group environment. Each class has 2 teachers with 12-14 kids per class.
-
During the first preschool year, children begin to experience separation and form meaningful friendships. Small class sizes allow for teachers to closely support children and help them narrate and navigate their experiences — from big feelings to triumphs and everything in between. Students develop age-appropriate self-care habits and gain increasing confidence. They develop positive, trusting relationships with their teachers and peers, allowing them to reveal their unique sense of self while also fostering appreciation and respect for others.
-
Our cozy, minimal classrooms are designed to keep little minds at ease and spark their creativity. Simple environments encourage profound interactions and imaginative play. Similarly, the thoughtful layout of the play yard and structures are built entirely for small children to explore, climb, run, bike, and play.
Broadway: Preschool Year 2 for 3 to 4.5 year olds
Half Day
Monday – Friday 8:30 am- 12 pm
Early bird drop off available at 8 am
Full Day
Monday – Friday 8:30 am-2:30 pm
Early bird drop off available at 8 am
Extended day option until 4 pm, Monday-Thursday
LIC 197410049
-
Within a predictable routine, teachers provide support and encourage children to take more initiative to inquire, create, imagine, and collaborate. Each class has 2 teachers with 12-14 kids per class. Mindful of a child's response to change between campuses, a first-year Ocean Park teacher will follow the group to the Broadway campus.
-
Children in their second year of preschool are very social — full of curiosity about the world and other people. They are increasingly capable of expressing their needs, initiating ideas and activities, and communicating with and listening to others. Our second year curriculum mirrors this developmental evolution and supports the students’ developing maturity with project-based learning activities, science and art projects, drama, Spanish, ceramics, and more organized sports and games.
-
The physical space at Broadway both reflects and supports children’s growing development. As they become increasingly autonomous and curious learners, children are ready to take on more sophisticated materials and curriculum. A writing center, science center, dedicated art studio, and challenging rope swing are just a few of the new features for these students.
Pre-K / Transitional Kindergarten
Full Day
Monday – Friday 8:30 am-2:30 pm
Early bird drop off available at 8 am
Extended day option until 4 pm, Monday-Thursday
LIC 197410051
-
Teachers work closely with the children, listening to their interests and ideas, providing guidance and experiential learning activities. The work of this year is mostly project-based and child-led, but teacher supported and expanded. Teachers are extremely attentive to social-emotional issues to prepare children for the start of kindergarten. Each class has 2-3 teachers with an average of 18 kids per class.
-
At Pine Street, students are introduced to “Club Time” — hands on learning at its best. Children sign up for a topic they would like to learn more about and deeply explore that topic in smaller breakout-groups. These “Clubs” encourage them to work collaboratively, immersed for several weeks at a time on projects from the Galapagos Islands to Sign Language and Jazz to Human Anatomy. Academic skills such as pre-literacy and math are developed using manipulatives, music, games, journaling, and more.
-
The Pine Street campus is designed to provide gentle and incremental integration into a larger social environment, gently preparing children for the much bigger campuses and broader peer groups of kindergarten. Two play yards provide a beautiful flow between indoor and outdoor space, allowing much of the learning to take place outside.
-
We actively engage with parents throughout the kindergarten search and application process starting the spring before children are eligible to apply. Kim spends ample time in the classroom, getting to know each child and their style of learning so that she can provide feedback to families as they choose the next step in their education. She shares her deep knowledge of local elementary schools to help parents navigate this important decision. Each year, about half of our graduates attend local public schools and half attend private schools, including the following:
Brentwood
Carlthorp
Canyon Charter
Castle Heights
Charter
Complex/LAUSD
Curtis
Echo Horizon
El Marino
Franklin
Grant
John Thomas Dye
Kenter Canyon Charter
La Ballona
Mar Vista
Mirman
New Roads
Overland
P.S. #1
Roosevelt
Seven Arrows
SMASH
St. Paul’s
The Village School
The Willows
Turning Point
Walgrove
Warner
Westside Neighborhood School
Westwood Charter
Will Rogers
Our admission process, tour details and application