Palisades Preschool is a Reggio inspired school community serving children, ages 2.9 to 6 years of age, and their families. The preschool originated as part of the Pacific Palisades Presbyterian Church located on Sunset Blvd. It was reborn as Palisades Preschool in the summer of '99 when a group of dedicated parents joined a director and a teaching staff they believed in and set out to open a new school.
Now, as a part of the Santa Monica palisades, the preschool is housed within St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Lincoln Blvd.
Now, as a part of the Santa Monica palisades, the preschool is housed within St. Paul's Lutheran Church on Lincoln Blvd.
Services
The regular preschool day begins at 8:45 a.m. and ends between 1:00 and 1:40 p.m. We also offer Stay & Play between 1:30 and 2:30 p.m. (Monday through Thursday) or children may be enrolled in one of our after school focus groups, organized in 10 week sessions. These small groups meet after school from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. as well (Monday through Thursday).
We believe that children learn by exploring and experiencing, by asking and discussing, and by reflecting upon and revisiting their experiences. This growth and learning process takes place with the support of caring adults and peers and within the context of a rich and interconnected system of child, family, and community.
The atelier was introduced by Loris Malaguzzi in the Reggio Emilia preschools along with a teacher with an art background. The atelier has a special driving energy, a creative potential, a special audacity in finding meaningful ideas, materials and techniques.
At Palisades Preschool we take advantage of the fact that the school's 1926 building is made up of numerous small spaces in addition to four classrooms, a beautiful outdoor play yard, a large "basement" space, and another additional studio space offered to the school.
At Palisades Preschool we take advantage of the fact that the school's 1926 building is made up of numerous small spaces in addition to four classrooms, a beautiful outdoor play yard, a large "basement" space, and another additional studio space offered to the school.
As a powerful, growth-promoting and essential experience in the world of young children, meaningful play constitutes the basis of our curriculum. Play based curriculum directly influences all areas of development by offering children opportunities for building relationships. Play gives children the freedom to imagine, to explore and to create.
Our toddler program philosophy recognizes children as competent learners and values their emotional, social and physical experiences. Inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach, the Explorations classes are centered around observation, free play and the wish to understand and appreciate each child's unique developmental achievements and challenges within the context of the toddler group.
Reviews (2)
Oliver Cornell
Dec 13, 2015
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My son's entire preschool experience was spent in the inspiring, thoughtful care of this fabulous preschool. He learned great empathy for his peers, and built a solid foundation of self-confidence and respect. He has gone on to explore the world with a sense of wonder and natural love for learning that was nurtured here and continues to serve him well. I always appreciated that he had high quality art materials to work with, interesting projects going (in and out of the classroom), and always under the guidance of high quality humans who were passionate about Reggio inspired education. (I learned
Disappointed Parent
Jul 21, 2014
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After paying the exorbitant amount of money charged by this school (for essentially half days), my child is behind every student the Kindergarten class in all basic requirements such as reading and writing.
The "alternative" teaching approach here is fine if you treat preschool like day care but it will not prepare your child for what's next on their learning path.
What a tremendous let down.
The "alternative" teaching approach here is fine if you treat preschool like day care but it will not prepare your child for what's next on their learning path.
What a tremendous let down.
