• We believe young children thrive in an environment in which they feel safe and happy.
• We believe young children thrive when teachers encourage them to explore and discover, and communicate effectively with others.
• We believe young children thrive when teachers provide children with a curriculum rich in content and materials.
• We believe that a successful early childhood program requires the active participation of parents.
• We believe that together parents and teachers give children the strong foundation for a life-long love of learning.

The Country Day School approach to early childhood education is developmental and focuses on the individual needs of each child.

Experienced teachers, who teach in small groups with excellent staff to child ratios, develop curricula that is engaging and provides children with concrete, hands-on experiences. Children have opportunities to experience the curriculum in the classrooms, on the playgrounds, and in the special emphasis programs.

The curriculum emerges from children's interests and it is presented so that children of varying ability levels enjoy success. Children quickly learn the routines and feel comfortable trying new projects and making new friends. This approach to learning builds children's self-esteem and love of learning.

Children have the benefit of experiencing our early childhood curriculum throughout the four acre campus. Besides the nine playgrounds on which they rotate their experiences, children also attend classes in the nature room, art studio, library, and the multi-room for music and movement. In the outdoors, children have access to the nature and fitness trails, the children’s garden, the outdoor theatre, and the vining maze. All of these outdoor areas have specific curricula and equipment geared to the various age groups of the children.