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.
Enrollment for the Fall 2026 Universal Preschool Program will begin in December!
We have added a limited number of morning half-day (9-noon) spots available in our current UPK program for 4 year olds.
Please contact us to enroll.
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 8 different learning centers where the children spend lots of time throughout the day. These include:
Science
Table Toys (Manipulatives)
Art
Blocks
Dramatic Play
Literacy
Writing/Fine Motor
Cozy/Calm Down Corner
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. We change out these areas every couple of weeks to coincide with our thematic units.
Curriculum:
We utilize several different curriculums that follow the play-based philosophy surrounding how children learn:
Heggerty Phonological Awareness
Little Minds Math
Zones of Regulation Social/Emotional Program
Trailblazers Early Childhood Thematic Unit Program
TS Gold Early Childhood Assessment System
Hero Kids Sports
We believe that utilizing these different programs helps us to focus on the whole child through the power of play. Kids learn while having fun!
Contact us for more information!
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! Our program has been assigned a month in Spring 2026 in which our raters will come and observe us in action! We will continue to work hard and impact the children entrusted in our care. Look for more updates in Spring 2026!
Preschool Programs:
Preschool:
The preschool program is for 3-5 year olds. it is a play-based preschool program that is rooted in developmently appropriate practices for early childhood. 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 for 2-5 days a week.
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 have half-day (9-noon) 5 days a week spots as wells as numerous full day options ranging from 2-5 days a week available. If you have a current 4-year-old and would like to enroll for the current 2025-2026 year, please contact us. We are happy to help. Enrollment for Fall 2026 for currently enrolled families will begin in December.
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. This program begins as soon as summer break for Jeffco Public Schools begins. Enrollment for families that are not currently attending our preschool program on a full or part time basis, will begin mid-February. Check back with us for more information.
A great way to preview our summer camp, is to attend the Spring Break Camp in March! Contact us to enroll!
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 the Team
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Jennifer Miller
Director, Level 6 Teaching Credential
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Lisa Stavig
Preschool Teacher, Level 5 Teaching Credential
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Jen Moss
Preschool Teacher. Level 6 Teaching Credential
Who are we:
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 and Jen Moss who all hold an early childhood teaching credential. Our director, Jennifer Miller, leads the team in creating an amazing environment 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.
