About Us
Philosophy
We are a child directed, play based program. Our philosophy is based on the idea that children develop best when provided with a variety of interesting choices, and then are allowed to linger and play with what they are interested in. We designed our classroom using the open structured nursery school model. In this curriculum structure, there is a block area, a playhouse area, a puzzle area, a book area, an art area, and a messy area with paints, play dough and other sensory activities. The children are free to wander from area to area, exploring and playing wherever they choose and staying there until they feel a sense of completion. We have optional projects always available. We mold our curriculum topics to the children’s interests by allowing them to help choose the themes that we explore. We tailor activities and projects to the individual developmental needs of each child. We also believe that nature is a secondary classroom, where children can develop fine and large motor skills by exploring, digging and climbing. Therefore we incorporate plenty of outdoor time, in the garden, at the park, and on regular field trips. We also provide personalized academics to help ensure each child is prepared for kindergarten, such drawing and writing projects, daily journaling, as well as science, math and cooking projects. We practice positive reinforcement and focus on emotional connections, and use a non-punitive teaching style. We strive to create long lasting connections with children and families. “It takes a village” and we want to be a central part of your community and always work to bring families together.
Our Program
- Hours: 8:00am-5:00pm
- Days: Monday-Friday (3,4, & 5 day options available)
- Ages: 3-5 year olds
- Group Size: 6-8 Kiddos
- Toilet Training: Completed (or almost)
We provide morning and afternoon snacks consisting of fresh fruits and veggies and whole grain cereal and crackers. We also provide hot lunch on Wednesdays. The children help us to create the menu each week, they are asked to include a main dish a veggie and a fruit. A popular example is homemade pizza (the kids help make) with steamed broccoli and fresh strawberries. Please inform us of any allergies or food restrictions your child has. Lunches (except Wednesdays) are proved by Parents.
Our Curriculum
Each week we offer a variety of group activities
for children to participate in. These include:
- Monday- Science, sensory, or cooking project.
- Tuesday- Walk to the park, library or a field trip.
- Wednesday- Hot lunch (children help create the menu and help cook)
- Thursday- Music class with Kristen Jones
- Friday- Yoga and movement class
We create a monthly Calendar for you to take home. This can provide a fun way for you and your child to look at what’s ahead at school and keep you up to date with what we’re learning and doing at school from day to day.
Meet the Team
Adam and Christina
Adam and Christina were both born and raised in San Francisco. Adam has been working with Children in a preschool setting for 20 years and was a lead teacher at Little Bear School for over 10 yrs. Christina has been working with children, mostly as a lead teacher in a Pre k classroom for 16 years also at Little Bear School. The school was located in the Mission district, then in the Excelsior district and lastly in the Ocean view district. During the pandemic Little Bear School shut its doors and we decided to convert part of our house into a preschool. We have lived in the Excelsior district since 2012 and in San Francisco all of our lives. We have been married since 2012 and have worked together at a preschool since 2005. We love the community that is created from working with families at a preschool and it has been the center of our lives for most of our adulthood. We both studied at CCSF where we have our certificates in Child Development.