Preschools in the Rochester Area
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Rochester KidsOutAndAbout Preschool Newsletter |
Dear KidsOutAndAbout readers:
Are you planning to have your children attend preschool this year? Or are you thinking about whether it's the best option for your family? Do you have a friend who is thinking about preschool for her kids? If any of these is true, this special annual edition of our newsletter is for YOU! We provide not only options for where to start your search in our area, but also some tips for what to
think about and what to look for as you start the process.
KidsOutAndAbout has a large list of local preschools that have posted to our site; this list is provided in the LISTS/Preschools & Childcare list linked from the
menu on every page of KidsOutAndAbout. In this newsletter, first, we have some featured preschools with descriptions of their programs. Next, we provide a list of links to some additional schools. And last, we provide tips for helping you evaluate preschools when you visit, to see if they are right for you.
Remember: SAVE THIS NEWSLETTER and forward it along! If you or one of your friends is in the market for a preschool, it's a handy
reference.
—Debra Ross, publisher |
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KidsOutAndAbout.com: Discover more. Do more. Connect more. |
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At Allendale Columbia School, we prepare students for the world they will inherit. In our trusting and responsive environment, students in nursery through grade 12 grow in confidence and develop scholastic independence. Together, our students and teachers imagine, design, and create in order to make a positive impact locally and globally. We focus on building foundational skills while providing real-world, authentic learning opportunities. We value and foster these core values: making connections that matter; mastering strategies for learning; inspiring curious and creative learners; sparking resilient spirits; and daring to take risks.
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Now registering for the 2026-27 school year! The Discovery Academy of Science & Art (DASA) Preschool is located at 597 East Ave. in Rochester. Students learn through play with our science, technology, engineering, art and math and inquiry-based curriculum, and can take advantage of our connections to local museums and cultural institutions. Teachers nurture the development of the whole child by providing a caring environment rich in discovery and imagination. Whether in the classroom, exploring local cultural institutions or the outdoors, DASA Preschool makes learning exciting and enriching, with impressions that last a lifetime. For details, visit www.dasapreschool.org. We offer a…
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The Eastman Community Music School is continuing their Summer Session offering of the Early Childhood program. The 5 weekly classes are 45 minutes each, and the student will be placed in either the 9 a.m., 10 a.m., or 11 a.m. slot for their age group. Parents will be notified of their child’s placement in the program (class time and location) via email on or before the Saturday prior to the start of the session. Please be sure to add earlychildhood@esm.rochester.edu to your approved senders list. Because there are a limited number of spaces in these classes, it is never too early to start summer planning—register today!
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Designed to meet the needs of growing toddlers as well as busy families, The Harley School's Nursery program for ages 3 and 4 engages children in a highly intentional way. By creating classroom environments filled with lively discussion, collaboration, social interaction, music and play, the wonder of learning is opened up for every child. To learn more, schedule your personal Google Meet by calling Renée Fishner at (585) 277-1113.
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Hillel Community Day School is a school where every Jewish student and family feels at home. We foster a warm and safe atmosphere where our students feel comfortable exploring their Jewish heritage and learning about their religion and culture. As a candidate school in the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (IB PYP), we provide a high-quality, comprehensive ducation from PreK through 8th Grade, promoting critical thinking skills, compassion, and a sense of inquiry. We emphasize a student-centered approach and a nurturing environment that will stimulate a lifelong love of learning. Join us if you are interested in a community where every student's unique journey is valued!
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Even 4 & 5 year olds can learn and benefit from karate training. Young chlidren need to learn how to focus their attention, how to follow instruction and how to control their bodies. Karate training is a great way for kids to learn all these things! Our Tiger classes for 4 and 5 year olds improve all these skills and more. If you're looking for an activity that's fun for your child and teaches them important life skills at the same time, have them try karate at Martial Arts America! Our new student starter course is a great way for you and your child to experience our "dojo" to see for yourself! https://rochesterkarate.com
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Toddlers are curious little people. They’re starting to explore the world and themselves and learning more about communicating with their grownups and peers. Music can help your toddler better understand all of these brand new experiences by giving her a valuable tool for relaxing, focusing, and expressing emotions.At a Music Together® class, your toddler’s growing music skills are supported and challenged in a playful environment. Plus, making music enhances his language, cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. Bring your toddler to explore music in a family class at Music Together Flower City!
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Nazareth Elementary’s Pre-Kindergarten Program offers far more than childcare — it provides a joyful, nurturing school environment where young learners grow academically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually. Our full-day, five-day-a-week program blends strong early literacy and math foundations with hands-on exploration, creative play, and age-appropriate routines that prepare children with confidence for Kindergarten and beyond. Pre-K students enjoy enriching specials including Library, Art, Music, Physical Education, and Dance, fostering curiosity and a love for learning from the very beginning. Rooted in faith and guided by loving educators, children are known, supported, and…
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Looking to have your toddler try something new this year? At Studio K Dance + Fitness, we are offering our specialty “Creative Movement & Pre Dance” classes for ages 2-5 beginning January 10th! These classes occur weekly in sessions. Class time learning consists of exploring movement and motor skills through dance, games, props, and imagination. It will also incorporate learning the basic elements of Ballet. It is a wonderful, low commitment opportunity to provide your child with an active, creative, and fun environment. We have a place for everyone in our Studio K Dance family, so it is never too late to join a session. Make sure to stay tuned for future sessions to begin on our…
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St. Ambrose Academy stands as a beacon of Catholic education, nurturing young minds from Preschool through grade 5 with a commitment to academic excellence. We enchant our little learners aged 3 and 4 with preschool programs, offering the choice of half or full-day and wraparound care. Our devoted staff weave rich experiences that nourish every facet of a child's existence: spiritual, emotional, social, physical, and intellectual. Students embark on a tapestry of engaging activities, including service projects, music, art, physical education, after-school clubs, and much more! We warmly invite you to reach out to our office at 288-0580 to arrange your personal tour today! We eagerly…
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St. Patrick's Catholic Preschool fosters spiritual and educational growth, enabling students to achieve success through human, spiritual, intellectual, social, and emotional development in a safe and supportive child-centered program. We have 3-year-old Preschool, offering three options: two day (Tues/Thurs mornings) or three day (Mon/Wed/Fri mornings) per week. Or choose both for a five day per week option. We also have 4/5-year-old Preschool offering Mon-Fri mornings, ideal for 5-year-olds not attending kindergarten. Learn more at www.stpatricksvictor.org/preschool.
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Woodbury School at The Strong offers a museum-based preschool program for children ages three to five. Woodbury School is Reggio Emilia-inspired and therefore is responsive to the interests of the children. This approach encourages teachers and students to work together to plan a curriculum that is responsive to the individual needs of each child and supports their social emotional development.
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What kind of preschool best suits your child?
Those nice parenting articles always tell you to make sure you choose a preschool that best suits your child's personality--but then rarely provide any specifics on what will give you those clues. Children vary widely in their responses to different situations. Think
about where your child falls on the following dimensions, and think about your own personal preferences for what a preschool experience should be like for your child. Then, when you visit preschools, ask the administrators (and observe yourself) about how well the school's philosophy matches your children's needs. - Playing and learning: Do these seem like separate times at the preschool, or are play and learning time integrated?
- The setting: Is your goal to get your child used
to a school setting, or is it important that the setting feel more like home?
- Specific learning goals: Do you have academic milestones or religious needs that you would like met? Think about this before you set out, and refine your thoughts as you visit more schools.
- Introverts and extroverts: If your child falls on one end of introvert-extrovert scale, it's important to realize this and see what would be expected of them at each preschool (especially important for the
introverts).
- Active play: Does the school provide resources for physically active play that match your child's needs?
- Rest: Kids have different rhythms and requirements for rest. Think about what your child's specific needs are to ensure that they will be accommodated.
- Structure: Some kids do better with lots of structure, while other families feel that they already have enough structure and prefer that a preschool ensure lots of time for unstructured play and
interaction.
- Discipline: What happens when kids misbehave at school? Does the school's philosophy match yours?
- Safety: Safety is a big concern. Think carefully about your standards for keeping kids safe, and observe how the school meets your expectations.
If your child attends (or attended) a great preschool that is not currently on our big preschool list (the easiest way to find out is to search in the big search bar on the top of every KidsOutAndAbout page), please
email me back and we'll contact them immediately to see if they'd like to be on this list! |
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