Preschool Program Information

Our preschool classrooms are led by qualified, caring teachers and maintain a 1:8 adult-to-child ratio, ensuring each child receives individualized attention in a safe, nurturing, and supportive environment. All teachers hold a college degree and a Child Development Permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, along with strong expertise in early childhood development.

We are deeply committed to ongoing professional learning to ensure high-quality instruction for every child. Our staff regularly participates in training aligned with state preschool standards and current research, including child and brain development, inclusive practices, and social-emotional learning. This dedication ensures our educators are well prepared to meet the diverse needs of young children and to support their growth, confidence, and success.

At our preschool, we understand that big feelings are a natural and important part of early childhood development. Through our Love, Talk, Play approach, we thoughtfully support children in recognizing their emotions, expressing themselves in healthy ways, and learning developmentally appropriate strategies to manage those feelings.

Our focus is always on prevention and support. By building strong, nurturing relationships (Love), engaging children in meaningful conversations about their feelings and choices (Talk), and using play-based experiences to practice social and emotional skills (Play), we create environments where children feel safe, understood, and successful.

At times, a child may benefit from additional support as part of our multi-tiered system of support. When this happens, teachers use targeted strategies and will partner with you to share what approaches are working best for your child. If more intensive support is needed, families are invited to collaborate with us in thoughtfully developing an individualized behavior support plan that reflects their child’s unique strengths and needs.

We also proudly offer our Parent Implementation Program, led by our Mental Health Program Specialist. We believe that early learning and healthy development are strongest when families and educators work together. If you are experiencing ongoing behavioral challenges at home and would like to learn supportive, practical strategies, this program provides guidance, tools, and encouragement. Together, we partner to support your child’s growth, confidence, and well-being—every step of the way.

The Parent Implementation Program (PIP) is a free support program available to CVESD families with children ages three to six who may be experiencing mild to more significant behavioral challenges. We understand that big feelings are a normal part of early childhood, and PIP is designed to support both children and families in a caring, respectful, and encouraging environment.

PIP uses the Incredible Years® curriculum, a research-based and proven program that helps children learn about their emotions and develop healthy, age-appropriate coping skills for managing big feelings. All PIP staff are fully trained in Incredible Years.

Through developmentally appropriate, social-emotional learning experiences, we work together with children and their families to build skills, confidence, and understanding. Our goal is to strengthen positive relationships and support long-term success at home and school.

Teachers may refer children to PIP in partnership with families when additional support may be helpful. Families are always included in the process and supported every step of the way.

If you would like more information about the Parent Implementation Program or are interested in learning whether PIP may be a good fit for your child and family, we warmly invite you to call us at (619) 409-6604. We are happy to answer your questions and partner with you in supporting your child’s growth and well-being.

We adopted Pre-K On My Way as our curriculum, which is a research-based curriculum that provides various activities and techniques to enhance social skills, language development, and general problem-solving. The instructional program also follows the State of California's Preschool Transitional Kindergarten Learning Foundations and Emotional Development, Language and Literacy, English Language Development, Mathematics, Motor Skills, Science, and the Arts. Per Education Code requirements, childcare programs do not include religious instruction or worship.