3-year-old Class

2-days per week - Tuesdays and Thursdays

Ages 3 turning 4yr | 9:30 - 12:30 PM

Age Requirement: Age 3 years by September 1st, 2026 must not turn 4 years before September 1st, 2026

Class Size: 12 children.

Teachers: Maggie Lukens is the Head Teacher for this class, along with one (1) Assistant Teacher (TBD).

Curriculum: In the 3s class, we

• play and explore

• learn about nature

• discover food and early cooking

• take risks

• grow into critical thinkers

The emergent curriculum revolves around children’s needs, interests, desires, and strengths, and is in tandem with the developmental milestones of 3-year-old children as they

• embrace independence

• learn to solve problems

• engage in social communication

Meeting Locations:

This class meets in the schoolyard and the Forest Canyon at the Black Road location, at an off-site creek, and at other locations.

The 3s class starts the school year at our off-site creek location in Almaden. The class will transition to the schoolyard on Black Road in November.

In the 3s class, twelve (12) children, two (2) teachers, and six (6) approved caregivers (evenly split between Tuesday and Thursday) will be present.

Caregivers are responsible for:

• Getting their child to and from school both days, including our creek location and field trips (they may choose to arrange a carpool on their own).

• They will attend ONLY one class per week on their assigned day (either Tuesday or Thursday).

• They will be responsible for their child AND one additional child on the day they attend class.

• Their family partnership will be responsible for their child on their non-working day.

Family Partnerships

In the 3s class, we require families to participate in a family partnership to watch other children while at school. Before the start of school, Family Partnership Coordinators appointed by the board help arrange family partnerships based on information (children's and families' needs, schedules, logistics, and other) provided by each family. After partnerships are formed, we recommend that families get to know one another through play dates and other meetings before the first class.

Many partnerships choose to carpool to ease the burden of commuting and minimize environmental impact; however, this is optional. Family partnerships often form tight bonds and lasting relationships between children and adults. Most importantly, a family partnership gives children the opportunity to develop a trusting relationship with other adults and allows families to show their children that they have confidence in them. 

More detailed information about family partnerships (responsibilities, benefits, etc.) will be communicated to families at the beginning of the school year.