Preschool / Nursery School in San Francisco, California

Laurel Hill Nursery School, San Francisco:
Established in 1946 and set in the heart of San Francisco, Laurel Hill is the oldest parent-participation, cooperative private nursery school in San Francisco. Our philosophy is child-centered and is focused on building a child's self esteem through socialization and play. While there is no strict academic program at Laurel Hill, our children thrive in an environment that lets them learn organically. Laurel Hill is the largest co-op nursery school in the Bay Area, with approximately 80 families enrolled.

Nursery School Program:
Laurel Hill follows a child-centered philosophy of early childhood education. Children are allowed to learn through play and by exploring their environment at their own developmental pace. Organized activities are offered daily and children are free to participate in whichever activities they prefer. While children are assigned to a classroom as their base at school, they are free to roam about and take part in activities in any room they choose, or to play outside. The nursery programs are available for children who are between the ages of two years, nine months and five years of age. Each program maintains a ratio of one adult for every five children.

Pre-K Program:
Laurel Hill's Pre-K program is specifically designed for children who would benefit socially or physically by deferring kindergarten entrance. The program is located in a classroom built especially for the Pre-K in 1994. The ratio of adults to children in the Pre-K program is 1 to 5.

Our Pre-K curriculum is tailored to the needs of young five year olds while still adhering to our child-focused philosophy. Children in the Pre-K program participate in learning activities and projects over extended periods of time. The program helps the children develop more focus than our younger kids can handle and fosters independent problem solving. Special attention is paid to physical development, as well as acquisition of kindergarten readiness skills.

To create a stimulating and challenging climate in the nursery school, we have a wide variety of activities. We have stories old and new, music of all types to listen to, dance to and sing with, rhythm instruments to play. Within these media, we pass on some of our traditional heritage and lore to our children and expose them to the heritage and lore of others as well.

In the art and collage materials, blocks, nature forms, wheel toys and puzzles, our children are able to exercise their growing minds in problem solving of all kinds and explore the realms of balance, weight, color, form and order, cause and effect. Verbal activity, so impressive to adults, is only one of the criteria of mental development that we observe in young children. Our job in the nursery school is to present material for the child's mind to grapple with and to interpret and amplify when the child is ready and able to do so.

Extended Care:
Extended care is additional hours of childcare that families may elect to use for an additional fee. Extended care can be used occasionally or on a contracted basis, depending on the needs of the family. Contracted rates are considerably cheaper than the drop-in rates, as they allow for much easier scheduling for the school.