Piper Preschool, Santa Monica

We are Crystal and Jesse. We build schools. We grow families. We create community. We love what we do, and put our heart and soul into every detail. Crystal started as part of the admissions team at Brentwood School. It was during this experience that she saw a need for quality preschools in West LA. She came home one day with the idea, drew it up on a napkin, and spent the last four years as the Director of Cassidy Preschool. So, why the name Piper? It's a name we had in mind for our future baby. Now, this is our baby. We also try to live by four very basic principles found in a book called The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. While it isn't always easy, we expect it of ourselves and encourage it from our staff. It's a good reminder of how life should be lived, how others should be treated, and how to be your best self. These are the four principles that have carried us through some tough times? and made the good ones even better.

Developmental or Academic, right? Yes, it's the hot question… but what does it mean? We created a blended approach that provides children with the best of both worlds. In the early years at Piper, children experience an emergent curriculum. As they get older and progress through the school, children are introduced to a traditional approach. We think, we re-think, we create, and we listen. We do what makes sense, and promise never to become complacent. <t>Parenting Program | 6 months – 2.5 years</t> Parents join in a group setting with their child… kids play, parents talk, friendships form. Classes are divided into a 4-month age range and meet once per week, offering experiences for your child and opportunities for you to talk about topics of concern and interest. The Parenting Program is designed to allow you and your child to get to know the school, the setting, and the teachers, before transitioning into the preschool. This is where the Piper family begins. <t>Transition | 2 years – Preschool</t> Part-time enrollment is offered to kids who don't quite make the preschool cut-off, but are rarin' to go. Children attend three days per week, including two independent preschool days and one session of the parenting program. Priority is given to siblings of current Piper kids. <t>Preschool | 2.6ish – 4.3</t> Kids experience the best of both worlds as we focus on a blended philosophy. Beginning with aspects of an emergent curriculum, children gradually experience components of traditional education as they progress through the school. <t>Pre-Kindergarten | 4.4 – Kindergarten</t> Their final year is our Pre-Kindergarten program. Classes are divided by development and age, and are designed for kindergarten readiness.