Our Approach
At Little Mountain Preschool, we believe that strong relationships between parents, children, and teachers are key. A sense of community, respect for each individual’s value, and a feeling of belonging provide the foundation for all learning.
Our School Year Program nurtures curiosity and creativity while preparing children for the next stage of their education. Rain or shine, children spend nearly three hours each day outdoors, engaging with nature, exploring, discovering, and learning through hands-on, nature-based experiences.
Spanning three-quarters of an acre, our expansive outdoor space encourages physical and mental activity, fosters a love and respect for the natural world, and supports imaginative play. At its core, our approach embraces a slower pace, giving children the time and space they need to fully explore, connect with their surroundings, and engage in meaningful play.
Key features of our program
Personalized Learning: Little Mountain Preschool guides children’s learning journey, responding to their unique developmental stages, interests, and needs. Through genuine, caring relationships with teachers, families, and peers, children feel safe, valued, and encouraged to explore, fostering curiosity, creativity, and resilience for lifelong growth.
Nature-Based Learning: Outdoor play is central to our curriculum, allowing children to connect with nature, develop physical, emotional, and cognitive skills, and engage in hands-on exploration.
Through nature-based play, children learn about diversity, respect, and the interconnectedness of all living things, fostering empathy and appreciation for differences.
Creative Expression and Holistic Development: We emphasize the process of creative expression, encouraging children to explore, experiment, and learn through hands-on activities, fostering emotional, social, and cognitive growth as they express themselves freely.
A teaching school: learning together
Little Mountain Preschool is a Certified Teaching School through the California Early Childhood Mentoring Program (CECMP), one of only two in Marin County that hosts student teachers from the College of Marin as part of their journey to becoming licensed educators. This certification highlights our dedication to high-quality teaching and a supportive learning environment, ensuring our teachers are lifelong learners who continually reflect on best practices and grow in their profession. Under the leadership of our director, Meghan, our team of educators collaborates, reflects, and evolves, keeping our program dynamic, research-based, and deeply engaging for our students.
A strong start for lifelong learning
Our program is designed as a 2- to 2.5-year journey, guiding children from their early years through kindergarten readiness and helping to create a strong foundation for a lifetime of learning. We focus on nurturing essential qualities like curiosity, flexibility, resilience, perseverance, collaboration, independence, self-regulation, and creativity, all of which support future academic and social success.
Rooted in the California Foundations and Framework, our approach creates a rich, supportive environment where children grow across all learning areas, including literacy, numeracy, life science, social-emotional development, physical growth, creative arts, language skills, and cognitive development.
A nature- and play-based curriculum
Our outdoor, nature-based curriculum encourages children to become custodians of the planet—observing, questioning, and discovering. Through hands-on experiences, they develop a love for life sciences, sensory exploration, and problem-solving.
By connecting with nature, engaging their senses, and learning about the beauty and interrelationships of all living things, children gain a deep appreciation for the environment. These outdoor explorations inspire and inform indoor activities and play, creating a cohesive learning experience.
“We love and adore Little Mountain Preschool. As first-time parents, choosing the right school felt overwhelming, but from the moment we toured, it immediately felt like home. The teachers are incredibly warm and nurturing, with gentle souls that made our daughter feel safe and comfortable from day one. ”
— The Bowens (Parents)