Little Thinkers Preschool promotes movement and learning enrichment rooted in the values and culture of Columbia Athletic Club and the Pacific Northwest. Children engage with each other and with staff in a constructive, creative, safe environment to prepare them for a lifetime of healthy living and learning.
Teaching Philosophy
Little Thinkers year-round Preschool/Pre-K promotes movement and learning enrichment rooted in the values and culture of Columbia Athletic Clubs and the Pacific Northwest. Children engage with each other and with staff in a constructive, creative, safe environment to prepare them for a lifetime of healthy living and learning.
Little Thinkers values allowing children to be themselves while recognizing the importance of play in developing social skills and the academic foundations necessary for kindergarten! Our program believes that play is a child’s “work”. Just as adults take pride in their accomplished work, we strive to make each child go home with a sense of pride and accomplishment in the work they’ve completed that day.
Children also need to move! The gym is a perfect place to release pent up energy, play group games, explore special relationships, and dance. When weather permits, Little Thinkers explore the outdoors to get dirty, feel the grass on their little hands and appreciate the smell of the Pacific Northwest rain! These things inspire their “work play” and cultivate their spongy growing minds. As teachers, we like to incorporate many movement-based activities including dance parties, yoga, outdoor adventures, and swimming lessons! One of the many things that make Little Thinkers unique is our access to Columbia Athletic Club’s indoor and outdoor pools. Our students receive swimming lessons in private classes with just our students. Through these classes, students learn fundamental components to success in swimming with a focus on safety, fun, and positivity, providing them with a technical skill set that they can depend on for the rest of their swimming life.
Learning and self-articulation through human expressions is a style implanted inside our program. Your children are exposed to a variety of artistic mediums through activities like crafting, painting, singing, dancing, and playing instruments. These activities help them develop their fine motor skills, improve their sensory-based learning, and investigate various creative means of self-expression.
Another big focus at Little Thinkers is to build confidence and independence in our students; confidence to solve problems like sharing, taking turns, what to do when someone has sat in your spot, using words instead of screaming, hitting or shoving – by the end of the year, their problem solving skills will be greatly improved. These problem solving skills will be something they can use with confidence during conflicts both inside and outside of the classroom.
Child Safety
The safety of all the children in our care is incredibly important to us at Columbia Athletic Clubs. Here is a closer look at some of the things we’ve done to ensure a safe secure environment for everyone:
- The Silver Lake facility is fully equipped with security cameras and each department follows strict evacuation procedure for potential emergency situations. Such emergencies include altercations, fire, earthquake, theft, power outages and facility threats. Although we hope that these types of situations rarely if ever take place, the employees of the facility understand the importance of being prepared at all times.
- Each employee has received CPR and first aid training. The club has two AED units, one at the front desk and the other in our tennis building. First aid kits are readily available throughout the facility, as well as fire extinguishers. All incidents are recorded with a Club Incident Form. Any minor injuries (knee scrapes, bumps etc.) that may occur during your child’s in preschool will be shared with parents in full detail upon pick up. Club staff in all departments will know our preschool hours to increase awareness of young children present in the facility.
- To maximize child safety, enrollment is capped at twelve children per day. Ms. Isabel will have an assistant present throughout the school day. Our classroom is located right next to the Kids Club. The classroom is equipped with a hand washing sink and the children have full access to a child size bathroom located in the Kids Club.
Curriculum
At Little Thinkers, we strive to:
- Provide a print-rich environment with a strong emphasis on early literacy skills and a love for books.
- Teach our students about numbers, letters, and shapes and provide cognitive games that make learning a joy.
- Teach our students about weekly themes through class discussions, projects, games, learning activities, books, songs, etc.
- Provide swim lessons and many other opportunities for large motor development.
- Teach about life cycles and introduce the children to natural science, curiosity, and discovery.
Fall/Winter 2024/25 Schedule and Tuition
Ages 3 & 4:
Days: Mondays & Wednesdays, 9am – 1pm
Fees: $365 Member (per month)/$405 Non-member (per month)
Ages 4 & 5:
Days: Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays, 9am – 1pm
Fees: $435 Member (per month)/$475 Non-member (per month)
Our monthly tuition includes year-round swimming lessons.
Daily Routine
Each day will follow a consistent routine, keeping a healthy structured environment. Please note that this routine may adjust over time based on the pulse of the classroom. However, here is a good idea of what the day will have in store for your child:
September 4 – June 20:
- 9 – 10am: Free play/structured art; sensory activities/gym/playground (weather permitting)
- 10 – 11:45am: Swim/School Work
- 11:45am – 12:15pm: Lunch
- 12:15 – 12:50pm Circle time (songs, stories, finger plays, creative movement, and class discussion)
- 12:50pm: Pack up to head home
School Supplies
Bring daily:
- Water bottle
- Lunch (we are a nut-free facility)
- Jacket for outdoor play
- Backpack
Keep In cubby/classroom:
- Swimsuit
- Change of clothes
- Goggles (optional)
- Hair brush & detangler (optional)
FAQ
Parents have asked if they can join us during the school day. We do have an open door policy. You are welcome to join us; we only ask that you plan it ahead of time with our staff. Some children have more difficulty when their parent is present; please keep this in mind when considering this option.
We have also had questions about immunizations. At this time, immunizations are not required. We leave this decision up to parents. As for illness, we keep a strict policy of admittance only if a child has been without fever and has been non-contagious for 24 hours or more. Please use your best judgement with coughs and sniffles.
Contact Information
For more information regarding tuition, teaching philosophy and curriculum, please contact us at 425.332.3799, or via email: enolas@columbiaathletic.com.
