Marin Preschool Guide

Southern Novato parents—the City of Novato is starting a new affordable, fun, and educational Pre-K program in Hamilton! Taking place Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9–11:30 am at the Hamilton Community Center, Hamilton Pre-K offers a healthy balance of play and academics to stimulate social, emotional, and educational growth. The program will be taught by California credentialed teachers who have preschool and elementary school experience, and are knowledgeable in Novato Unified School District curriculum and standards and will offer necessary preparation for kindergarten.

Teachers will monitor and evaluate growth and Kindergarten readiness, while maintaining a loving and playful environment and utilizing the Positive Discipline strategies they are certified in. The program will combine both academic and play-based activities, and teachers will assess and monitor growth and provide parent/teacher conferences so that parents can be aware of exactly where they child is in their development.

The class is for children ages 3.5–5; students must be 3.5 years old by August 1, 2011. Session 1 (code 15890) runs from August 29–September 30, session 2 (code 15891) from October 3–November 4, and session 3 (code 15892) from November 7–December 16. Fees are $280 residents/$293 non-residents for session 1 and 3, and $300/$313 for session 2. Register in-person at the Novato Gymnastics Center, 950 7th Street, or Margaret Todd Senior Center, 1560 Hill Road, by phone at (415) 899-8250 or onlline at

Located in southern Novato, Montessori for Toddlers offers a small-group preschool experience for children aged 18 months–3 ½ years, where children are encouraged to explore their interests in a peaceful home environment, prepared with inviting and challenging materials. Montessori for Toddlers is located at 20 Pacific Drive in Novato. For more information, visit their website at www.montessorfortoddlers.com or call (415) 883-2445.

We asked Montessori for Toddlers founder, director, and head teacher Terese Bradshaw to tell us about her school and what it offers parents and children.

Describe your school’s educational philosophy. What’s it all about?

Montessori for Toddlers is a unique in-home Montessori program for children 18 months–3 ½ years of age. The classroom is a rich educational setting, filled with hands-on activities for this critical age of development. Young children are encouraged to explore their interests in a peaceful home environment, prepared with inviting and challenging materials.

What does a typical day at your school entail?

Celebrate imagination, children's literature, literacy, and above all fun at the fourth annual Storyland Festival, this Saturday, May 14, from 10 am to 3 pm at San Geronimo Preschool in San Geronimo. This enchanting event is perfect for kids from 1–8 and features exciting activites that bring storybook characters to life and help inspire a lasting love of reading. The Storyland Festival gets rave reviews from local parents and children, and It's always one of everyone's favorite yearly events.

This year's Storyland Festival features roaming story characters, live music by everybody's favorite family recording artist Tim Cain, a bounce house, cookie decorating at the Teddy Bear's Picnic, storytelling and games with favorite characters like Snow White and Curious George; face painting, a petting zoo, arts and crafts, healthy and organic food, and much more. Also on hand is Aladdin's Bazaar, where parents can pick up special treasures for their children.

For our latest preschool profile, we asked Novato Parents Nursery School (NPNS), a cooperative preschool that's been going strong in Marin since 1968, to tell us what they're all about and what kind of experience they offer for both children and parents. If you're the kind of parent who wants hands-on involvement in your child's early education, then this may very well be the school for you! Check out their open house on Saturday, May 14 from 10 am-11:30 am.

Novato Parents Nursery School is located at 1473 South Novato Boulevard in Novato. Contact the school at (415) 897-4498 or visit them online at www.npnurseryschool.org.

Please describe your school's educational philosophy.

NPNS’ philosophy is based on a complete acceptance of each child and on the practice of Positive Discipline. We aim to enhance child empowerment and self-esteem. We follow each child's cognitive, motor and emotional development through these formative years. We make sure each child has an enriching first-school experience that leaves him or her well prepared for kindergarten and eager to meet life’s further adventures.