Our Program
MVNS is a play-based, parent participation preschool inspired by the pedagogy of schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Our school philosophy fosters a child’s natural curiosity of the world, and empowers children to be life-long learners who contribute meaningfully in creating a more equitable society. Within our nurturing and deeply engaged community, children and adults learn and grow beside one another.
Our Curriculum
Our curriculum offers a vibrant and nurturing learning community committed to child-led study, creativity, and collaboration.
We take inspiration from California Council of Parent Participation Nursery Schools and the schools in Reggio Emilia, Italy. Both encourage children, teachers, and families to explore, question, and discover together in a beautiful and nurturing environment.
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Children are encouraged to try novel experiences, while feeling empowered to make their own choices of where to play and which friendships they would like to explore.
A Day at School
A day at MVNS is as varied as the interests of the children in our class. That said, children thrive with structure, so the daily flow has regularity.
The schedule is as follows:
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9:00am - Drop-off
9:30am - Circle time
10:00am - Snack
10:00am - 12:00pm - Free play and provocations
12:00pm - Lunch
12:30pm - Book look (quiet time)
1:00pm - 2:00pm - Free play and provocations
2:00pm - Pick-up
Age Range
Our school welcomes all children aged 2.5 to 5 years old.
We ask that, at the time of enrollment, your child is comfortable using the toilet independently or with minimal assistance. We are happy to partner with families to assist in creating toilet learning plans.
Learning in the Garden
With an expansive outdoor environment and bountiful school garden, MVNS is proud to integrate garden and nature-based curriculum into the classroom. Children are empowered to take ownership of the garden, freely nibbling on raspberries and tomatoes, and taking care of our school’s chickens. The children are involved in all aspects of the garden - from worm composting, to planting, to harvesting and cooking!
Based on interest, these themes make their way into the classroom, where we dive deeply into topics such as worms, spiders, or the life-cycle of a seed.
Studio Art
Our school features a devoted art room, with opportunities for playful exploration with clay, paints, beads, and countless other materials lining the walls. Through our inquiry-based teaching model, we use art as an opportunity for children to experiment with their own creativity, build confidence in their ideas, and develop their fine motor skills.
