Our School

Room to Grow Preschool is a place where children are encouraged to play, explore, and create freely both inside and outside. 

Like the Children's Schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy we view our classroom (indoor and outdoor) environments as the '3rd teacher'. Spaces are arranged to provoke curiosity, encourage exploration, discovery, and problem solving and to support creativity. Room to Grow is also influenced by the Nature Pedagogy of Dr. Claire Warden, which focuses on the importance of nature and the natural environment to the learning process. “It's about giving children an opportunity to learn in and with the natural world; inside the school, outside the classroom and into the wild beyond” (Claire Warden).

Inside

An area to explore the materials for creative expression - children use tools to work with paint, clay, wire, fabric and other materials.

An area to explore language, literacy, and writing -  children write mail, dictate stories, listen to and tell stories and explore puppetry and dramatics.

An area to explore the materials, tools and concepts of math and physical science 

An area to explore construction - children build and create with a variety of blocks and other materials

An area and opportunities to use imaginations and engage in pretend play

Outside

Water/Sand - an area and opportunities to explore the wonders of water, mud and sand.

The Garden - children help to plan, tend, harvest and prepare produce from the garden and to care for and gather eggs from our hens.

Opportunities to use developing motor skills and learn about acceptable risks - children run, climb, swing, jump and more as they create and participate in games of their own creation.

An area to explore tools and construction - building doesn't just happen inside with blocks, the workshop outside is a place to build with real tools.

and beyond

Outdoor weeks at Sycamore Grove Park - a place to learn in and from nature.