Preschool and Pre-K

THE VALLEY  WAY
Preschool and Pre-K at The Valley School are warm, play-based years where childhood leads and learning takes root.

 

Children move through imaginative play, stories and songs, hands-on projects, and generous outdoor time in our “second classroom” playground. The year is built around themes that children love, turning curiosity into early literacy and math skills. The weekly rhythm includes Specialist classes in Spanish, science, performing arts, and plenty of PE. Children benefit from both the play-focused curriculum and the opportunities to be a part of the larger school community for regular activities like All School Meeting and the Climate March.

Days feel home-like and adventurous. Children build, pretend, sing, and investigate indoors and outside while teachers surface early literacy and numeracy through projects kids love. The playground invites deep, focused play and big-muscle movement. Neighborhood walks and simple bus rides help the city feel friendly. Children finish the year confident, more verbal, and ready for what comes next.

PLAY BUILDS COMMUNICATION, CONFIDENCE, AND COMMUNITY
Unhurried play pairs with purposeful teaching. Daily read-alouds, rich conversation, and storytelling build vocabulary and a love of words. Children “author” labels, lists, and class messages that matter to them, like signs for a class store or a "missing" poster for a pet rock. Play spaces and materials spark problem-solving and social skills. In a close-knit class, children practice kindness, independence, and belonging.

Long, twice daily outdoor blocks help children sink into deep, focused play that supports self-regulation and resilience. During multiple P.E. classes each week, children practice balance, coordination, and teamwork. They learn to negotiate rules, include others, and resolve conflicts, and they carry these skills with them throughout school and life.