Sunflower Preschool

Although we are Montessori-based, we also incorporate National Academy of Early Childhood Programs (NAEYC) educational philosophies concerning developmentally appropriate learning environments. The classroom is designed to meet the needs of the children’s sensitive periods of learning. The children are encouraged to choose work and activities that interest them from a wide range of materials throughout the classroom and outdoor learning centers. As the children make their choices in our carefully prepared multi-sensory environment, they develop intellectual, emotional, and social skills, as well as a positive self-image.

Our role as teachers is to provide a rich and stimulating environment in which the children may choose work freely and individually. Additionally, teachers facilitate interaction between the children and the environment. Utilizing the children’s self-motivation, we challenge them further in the areas of their special interest. We do not push the children, but rather provide the setting so that they may learn freely in their unique way at their own pace.

Sunflower Preschool is structured so that the children have extended periods of time to choose activities and pursue their interests from our varied learning centers. Our centers focus on writing, language, math, practical life, art, and dramatic play. We also offer a block area with creative play choices (‘props’) and manipulatives and a unique hands-on children’s science museum with a rich collection of fossils and found items. We incorporate a science-oriented theme curriculum into the classrooms. The children thrive on this interactive theme curriculum which is incorporated throughout the classrooms and throughout the school year. Our science oriented themes can include: space and our solar system, oceans and ocean animals, dinosaurs, insects and bugs, and native plants and animals.

Over the years at Sunflower we have found that children learn best in an environment where creative and dramatic play is encouraged. We promote this type of play, as it is crucial that young children are given the opportunity to re-enact the life they see around them. The children thrive in this creative play as they explore the rotating props we provide in our numerous dramatic play areas. These areas include the indoor climber as well as the Arapahoe tipi, cottage, and the puppet theater outside.

The practical life area is an original Montessori idea where children learn every day skills through hands-on exploration. At Sunflower we present practical life in a way that promotes our themes as well as challenges the children’s hand-eye coordination, sense of order, and small motor skills. For example, during the summer months the practical life area is the Sunflower farmer’s market, full of Sunflower grown produce to “buy and sell”.

There are daily times for group activities such as yoga, music, stories, group presentations and show and tell. We utilize our outdoor deck, yard, and varied gardens as an additional classroom as well. Extended periods of outside time are an integral part of our program.

We feel that spontaneous self-initiated play choices are the child’s natural way of making sense of the world- and that all creative play choices offered at Sunflower are equal in their educational value.

Child Ages:

2.5 years - 6 years

Rates:

$$$

Licenses & Accreditations:

Colorado Department of Human Services

Preschool:

Yes

Hours of Operation:

Monday Friday 8:30am-3:30pm