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a Small Non-profit Neighborhood Preschool serving Seattle since 1965

The Children’s School

 
Interior shot of preschool, two children play with gears at a low table and a third plays with legos in the background

The Children’s School is a non-profit preschool that started in 1965. We believe learning and growths starts with connection and focus on building strong relationships: with ourselves, within our school and with our community.

Our preschool welcomes children 2.5 to 6 years old and we do not require children to be toilet trained. Classes run from 9am to 1pm with afternoon options through our sister program Bigleaf Afternoon Preschool Program. Our school year is 11 months, from September through the end of July.

 
 

Experienced teachers and small class sizes allow for child-led exploration. Our focus is on building the foundational social-emotional and problem-solving skills that will help our students succeed.

We cultivate an organizational culture that puts children, and families first, while supporting our teachers' professional development and well-being. One of our top goals as a non-profit is to provide fair wages and benefits, including health insurance, to our amazing teachers while keeping tuition costs reasonable.

 
 
 

Details

 

  • Hours: 9am - 1pm

  • Additional hours offered through Bigleaf Afternoon Preschool Program

  • Yearly schedule: 11 months, from September to the end of July

    • Our 2024/2025 school year ends June 18

    • We primarily follow the Seattle Public School’s calendar

  • Ages: all children must be at least 30 months old and no older than 6 by the first day of school.

  • We do not require children to be toilet trained.

  • We do not have facilities for children to nap.

  • Student-Teacher Ratio for all our classes is 7:1

  • All children bring a packed lunch from home and we provide a fresh snack (veggies/fruits/cheese/yogurt).

  • Weekly Schedule Options:

    • Everyone:
      5-day: Monday-Friday ($1,575 per month)
      4-day: Monday-Thursday ($1,275 per month)

    • 3 and under:
      3 day: Wednesday - Friday ($960 per month)
      2 day: Monday/Tuesday ($660 per month)

We believe children do best when they have a longer week to settle into the routine. We also believe preschool is an important part of development and know it can be hard for families to commit to a 4 or 5 day week, especially for your first year. Therefore, we offer options for 2 and 3 days a week to students 3 years and under. However, we encourage you to consider 4 or 5 days.

CURRICULUM

We use an emergent curriculum approach, flexible and responsive to children's interests and experiences, prioritizing young children’s right to play, self-expression and exploration. The role of the teacher in this approach is to spark children’s curiosity and sense of discovery.

Core curriculum areas (math, science, language & literacy, art, etc) as well as social-emotional learning are integrated throughout the day both explicitly in lessons and implicitly in the classroom environment for children to explore.

In addition to our core curriculum TCS hosts monthly enrichment classes with Teacher Moni for art and Teacher Cyd for Explore A Story (a movement based story time with acting and singing.

SISTER PROGRAM

Bigleaf Afternoon Preschool Program

Serving children ages 3-6 years old, 1:00-4:00 PM Monday-Friday

If you are interested in afternoon care, check out Bigleaf Afternoon Preschool Program, our sister program operating at the same location.

Parent Testimonials

TCS has been, by far, the best preschool experience our family has had. My first two children did not attend TCS, and I wish they had. The teachers provide a structured, loving and educationally rich environment that nurtures the whole child. I have total confidence that my son will be fully prepared academically, socially and emotionally for kindergarten and beyond. The quality of education cannot be beat, and I wish all children had an opportunity to learn and thrive at a preschool like TCS. 

— Gretchen DeSarno

Both my kids have been in The Children’s School. Great, caring teachers and very well managed. Good, regular communication with parents. Impressive and consistent response to Covid. Can’t recommend this preschool highly enough.

— Alan S, Yelp review

All 3 of our kids have attended TCS, with the first one, now 9, starting off at the original location in the Us District, and then continuing into the new locations in Green Lake. Great teachers, great director, and also great kids (and their parents). I feel our kids have gotten a great entry into school life at TCS, and I’ve enjoyed interacting with everyone each time I’ve dropped them off and picked them up. Our youngest one still has another 2 years left before big kid school!!

— Greg N, Google review