Preschools in the Seattle Area
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Seattle 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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French Immersion School of Washington offers an excellent French and American education in a welcoming, nurturing environment where children thrive academically, socially, and culturally.
Discover how students grow and learn at every stage, from preschool to upper elementary, through engaging, hands-on teaching in small class sizes.
Visit us now and explore the benefits of a bilingual education! We are conveniently located in Bellevue, just off I-90, exit 13. Applications for the 2025-2026 school year are now open—don’t miss the opportunity to join our vibrant community!
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Discovery Montessori School in Magnolia serves families from many Seattle neighborhoods who come together in support of an enriched early childhood experience. We provide the educational foundation for a lifetime of learning. We are assisting the child in a
personal journey of development, with an eye toward the person each one is becoming.
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Giddens School is a Preschool through 5th Grade independent school located in the heart of Seattle, Washington. We prepare students with deep knowledge and understanding of the core content areas of schooling: mathematics, science, social studies, and
literacy. Additionally, the process of learning to learn is central at Giddens. We support students to understand who they are as learners so that they can advocate for themselves.
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Little Butterfly Learning Center (formerly Huckleberry Forest Preschool) has been a focus of the University district for 15 years near 45th NE & NE 8th. Same great staff, same language, art and science based curriculum. The three main teachers have
over 60 years teaching experience between them and practice a fusion of Reggio and playbased teaching philosophies. We’re a play‑based preschool nurturing curiosity, kindness, and confidence. Small class sizes, caring teachers, and a rich arts‑and‑language curriculum help children spread their wings. Ages 2.5yrs - 5yrs
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Helping your child discover, develop, and belong.
Explore Shoreline Christian School, where preschool through high school students are loved and encouraged to develop their unique talents while respectfully engaging with their community and finding their place in God’s story.
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Assumption-St. Bridget School is a vibrant PreK-8 school community. With over 70 years of tradition, we provide an accessible and affordable education rooted in Catholic values and social justice teachings. As the only two-parish school in the Archdiocese
of Seattle, we believe a strong partnership with our school parents and parishes helps develop students who are Inspired to Learn, Called to Serve, and Prepared to Lead.
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Cedar River Montessori School fosters the innate curiosity of the child, presenting learning experiences that cultivate independent, creative thinkers who continuously build their understanding of themselves and the world around them. We serve children aged
3 through grade 8. Children must be at least 3 years old as of August 31 of their year of entry to be age-eligible for our early childhood program.
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The Hands On Children’s Museum stimulates curiosity, creativity and critical thinking through fun, interactive and engaging exhibits and learning experiences for children, families and the community. Our play-based early learning program is an amazing place
for your child's first school experience. Our preschoolers spend more minutes per year in the museum than most guests, guided by skilled educators, guest artists, scientists, and performers. They take walking field trips to Wet! Science Center and Johansen Olympia Dance Center. They also have access to a wide range of materials to design, tinker, and create. The Museum is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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Kirkland Cooperative Preschool operates on the premise that a child's parents are his or her first and best teachers. KCP works to promote parents as teachers through education, discussion and guidance. By bringing children and parents together to have fun
and learn in a nurturing environment, we build stronger educational partnerships for our families. The focus at KCP is on the social aspect of our children's growth, not the academic. We believe that our children are children and will have ample opportunity to learn their ABC’s and 123’s once they enter elementary school. KCP believes in the value of play, and follows the current research, which shows that children learn best through the art of play. While we do sing the alphabet song, discuss
shape and color, or practice writing our names, academic play is secondary to imaginative and explorative play at KCP.
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The Evergreen School is an independent school for highly capable children in the Seattle area. It was founded in 1963 by Edith Christensen with an enrollment of six students. We inspire highly capable, creative learners to lead with curiosity, compassion,
and courage in a diverse and dynamic world. Grade Levels: Preschool through 8th grade (ages 3 to 14).
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At Suncatcher, our mission is to provide a fun and safe environment for children to learn, grow, and make new friends. Outdoor classroom is the ideal setting for learning and exploration!
At Suncatcher Forest School, we foster a deep connection to nature by engaging students in hands-on experiences like growing food, caring for animals, and understanding natural cycles. Our immersive, nature-based education supports families and inspires a future where communities thrive in harmony with the environment.
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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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