About Kensington Preschool

Our story, our people, our place

Everything you'd want to know before your first visit — where we come from, how families get involved, our church roots, and how to find us.

Since 1972

Purpose & History

A teacher reading a picture book to a joyful group of preschool children sitting on a classroom rug

The Preschool seeks to provide children with a creative growth experience and to support the activities of home and family. The program emphasizes the development of social living, creative experiences, and physical and emotional growth. Unlike many church-based preschools, Kensington Preschool models Christian behavior but does not teach religion in the classroom — children sing a simple nondenominational prayer before meals and enjoy occasional, interactive visits with the Pastor, rather than being schooled on Christian scripture or tradition. Values modeled include kindness, respect for peers and property, and honoring classroom rules.

The Preschool was started in 1972 by a member of the Kensington Community Church as an outreach to the greater community. At the time, there was a lack of quality preschools in the greater Kensington area, so our founder, Carolyn Davis, started the school as a service to the families of our neighborhood, drawing on the most up-to-date research and understanding of childhood development at the time. Under her leadership, KPS earned a reputation for exceptional quality, curriculum, and staff — nurturing children through play and experience, a legacy the school is still proud to carry today.

Following Carolyn's example, our teachers are selected for their ability to relate to young children and their education and experience in child development — all qualified to guide children through age-appropriate learning in a warm, loving environment. A ratio of no more than eight children to each teacher is maintained, sometimes fewer as is age-appropriate.

Curriculum

  • Based on monthly themes
  • Stimulates questions
  • Encourages discoveries
  • Actively involves the child

Play-Based Learning

  • Mastery of new skills
  • Intellectual growth
  • Social awareness
  • Emotional development
  • Large & small motor skills

Activities Include

  • Arts & crafts
  • Music & movement
  • Dramatic play
  • Language arts
  • Math & science readiness
  • Outdoor play & daily snack time
Better Together

Parent Involvement

We urge our parents to take an active role in the life of the preschool. We are better together, and your child's education will be the better for it. There are many ways to get involved, in small and big ways:

Grown Up & Still Grateful

Families remember KPS

What families say about their time here — including a few of our own alumni, then and now.

Are you a KPS alum or alum parent? We'd love to share your "Little | Grown" story!

Share Your Story

By submitting, you agree to let KPS publish your photos and story on our website and social media accounts.

Our Church Home

Kensington Community Church

An Open and Affirming congregation in the United Church of Christ, Kensington Community Church is a progressive Christian community in the heart of San Diego. We are a lively church filled with people of all generations, backgrounds, and folks who span the theological spectrum. We invite you to join us anytime for worship, mission, education, or fun as we strive to love God with all of our hearts, minds, and strength, and love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

To learn more about Kensington Community Church, visit kensingtonucc.com.

Kensington Community Church is a vibrant and inspiring place to believe, belong, and become. Wherever you are on life's journey, we welcome you to join us as we grow in the light of God.

— Mission Statement, Kensington Community Church
Kensington Community Church at dusk, showing the bell tower and the Good Shepherd stained glass window lit from within
Find Us

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Our campus is located at 4773 Marlborough Drive (92116) in the Kensington neighborhood of San Diego, right off the 15 and 8 freeways.

Parking is on the street. There is a drop-off zone in front of the church and handicapped parking on Alder Drive.

Also accessible by bus route 11.

Ready to see it in person?

Come tour our campus, meet the teachers, and see the classrooms where your child will grow.