Our philosophy

As children grow and evolve, so do the best methods for connecting with them. No one-size-fits all philosophy serves every unique child, learning style, or stage of development. We draw from a variety of educational techniques and current research, all geared to cultivating self-confident, creative, collaborative, and joyful learners:

Teacher as bridge to the outside world Based on the work of Erik Erikson, it is essential for children to feel secure in attaching to adults outside of the home in order for them to develop a sense of self.

Play-based learning Through play comes a world of discovery and the foundation for a life-long love of learning. 

Predictability and simplicity From a predictable schedule and simple class environment comes comfort and confidence —  and from this, resilience and creativity.

Embrace change and transition Teaching children at an early age how to adapt to, and ultimately welcome, change is one of the greatest gifts adults can share. Our three separate campuses allow children to embrace new experiences and prepare for the transition to kindergarten.

Process over product We focus on the intrinsic joy of discovery over extrinsic praise. This is the basis for intellectual confidence and creative risk taking.

The power of art Art provides a medium for children to express feelings, tell stories, and assert their individuality. While our art program employs sophisticated materials like canvases and ceramics, children are often more inventive with things like recycled materials and found objects.

Individualized attention Every child will flourish if given careful attention and listening, and if met wherever they may be along their individual path..

Exposure to a wide range of interests We help children discover a world of ideas. Teachers creatively incorporate hands-on lessons in addition to weekly specialists in music, art, and movement.

Respect and empathy Children are treated with respect as valuable members of our community. Creative conflict resolution, sharing, and positive emotional communication with peers are facilitated by teachers who help each child navigate social experiences.

Love for nature We spend significant time outside (even in the rain), exploring the textural sensations of the natural world. This helps build healthy bodies, a love of the outdoors, a sense of wonder and respect for nature, and ultimately, environmental stewardship. 

Diversity and tolerance Our preschool curriculum, community celebrations, and outreach activities recognize cultural diversity and focus on the similarities and differences among people in open-hearted, open-minded ways.

Nurturing the whole family Parents are a fundamental piece of our whole-child focus. Family-teacher partnerships and fun family activities help to cultivate a positive experience for everyone.

Our staff

Our greatest strength lies in our teachers, many of whom have been with us for 10 years or more. 

Our teachers have deep expertise in early childhood education, but most importantly, they are attentive, warm, and nurturing. They love children and are passionate about what they do, every day. They actively engage with children in child-directed play, care-giving, and teacher-inspired activities within a predictable and stable daily schedule.

As the school’s most valuable asset, staff is supported in their continuing education to stay up to date with the latest in preschool curriculum and early childhood education research. Our teachers reflect our diverse community, providing meaningful learning opportunities for children.

Letter from Kim

When I began working as an assistant teacher at The First School in 1988, I knew I’d found my dream job. Walking into Ocean Park that first day, I felt incredible respect for each child. I never dreamed that one day I would be director!

We have designed The First School preschool curriculum and campus progression so that it evolves from nurturing a child’s emerging autonomy to promoting initiative and accomplishment, and we hope our love and nurturing are felt in everything we do. 

Throughout the preschool experience, we support play as the heart of our program.  We believe that play activities foster a child’s natural inclination to develop the primary building blocks for all future learning; motivation, initiative, curiosity, exploration, persistence and skill mastery. 

Within the structure of a predictable and consistent school day, our teachers focus on facilitating problem solving, encouraging creativity, providing developmentally appropriate activities, and promoting social skills.

At The First School, we respect each child’s individual needs and unique abilities.  Our goal is to help children build upon their inner resources and to enable them to grow to meet the challenges and joys of life with confidence and flexibility.

We feel fortunate to have the opportunity to share these special years with your family.

Sincerely,