Oakview Preschool

At Oakview Preschool, we pride ourselves on being one of the only truly play-based schools left in the area. Our story began in 1977 when the Dixie School District leased the Oakview School property to founder Olga Scharninghausen. Olga founded the school as a play-based preschool, drawing on various theories from renowned educators such as Reggio-Emilia, Jean Piaget, and Maria Montessori.

Over the years, our school has evolved, and in 2019, Lindsey Toomajian purchased the school and took over as Head of School and Director. Lindsey has a Bachelor's degree in Liberal Studies from CSU Chico and has completed numerous Early Childhood Education classes from SFSU, COM, and SRJC. We are fortunate to have many talented teachers who have been teaching at Oakview for years, some for over 10 years. They are dedicated Early Childhood Education professionals and continually polish their skills by attending conferences, workshops, and classes. All of our teachers have earned at least the 12 ECE units and are CPR and first aid certified.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to nurture children's desire to create, explore, and grow in a safe and supportive environment that offers them comfort and room to push their own boundaries. We believe that each child should be met where they are at in their journey, seen as a whole person with their own ideas, hopes, fears, tendencies, style, capabilities, and temperament. We believe that play is the key to fostering natural born explorers and problem solvers.

Philosophy

At Oakview Preschool, we draw on various schools of thought, including Reggio-Emilia, Jean Piaget, and Maria Montessori. We believe in the importance of childhood and youth preservation. We stand solid in our belief of play-based preschool education and "letting kids be kids." By engaging all the senses and modalities of learning, we believe we can meet each child's needs and provide a safe environment for them to explore and discover.

Our Programs

We offer four bright classrooms, separated by age, with children moving from one room to the next in September and continuing in the same class until the end of the school year in June. Each class is designed to engage children at their developmental level and aid them in reaching appropriate and attainable milestones. Our classes include:

• The Sunshine Room: An introduction to the school setting, where children develop social interactions, problem-solving skills, and self-confidence.
• The River Room: A class where children engage with one another, develop problem-solving skills, and begin to develop a sense of independence.
• The Dandelion & Rainbow Room: A Pre-K/TK class that focuses on social interaction, learning, and developing a love for understanding the world around them.

Daycare

We offer daycare before school, from 8am to 9am, and after school from 12pm to 5pm. Our daycare program is designed to provide a safe and engaging environment for children to play, learn, and grow. Children play side by side, engaging in indoor and outdoor activities, including art, music, and games. Our daycare program also includes naptime, snacks, and socialization with other children and staff.

Our Facility

Our school is located in a small business circle at the top of Skyview Terrace, surrounded by trees, rolling hills, and friendly homes. Our facility features four spacious classrooms, a lobby area, and a large dynamic playground. We are conveniently located for families from all around Marin County.