Preschool Program
Ages 3–5
Small Characters, Big Dreams!
We provide a high-quality early childhood education to children who dream big and want to show their unique character.
We are excited to announce that we are partnering with Hero Kids Sports! They are here twice a month teaching physical education.
What We Believe:
At Small Characters Preschool, we believe in the power of play. Our purpose is to provide a high-quality early childhood education for young children ages 3-5 and to set their foundation for being life-long learners.
Learning Centers:
Our classroom consists of 7 different learning centers where the children spend lots of time throughout the day. They can build towers in blocks, create amazing works of art or learn about worms while interacting with the worm farm in our science center. All of this is done while playing with their friends and learning how to navigate social situations in a safe and nurturing environment.
Curriculum:
We utilize several different curriculums that follow the play-based philosophy surrounding how children learn. We use Heggerty Phonological Awareness curriculum and Little Minds Early Math curriculum. We also use the Teaching Trailblazers play-based curriculum that aligns with our thematic units. We utilize the Zones of Regulation Social Emotional approach to teaching self-regulation, impulse control, emotion recognition and more. We partner with Hero Kids Sports to work on their gross motor and physical education. Come check out all that we do!
Play-Based Learning:
At Small Characters, children are encouraged to explore and grow at their own pace. We provide developmentally appropriate learning centers full of inviting themes, activities, toys and tools. Our dedicated teachers facilitate opportunities for the children to interact with their world. They do this while playing with their peers. They also learn important communication and problem-solving skills.
Twice Monthly Field Trips:
At Small Characters, we believe that children learn by engaging with their world, not just staying in the classroom. We take the children on fun and educational field trips twice a month to extend the learning that happens. We plan them to coincide with our weekly classroom themes. During the summer we do weekly field trips as part of our Preschool Summer Adventure Camp.
Small Characters & Colorado Shines Quality Improvement Program
What is the Colorado Shines Quality Improvement Program?
It is a program that encourages and supports licensed childcare centers serving children birth through 5 to improve the care and education that they provide. Small Characters Preschool started this process in August 2024. We were assigned a coach who has worked with the staff and administrative team in an ongoing way. The Early Childhood Team has done extensive work by attending trainings, working with experts, participating in the CLASS Observation with a rater and more. This process has been amazing! We are in the final stretch of the program when we will submit our paperwork and go through the level rating process. Raters will come to the center to observe the team working in the classroom for a day. They will go over our paperwork (parent handbooks, staff handbooks, weekly classroom lesson plans and more). We are excited by the changes we have seen in the program and in the education we provide the children in our care.
Preschool Programs:
Preschool:
The preschool program is for 3-5 year olds. It is a full day program available from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. We currently have space available.
Universal Preschool Program:
This program is a part of our preschool program and is for 4-year-olds. It is free for 15 hours a week and is for the academic school year only. We are currently enrolling for Fall of 2025 and we have space available.
Preschool Summer Adventure Camp:
This a fun and action-packed 12 weeks of summer preschool camp! The children go swimming, enjoy weekly park days, loads of STEM activities and weekly field trips. We are currently enrolling for this program.
Hero Kids Sports:
Hero Kids Sports is a fun sports program for our preschoolers. Their coaches come to the center twice a month to teach the children a different sport each visit. Sports include football, soccer, gymnastics, basketball and more. Here is what they have to say.
“HERO KIDS SPORTS is an innovative, non-competitive sports enrichment program for kids ages 2-12 years old, teaching the fundamentals of sports and the values of teamwork in a fun and encouraging environment. Our HERO Programs have been curated for all skill and play levels supporting our kids in building their confidence through our 11-sport curriculum. “
Proud Providers of the UPK Program!
We are excited to be a proud Universal Preschool Program provider for the Lakewood area. This is a program for preschoolers who will turn 4 years old prior to October 1, 2025. We have spaces available. Register today!
Meet Our Staff:
The Early Childhood Team- At Small Characters we are very fortunate to have a warm and nurturing staff. Our team consists of our teachers- Lisa Stavig, Elise Caucutt and Jenn Moss who all hold an early childhood teaching credential. Our director, Jennifer MIller, leads the team in creating an amazing enviroment in which students are encouraged to grow and explore their world. All our teachers have extensive training in play based early childhood education, kindergarten readiness, social emotional learning techniques, trauma-informed practices and more. We are passionate about providing a safe, warm and fun place for our students to learn and grow at their own pace.
