Our Approach

Our play is our work

Kensington Preschool focuses on "the whole child" — physical, mental, spiritual, social, and cognitive growth, all woven into a single day of play.

Physical

We provide a safe and secure environment, working on large motor skills daily in our outdoor play. Fine motor skills are used at our writing tables and in art projects; good hygiene and health are taught and stressed daily.

Mental

Children develop feelings of satisfaction in their competence at learning new skills. We build positive attitudes toward education, and help each child develop a growing sense of responsibility.

Spiritual

Love and respect for God, country, diverse beliefs, community, all people, the environment, and animals are reinforced throughout the preschool day.

Social

Negotiation skills, taking turns, sharing, working, building, and playing together, respect for others and their property, and awareness of one's own body and space are taught.

Cognitive — Math & Science

Through manipulative toys, science discovery tables, cooking experiences, gardening, sensory tubs, and circle time interaction, children build early math and science thinking.

An adult and a child playing together at a sensory discovery table with sand and construction toys
How We Teach

Curriculum & play-based learning

A child engaged in open-ended, play-based building at Kensington Preschool

Kensington Preschool offers a variety of classes depending on the age of your child — all considered Pre-K, from 2s through Transitional Kindergarten. Younger children have shorter segments of time and age-appropriate language; each classroom is designed to meet the needs of the age group it serves.

Curriculum

  • Built around monthly themes
  • Designed to stimulate questions
  • Encourages discoveries through developmentally appropriate interest areas
  • Covers math, science, art, literature, and family life
  • Enriched with hands-on experiences including science and nature, music and movement, Spanish vocabulary, gardening, and cooking

Play-Based Learning

  • Children master new skills through play
  • Grow intellectually at their own pace
  • Build social awareness with peers
  • Learn to handle their emotions
  • Practice negotiation skills — sharing isn't always easy!

We believe in "no fail." Every child brings home art daily — we focus on the process, not the product, working with a variety of tools and mediums. Just like the children themselves, no two works of art are ever alike.

Extending the Day

Beyond the classroom

A few ways families extend their child's day at KPS, for schedules that need a little more flexibility.

A joyful preschool-aged child playing on a slide at an outdoor playground

Morning Bunch

Adds a morning hour to your child's schedule. Kids are welcome to bring breakfast and join in class activities before school starts.

DaysMon – Fri
Hours8 – 9 AM
Price$8.50/hour

Lunch Bunch & Stay and Play

Extends the day by one or two hours. Kids share lunch with teachers and peers, practice manners, and get extra story time, music, or outdoor play.

DaysMon – Thu
Hours12 – 1 or 2 PM
Price$8.50/hour

Summer Program

Three weeks of summer fun right after preschool ends — arts and crafts, water play, pony rides and barnyard animal visits, dress-up days, and cooking.

Open toCurrent & grad. students
Length3 weeks

See our approach in action

The best way to understand our whole-child philosophy is to spend a morning in the classroom with us.