Empowering Children to Reach Their Full Potential
At Discovery Place, we are dedicated to providing a nurturing and stimulating environment for young children to grow and develop. With over 30 years of experience in early childhood education, our experienced and knowledgeable staff are committed to creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere that fosters a love of learning in every child.
Our Philosophy
Our philosophy of education and pedagogy reflects our dedication to what is acknowledged as best practice in early childhood education. We believe that children are active researchers of their world, constructing and co-constructing knowledge through self-expression and reflection. Our approach is informed by the theories of John Dewey, Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, and Jerome Bruner, and more recently, the work of Howard Gardner, Loris Malaguzzi, and Carlina Rinaldi.
Curriculum Design
Our curriculum is designed to align with local, state, and national standards, and includes areas of content such as self-esteem, autonomy, social/emotional, cultural, literacy, language, critical thinking, math, science and nature, and humanities. We use a developmentally appropriate, emergent, and multi-dimensional curriculum design for in-depth, integrated learning.
Reggio Inspired Approach
Our curriculum is heavily influenced by the distinguished schools of Reggio Emilia, Italy, where children are believed to be naturally creative, competent, and full of potential. Our approach includes close observation of children's work and the expression of ideas, child-centered, in-depth project work, teachers who work in harmony with staff, parents, and children, and an environment that is a "third teacher" where design, organization, and use of space and materials supports individual, group, and negotiated learning.
Our Programs
We offer a range of programs for children aged 2-5, including Toddlers, Age 2-3, and Age 3-5. Our programs are designed to promote social, emotional, cognitive, and physical development, and include activities such as art, music, movement, and drama.
Our Commitment
Discovery Place admits students of any race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, national origin (ancestry), and disability to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, veteran status or sexual orientation in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies and other school-administered programs.
Overview of Discovery Place
Positive Experiences
Discovery Place has received rave reviews from two satisfied parents, Morgan Salazar and Candace Kunkel, who have shared their exceptional experiences with the preschool.
Welcoming Environment
Both parents praised the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the preschool. Morgan Salazar felt a sense of complete peace and felt welcome from the moment she walked in. The staff's long-tenure and personal connection to the preschool, with some staff members having attended the preschool themselves, added to the sense of security and familiarity.
Supportive Staff
The staff at Discovery Place have been highly supportive, particularly when it came to catering to the unique needs of the children. Morgan Salazar's daughter has severe food allergies, and the teachers and administrators have been enormously supportive in managing her allergies. Candace Kunkel's son, who was adopted in 2016, had struggles with minding and getting overexcited, but the teachers took the time to learn about his background and understand his needs.
Engaging Programs
The preschool offers engaging programs that keep children interested and involved. Candace Kunkel praised the school's ability to provide interactive programs that help children learn and grow.
