Preschool
Where the joy and curiosity of learning at La Scuola begins!
For our preschool students, the senses are everything! Our campus was designed very intentionally by renowned architect Michele Zini of ZPZ Partners in Modena, Italy who is world renowned for creating Reggio inspired schools and ateliers. Each space on campus sparks interest by intentionally igniting the senses with color, texture, movement, beauty and joy. Take a video or 3D virtual tour below.
The La Scuola preschool program is rooted in Reggio Emilia, an approach that emphasizes autonomy and collaboration as children build self-esteem and respect for one another in a play-based environment.
We believe that children are robust learners who actively construct theories about their world. They test their hypotheses through play and social interactions. In a small class setting (1:6 ratio) teachers offer materials to help children to develop a deep and connected understanding of the world. Art, music, drama and sculpture/construction are a part of every day at our preschool, as pre-academic skills are smoothly integrated into the children's play.
As an Italian immersion preschool, the family style lunch is a cornerstone of the La Scuola experience. Children enjoy the ritual of counting how many of their friends to set the table for and eating delicious meals together that are prepared for them by Mumsa Kitchen, a food and education company for schools in the Bay Area. This opportunity to enjoy the social skills and friendships that naturally develop in this context creates lifelong memories for our students.
Children also learn Italian through everyday interactions and play: Research shows that early childhood offers a unique opportunity to learn languages, as well as providing a critical foundation for all future development and learning. By exposing your child to a second language at an early age, you stimulate brain activity which can open doors of opportunity later in life. We don’t just teach Italian, we teach in Italian. Preschoolers enjoy learning the language through music, stories, playing and creating. Learn more about the benefits of Language Immersion here.
Schedule
We offer half day and full day options for our preschool students: See details below
Age 2- Piccoli (age 2 by September 1)
Age 3 - Grandi
Age 4 - Grandissimi - Pre-Kindergarten
*We also have a Spazio Gioco Playgroup for Age 2-3 (Info below)
Program Requirements:
Children need to be potty-trained to be in the Grandi and Grandissimi classes.
Children do not need to speak Italian to enroll at La Scuola. Most do not.
La Scuola is the only school in San Francisco to offer the International Baccalaureate™ Primary Years Program (from age 3-12). The IB is an internationally recognized educational framework that nurtures young students to think critically, care deeply and make a positive impact in the world.
Classroom |
Age |
Days |
Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Spazio Gioco Play Group Age 2 by September 1 |
2-3 years |
Mon & Wed and/or Tues & Thurs | 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm |
| Piccoli Age 2 by September 1 |
2-3 years | Mon-Fri (5 days) | 8:45 am – 12:45 pm or 5:30 pm |
| Grandi Age 3 by September 1, with a few Young Grandi places for children age 2.5 by Sep 1 |
3-4 years | Mon-Fri (5 days) | 8:30 am – 1:15 pm or 5:30 pm |
| Grandissimi-Pre K Age 4 by September 1 |
4-5 years | Mon-Fri (5 days) | 8:15 am – 1:30 pm or 5:30 pm |
Please submit an Online Inquiry Form, or check out our VISIT page for more info on upcoming Open Houses and Events.
Spazio Gioco
Our Spazio Gioco class is for children age 2 by September 1. *A parent or caregiver needs to stay with the child in Spazio Gioco until the child is 2 years old. Children need to be at least 2 years old to be dropped off at a licensed preschool.
2 - 3 years old (2 years old by September 1). There will be 2 Spazio Gioco groups and parents can register for the Monday & Wednesday or Tuesday & Thursday group. Both groups meet for 2 hours (on each day) from 3:30 - 5:30 pm. Space permitting, parents can also register for all 4 afternoons.
Spazio Gioco is a very flexible playgroup, designed to offer opportunities to explore interesting materials and relationships in an organized educational setting. Children learn best through discovery and active engagement. We work with children’s natural curiosity and creativity by providing stimulating activities and a variety of materials that appeal to all of their senses.
In the Spazio Gioco playgroup we especially focus on developing young children’s social skills and sense of self by building autonomy and peer relationships apart from parents, and encouraging them to build trusting relationships with their teacher.
Having a stable group of children who stay together throughout the year is the cornerstone of this goal because emotional security is fundamental for all other aspects of young children’s growth and development.
The Spazio Gioco playgroup is strongly characterized by our commitment to an Italian-immersion environment. We want to provide some hours of Italian immersion through singing and playing. La Scuola provides an opportunity for children to learn Italian in this way regardless of whether their parents speak Italian at home.
