Graton Community Preschool

Graton Community Preschool (GCP) is a leading childcare provider in a safe and nurturing environment, dedicated to the highest quality of care for children. Since 2018, we have been actively addressing the holistic development of each child while fostering a lifelong, meaningful relationship with the natural world. We believe that children are naturally curious and motivated to learn, and our role is to offer them experiences that support their interests.

Our mission is to provide a nurturing preschool environment that actively addresses the whole child, while introducing them to the wonders of the natural world. We achieve this by creating a flexible, nature-based curriculum that adapts to the children's interests. We embrace a multi-age and anti-bias classroom approach, where each child is an equal participant, valued for their unique thoughts and questions. Our approach stresses the importance of social collaboration, one where the adult is not the giver of knowledge, but a facilitator of the children's own investigation.

Our Services: Flexible Hours and Curriculum

GCP offers Full-Day, Half-Day, and Preschool hours from Monday to Friday, from 7:30 am to 5:15 pm. Our flexible schedule is designed to meet the varying needs of families. We offer a play-based and discovery-based approach to learning, inspired by the Montessori method of education. We celebrate the changing seasons and family cultures, creating an environment that encourages discovery, experimentation, and the opportunity to see the results of one's actions.

Our curriculum is guided by the children's interests, and we provide activities that encourage growth based on their skills. We encourage problem-solving and reflection by asking open-ended questions, providing information in response to their ideas, insights, and concerns. We positively assist children in their interactions with each other and offer opportunities for cooperative learning.

Our Philosophy: Holistic Development and Connection with Nature

At GCP, we believe that children learn best through play and exploration. We provide a developmentally appropriate environment that encourages active exploration and learning. Our experienced teachers facilitate and guide the children's learning, using observation and documentation to plan and adapt the curriculum. We offer an environment that supports the cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development of each child. We also emphasize the importance of building a lifelong relationship with nature, integrating nature-based activities and experiences into our curriculum.

Our approach reflects our commitment to building a strong foundation for each child's future success. We recognize the uniqueness of each child and provide an individualized approach that supports their development at their own pace. We believe that children are capable learners and strive to provide them with experiences that challenge and engage them, while fostering a love of learning.

Calendar of Events: Celebrating Holidays and Families

At GCP, we believe in celebrating holidays and family cultures. We have a calendar of events that highlights important dates and celebrates the diverse backgrounds of our families. We recognize and honor important holidays and events, such as Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Winter Break, Martin Luther King Day, President's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, and Independence Day. Our calendar of events also includes in-service professional development days, where our teachers engage in ongoing learning and development activities.

Serving the Families of Graton and Surrounding Areas

GCP serves the families of Graton, Forestville, Sebastopol, Occidental, Monte Rio, Guerneville, and the surrounding West County communities. Our year-round program is designed to provide convenient and quality care for children aged 2.5 to 6 years old. We are open from 7:30 am to 5:15 pm, providing a safe and nurturing environment for children for an extended period of time. Our philosophy of education reflects our commitment to providing a high-quality program that meets the needs of families and supports the growth and development of each child.