UCUC PRESCHOOL

CA Lic.#372000610

Est. 1970

Our Mission

Since UCUC Preschool was established in 1970, we have strongly believed in creating a sense of community through meaningful connections with intentional commitments to each other. Our goal is to cultivate a wide breadth of thought and ideas as the foundation for life derived learning. We foster social responsibility, equity, respect for nature, inquiry, and exploration through the lens of our core values (Collaboration, Creativity, Curiosity, Inclusiveness, and Kindness).

"Play is often talked about as if it is a relief from serious learning. But for children play is the serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood. Play gives children a chance to practice what they are learning."
-Fred Rogers

Our Philosophy

At UCUC Preschool, we are committed to the development of the whole child. We believe that every child has a right to be treated with respect and a right to live each day with joy and self-fulfillment. Our preschool operates on the belief that children are active constructors of their own learning. Teachers serve as guides to support each child's growth socially, physically, creatively, cognitively, and spiritually.

Our philosophy is inspired by the Reggio-Emilia approach to learning. We believe that children learn through self-discovery, hands-on exploration, and interaction with others and their environment. The experiences they have at UCUC Preschool will help them develop confidence in their abilities. Play is the primary medium for learning. The environment is carefully planned to meet children's developmental needs and to provide opportunities for successful learning.

The Development of the Whole Child

Social Emotional

To truly thrive, we must learn to exist peacefully within ourselves and coexist with others. As a child develops within the social emotional domain, he or she learns how to successfully regulate his or her own internal emotional state and read the social cues of others. Strong emotions can be controlled or expressed properly. Conflict negotiation can be resolved harmoniously. We can evolve empathy toward others. At UCUC Preschool, social emotional development is viewed as the foundation for all other developmental domains. Children are encouraged to utilize democratic principles while engaging in collaborative learning opportunities and projects with peers, teachers, nature, and the environment.

Physical

Children are afforded a wide range of opportunities for big body play. Gross motor and proprioception development are encouraged in our Outdoor Environment. Fine motor offerings are provided through our use of open ended materials and loose parts. UCUC Preschool draws on the use of the senses to stimulate and build each child's physical evolution.

Language

The ability to comprehend, utilize, and manipulate language may be the single most powerful skill a person can develop. Thoughtful conversations are encouraged through the use of open ended questions and a shared curiosity about the natural world. Children engage in reflective meetings as a tool to enhance conversational skills and critical thinking.

Visual and Performing Arts

Visual and performing arts promote exploration and
self discovery. Children express themselves both verbally and non-verbally utilizing various means and methods. We encourage children to tinker, create, build, invent, and construct based on their own interests. Children are provided the creative freedom to explore the materials in order to create works of art that represent themselves. We embrace the The Hundred Languages of Children, a component of the Reggio Emilia philosophy that incorporates dramatic play, drawing and painting, collage, sculpture, music, movement, writing, and construction. Art serves as a vehicle to connect across cultures to our humanity.

Cognitive

At UCUC Preschool, we embrace the image of the child as
a strong, competent and capable learner. Intentionally planned meaningful hands-on experiences are created to provoke, prompt, and creatively challenge children's naturally inquisitive minds. Through the exploration of the natural world, life derived learning is achieved. Cycles of inquiry provide the framework for long term group projects designed to facilitate and enhance children's innate potential and critical thinking. A shared love of investigation, wonder, and curiosity unites the UCUC Preschool community.