Our Preschool Programs
Offered September through May
Our Seasonal Enrichment Programs
Offered at various times of year
Explorer Preschool is extremely proud to be accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) and a member of the Santa Clara Valley Council (SCVC) and the California Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools (CCPPNS). Guided by the California Preschool Learning Foundations, our classes provide a developmentally appropriate curriculum based on our child-centered, play-based philosophy.
Read more about the specific building blocks aspired to in each class in our Learning Continuum.
Together Time
Lead Teacher: Annie Deckert
Assistant Teacher: Paula Oakes
Date/Time: Tuesdays or Thursdays, 9:00 am to 10:30 am
Age: 12 to 24 months old by September 1st
In-Class Participation: This is a parent education program for parents and children to attend together.
Class Description: This once-a-week parent and me enrichment class offers a chance for bonding, community building, exploration, and learning for both you and your child. Your child will experience a fun, stimulating, and supportive environment designed with toddlers in mind full of art, manipulatives, music, and outdoor play; and you have the opportunity to increase your understanding of your own child's development through group discussions led by your knowledgeable and experienced teachers. Together Time families are exempt from general preschool family requirements.
MW 2's or Friday 2's
Teacher: Annie Deckert
Assistant Teacher: Paula Oakes (Fri 2’s only)
Date/Time (MW 2’s): Mondays and Wednesdays, 9:00 am to 11:00 am
Date/Time (Friday 2’s): Fridays, 9:00 am to 11:00 am (*)
Age: Two years old by September 1st
In-Class Participation: Approximately one day per week for MW 2's or two to three days per month for Friday 2's
Class Description: Explorer creates a developmentally appropriate program for our younger preschoolers, offering them hands-on, age-appropriate learning opportunities every day at school and fostering an early love for education. Children learn in a dedicated space for our two to three year olds that encourages imagination and thoughtful play. Our 2’s class curriculum and classroom setup encourage connection and independence to foster curiosity in how to express themselves, play, make social connections and learn at their own pace. This class introduces families to early writing skills and number concepts in a playful way.
* Our Friday 2’s class provides a lower parent obligation experience for families with multiple children, full-time working parents, or other schedules that prevent making our traditional cooperative experience workable. This class is an excellent introduction to co-op life and the Explorer community.
3's to 5's
Lead Teacher: Jenell Carroll
Assistant Teacher: Rima Ramchandra and Kathy Wingo
Date/Time (2 Day Option): Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 am to 11:30 am
Date/Time (4 Day Option): Monday through Thursday, 9:00 am to 11:30 am
Age: At least three years old by September 1st
In-Class Participation: Approximately two to four days per month, depending on your class option.
Field Trips: Approximately three per year
Class Description: Our multi-age class is designed for children ages three to five years old and draws upon the many benefits of mixed age learning. Younger children will have many opportunities to build their confidence, and enhance their communication and social skills; while older children benefit from opportunities to build their own sense of responsibility, independence, empathy, and leadership skills. This class consists of unstructured blocks of play opportunities including cooking, art, dramatic play, literacy, and science. In addition, children will engage in a daily small group time and closing circle that includes emergent literacy, dance, music, and social-emotional learning activities. Projects based on the children’s interests, such as woodworking and gardening, along with family-centered and age-appropriate cultural celebrations create an inclusive child-centered program where greater independence, cooperation, and confidence are fostered. This class may be repeated until a child is kindergarten eligible.
Pre-K
Lead Teacher: Rima Ramchandra
Assistant Teachers: Annie Deckert and Jenell Carroll
Date/Time: Monday through Thursday, 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm
Age: 4 years old by September 1st
In-Class Participation: Approximately one day per week
Field Trips: Approximately eight per year
Class Description: Explorer’s afternoon Pre-K class is our most unique and beloved class offering a mix of learning environments and focusing on pre-academic skills, positive self-esteem, and social-emotional skill building activities. The class begins and ends the school year learning onsite at Vasona Park where students dive into a variety of exciting outdoor science and nature-based activities. Children learn through hands-on and experiential activities such as creek and water exploration, free climbing, plant study, hiking, journaling, and more. During the winter months, the class is back at our main Explorer campus which provides opportunities for continued science study, hands-on math, and literacy development. The class is rounded out with creative dramatics, seasonal activities, and a variety of thoughtfully crafted and child-directed play-based explorations.
Lunch Bunch
Lunch bunch enrollment is released with the preschool application but may also occur throughout the year on a space available basis. Please email membership@explorerpreschool.org if you are interested in enrolling in lunch bunch after submitting your initial application.
Lead Teacher: Annie Dekert
Session Dates: End of October 2024 through end of April 2024*
Date/Time (2 Day Option): Any two days from Monday through Thursday, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Date/Time (4 Day Option): Monday through Thursday, 11:30 am to 12:30 pm
Age: At least 3 years old by September 1st plus concurrent enrollment in 3’s-5’s or PreK
In-Class Participation: Approximately one day per week (4-day option) or one day every 3 weeks (2-day option). Participation may change depending on enrollment, since a ratio of 5:1 must be maintained. All efforts will be made to align working parent shifts with a parent’s regularly scheduled class workday.
Class Description: Get ready for an exciting lunchtime adventure out on the big playground! Children in our 3's-5's and PreK classes are invited to join Teacher Annie for an extra hour of fun and social skill-building between Explorer’s morning and afternoon classes. Sharing a meal together in a different setting is the perfect way to extend the school day and having lunch at school offers more time with friends as well as increased opportunities to practice independent skills. Join Explorer’s Lunch Bunch and extend the magic of learning!
*The PreK class spends several weeks in fall and spring learning at our Vasona Park outdoor classroom. The Lunch Bunch program will kick off after the PreK class returns to our Booksin campus in October, and it will end once the class head back to Vasona at the end of April.
5's Club
5’s Club information is typically available in January, keep an eye on our website for specific class descriptions and registration information.
Lead Teacher: Jenell Carroll
Dates/Time: 8 class sessions; typically held on Fridays in Spring from 11:30am to 2:00pm
Age: 4-5 year olds who will be entering Kindergarten in the Fall
In-Class Participation: Approximately one day per eight class session
Class Description: Our 5’s Club is a seasonal stand-alone program designed for children who will be attending kindergarten in the fall. This program provides a bridge between preschool and kindergarten introducing children to the structure and rhythm of the classroom. Students begin their day socializing with friends while enjoying a packed lunch from home followed by group time and a station rotation of different activities. Over the course of the program, students will explore art, simple math, letter recognition, reading and comprehension, in addition to working on classroom skills such as taking turns and waiting in line.
Summer Camp
Summer Camp information is typically available in March, keep an eye on our website for specific class descriptions and registration information!
Teachers: Explorer Early Childhood Educators
Time: Offered seasonally in June
Age: Varies per camp
In-Class Participation: Varies per camp; typically one day per week for our younger campers and one to two days per 4 week session for our older campers
Class Description: Join us at Explorer for some summer fun in the sun! Camps are open to both new and current families and are arranged by age and developmental stage. Whether your child loves getting messy painting, dancing around to silly songs, or building towers–there will be something for everyone! Enjoy everything Explorer has to offer plus some extra sunshine and water play, new friends, and exciting themed activities.
