Ask us about our available spots (18mo-5yo)
Ask us about our available spots (18mo-5yo)

What sets Aspen Leaf Preschool apart

Small class sizes
& low student–teacher ratios

Small classes + low ratios = more individualized attention

Class of preschool children sitting and eating together

Continuity of care

We organize our classes by Kindergarten start date, so each class of children stays together through preschool, with the same teachers, then “graduate” on to Kindergarten at the same time.

Safe environments that engage and educate

Our indoor classrooms are designed to promote cooperative play and exploration. Each room contains a variety of learning centers where the children can build, play pretend, investigate science themes, make art, or read. At Aspen Leaf Preschool, we aim to create a calm and home-like atmosphere where children feel comfortable and safe. The child-friendly setup of our classrooms encourages independence and a hands-on approach to learning.
Child absorbed in play in classroom

Play-based learning

When children play, they are learning about the world around them. When they run, jump, and climb, they learn about spatial relationships and about their bodies. When they build, children engage in mathematical thinking and develop motor skills. When children participate in dramatic play, they are practicing abstract thinking and learning about the social interactions they observe. As they play with classmates, they learn important social skills and how to negotiate and communicate with peers and adults.
At Aspen Leaf Preschool, we ensure our students are prepared for Kindergarten, not through worksheets and homework, but through creative lessons and activities that feel like play, not work. A child who learns through play develops a love of learning and discovery that, properly nurtured, will serve them for the rest of their lives.
Photo of child-led classroom rules

Positive discipline

By the age of four, children from some families heard, on average, 560,000 fewer encouragements, and 124,000 more discouragements of his or her behavior than the average child of other families. This had a profound effect on the child academically and socially that lasted through their formal education and beyond.

At Aspen Leaf Preschool, we avoid discouragements and negative language and instead “re-direct and reinforce.” For example, if a child intentionally throws a book onto the floor, instead of saying “Don’t do that,” we identify and explain the incorrect action, and then re-direct the behavior by saying something like, “When you throw the book on the floor, it might get ripped. We have to treat our books gently and hold them nicely. If you would like to throw something, we can get out the balls or the bean bags.” Then, each time we observe the child reading the book nicely, we reinforce that appropriate behavior with specific praise and encouragement.

Emergent curriculum

At Aspen Leaf Preschool, we utilize an emergent curriculum, which structures lessons and activities around the children’s burgeoning interests. The children learn language, math, science, and social studies through a variety of activities that are centered around topics that “emerge” from observing the children.

Our experienced teachers observe and talk to the children in order to discern what they would like to learn. Once a topic is chosen, our teachers set up the learning environment to encourage exploration of the topic. Together with the children, they select and plan activities that revolve around the topic. These activities include number and letter games, art projects, field trips, and more.

In action

One morning, a teacher at Aspen Leaf noticed a small group of children building “rockets” in the block area. After quietly observing them for a few minutes, she asked where their rockets were going. They answered that the rockets were going to space. After several more questions, they informed the teacher that the rocket ship held astronauts and that space contains stars, planets, and a moon.

Later, at circle time, the teacher brought up the subject of rockets again. This time the whole class was involved in the discussion. After a few minutes, they started talking about what the astronauts would see and do in space. The children suggested that the astronauts would fly around and that they would come to Aspen Leaf. At this point, the teacher brought out the iPad and showed the children a video of a real spaceship taking off and another of astronauts walking on the moon.

For the next three weeks, all of the children were crazy about space. By observing the children during free play time and asking questions, the teacher was able to discover what the children were interested in. Once it was apparent that the children wanted to learn about space, she was able to guide them in their learning by offering books, songs, dramatic play opportunities, and projects on the topic of space.

Whole child development

We understand that each child is different and brings his or her own unique traits to the classroom, so we focus on each individual child to help promote emotional, social, physical, and cognitive development.

Self-sufficiency

Preschool-age children are beginning to transition towards greater self-sufficiency. It’s important to teach young children how to begin to care for themselves and others, and to begin to take on small responsibilities. For example, lunch and snack at Aspen Leaf Preschool are done “family style,” where the children take responsibility for setting the table, readying food, serving themselves, sharing, thanking each other, and cleaning up.

Family-teacher collaboration

At Aspen Leaf Preschool we understand how important it is for families to be actively involved in their children’s education. We also understand how important consistency and routines are to children. Families receive daily reports that include photos, videos, and messages. We conduct family-teacher conferences twice a year, where teachers share and discuss developmental reports developed individually for each child. We have regular family involvement events and activities and provide families opportunities to engage and connect in and out of the classroom.

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