The San Anselmo Preschool Center is committed to the growth of each child in an emotionally supportive environment that encourages self-acceptance and self-exploration.We offer a program that blends teacher directed activities and self-initiated learning in a setting that includes art, music, dramatic play, pre-reading manipulatives, large motor activities, and “hands on” natural science. Children work together in mixed-aged groupings except for an hour long “group time” each morning and afternoon. At “group time” children are divided by age with one teacher for activities appropriate to their age and development.Parents are welcome to come and observe and meet with our staff at any time during the year.

Our philosophy respects the autonomy of the child in various different learning situations. Teachers are alert, and ready to protect, counsel and guide at the right moment. We believe that children can learn to work out problems and conflicts when given the opportunity.

Our emphasis is on the process more than the product of learning. It is our goal to plant within each child the seed of confidence that grows with every success in meeting a challenge. Through careful selection of learning materials, we hope to instill in our children the desire, the need, and the joy of learning.

We accept up to six children in diapers at a given time. Pull-ups are considered “diapers”. Potty-trained means wearing underpants with very few if any accidents.

Parent Participation

We require each family to perform 20 hours of work for the school year to keep school costs down and foster a sense of community. There are many ways to help:

• Driving on a field trip. If you drive a child besides your own, you will receive one hour of Parent Participation for every hour spent on the field trip. If you prefer to just drive your own child, you will receive .5 hours of Parent Participation for every hour spent on the field trip.
• Stuffing envelopes or writing thank you notes.
• Helping plan and organize school events.
• Serving on our Board of Directors. The Center is a program of and operates on property owned by the First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo. A volunteer Board ofDirectors, composed of parents of past and present students, church members, and members of the Ross Valley community, oversees the operations of the Center. The Board meets once a month.
• Helping any way you can. If you have special skills, let us know. If you see a problem that you can fix, let us know. In past years, parents helped by planting our garden, pouring cement to fix the puddle by the door, refurbishing our dollhouse, painting rooms, repairing faucets, building a new gate, building new benches around our tree in the courtyard, and writing this handbook.

For a list of suggestions check out information in our Parent Handbook.

The San Anselmo Preschool Center is located in the heart of San Anselmo at 121 Ross Avenue in the First Presbyterian Church complex. Our site is a spacious, sunny redwood building with an outdoor area for large motor development and a neighborhood rich in natural science adventures.

Please complete this form to request a tour.

When is my child too sick to come to school?

If your child is obviously sick, do not bring him or her to school. If your child has a very runny nose, a fever, or is unable to participate in the normal routine, we will call you to take him/her home.
• Vomiting; If your child vomits two or more times in 24 hours, keep him home.
• Rash, lice or nits; If your child has a body rash, especially with a fever or itching, has lice or nits, please keep him home.
• Diarrhea; If your child has three or more watery stools in 24 hours, keep him home.
• Eye infection; If your child has thick mucus or pus draining from the eye keep him home.
• Sore throat; If your child has a sore throat with a fever or swollen glands, keep him home.
• Not feeling well; If your child is unusually tired, pale, has a lack of appetite, acts confused or cranky, keep him home.
• Fever; If your child has a temperature of 100*(F) or more (taken under the arm) AND a sore throat, rash, vomiting, diarrhea, earache, or just not feeling good, keep him home.
– From the Child Care Health ConnectionsIf your child comes down with any contagious illnesses, such as flu, pink eye, strep throat, or chicken pox, please let the school know so that we can warn other parents.
If your child is staying home, please let us know.

When is a Child too Sick to Attend Child Care?

Will you accept children throughout the school year?

Yes, as space comes available we will add children from our waitlist to our program.

Can I visit or tour the preschool?

Pre-arranged tours are available on Thursday mornings at 9:30. Please click on “tour the preschool” for more information.