Curriculum

Children are natural born scientists.  At Magpie Preschool House, we’re here to provide them with sensory-rich, captivating learning opportunities tailored to their interests and questions.  Whether it’s an exploration of animal habitats, discovering how different plants grow, or tinkering to create a zipline for stuffed animals; we understand that children learn best through play!  As teachers, we will research alongside the children, carefully observe their play, and document the important discoveries they make.  Each day, children have the opportunity to dig in the dirt, make art, play freely with open-ended materials, have a dance party, and share a quiet story with a friend or teacher. 

Pedagogically, we borrow from Reggio Emilia, Waldorf, Montessori, and more.  We believe that no single pedagogy can support every kind of student; and, by remaining open-minded and evidence-based, we have the greatest chance of supporting each child in their journey at our school. 

Food Program

Magpie Preschool House provides an organic, vegetarian lunch and two snacks daily from a whole foods-based menu. Lunch consists of a protein (usually a bean), grain, vegetable, and fruit. A menu will be posted each week.  We aspire to create a food program that is inclusive of each child’s allergies and sensitivities.
At mealtimes, we observe a division of responsibility – we provide a variety of healthy, delicious, and thoughtfully-prepared foods, and your child is responsible for what they eat and how much. We trust children to regulate their bodies by eating when they’re hungry and stopping when they’re full. 

Family Involvement

Magpie Preschool House is welcoming and affirming of all. We want our school to be a true home away from home. You are always welcome to spend time in our classroom, and teachers are committed to building strong relationships and partnerships with each family. We are here to support you and partner with you, and we want to ensure that your time as a part of our community is fulfilling.
One of Magpie’s primary goals is to make quality early childhood education financially accessible. We accept ERDC payments and offer work-trade hours for reduced tuition. Families who opt for work-trade hours are submitted to the Criminal Background Registry and must be fingerprinted prior to reduced tuition approval.