WELCOME TO TAMALPAIS PRESCHOOL!
You're invited to come visit and tour our school
We encourage you to set up a tour via email or by phone at (415) 388-4286—and bring your child so you can both observe and experience a typical day at school. This is important, so you understand our philosophy and programs before entrusting your child to our care. We conduct tours all year.
Waitlist forms and tuition bulletins for both of our schools are available for download.
Tamalpais PROGRAMS
2's Program
Preschool (3-4 Year Olds)
Preschool (3-4 Year Olds)
The Creek Room is a 5-day program with 3-day (MWF) or 2-day (Tues-Thurs) options. School hours are 9am-1pm. Children must be 2 years old by first day of school.
The Creek Room has a special playground area outside designed just for their capabilities and needs. The teachers focus on the basics: sharing, taking turns, sitting quietly, riding bikes/scooters, following directions, etc. These are the building blocks for independence, social confidence, classroom behavior, and pre-academic skills. The teachers also follow a play-based curriculum where they provide age appropriate toys and educational materials to teach the children about the world and school as they play.
Preschool (3-4 Year Olds)
Preschool (3-4 Year Olds)
Preschool (3-4 Year Olds)
The Ocean Room is a 5-day program with 3-day (MWF) or 2-day (Tues-Thurs) options. School hours are 9am-1pm. Children are usually 3-4 years old in September.
The preschool classroom is a spacious playroom, divided into three learning areas, with a large outdoor yard and garden. The indoor space includes an Art Room for creative expression, a Library that includes children's access to our large collection of children's books, and tables for cognitive small-motor tasks and science exploration. The Library also includes a dramatic play center with dress-up costumes, furniture and housekeeping equipment. Our third indoor area is the Block Room, with small unit blocks and large hollow blocks for play. The space also allows large-motor activities like music, body movement, musical instruments, dancing, and use of other movement equipment.
Pre-K (4-5 Year Olds)
Preschool (3-4 Year Olds)
Early Child Care & After Care
The Garden Room is a 5-day program only. School hours are 9am-1pm. Children are usually 3.5-5 years old in September.
This program is designed for children who just miss the TK cutoff or are old enough to attend TK, but whose families feel an additional year in preschool would be beneficial. Tam Pre-K uses a project approach and emergent curriculum. We focus on children's interests, but expand on their knowledge by creating group-based projects. We use the "Handwriting Without Tears" program for literacy with a combination of phonics and a letter of the week. The Pre-K classroom contains learning materials designed to enhance their social, emotional, cognitive and physical development.
Early Child Care & After Care
Engaging Learning Environments, Inside & Out
Early Child Care & After Care
Additional childcare is offered from 8-9am and from 1-5pm in two 2-hour blocks (1-3pm and 3-5pm).
During the afternoons, there is a rest/nap time for all children. We have cozy cots and rest areas where they can relax and sleep. After, the teachers plan fun, engaging, and educational play time and activities.
Engaging Learning Environments, Inside & Out
Engaging Learning Environments, Inside & Out
Engaging Learning Environments, Inside & Out
Our classrooms and playgrounds are full of hands-on learning materials and designed to enhance children's social, emotional, cognitive and physical development.
We have several playgrounds designed for age-appropriate activities. One of the playgrounds is a large-motor space with a play structure, sandbox, and building materials, while the smaller yard is an outside classroom and transition area for outdoor creative projects.
Special Guests & Classroom Experiences
Engaging Learning Environments, Inside & Out
Engaging Learning Environments, Inside & Out
We love hosting a variety of special enrichment guests and events throughout the year, to provide unique, memorable experiences for the children.
In recent years, these have included the Lizard Lady, Perry the Magician, the Insect Lab, Music Time, Jamaroo, puppet theater shows, soccer/recess games, yoga, and more.
MEET THE ADULTS DEVOTED TO YOUR CHILDREN
Our Director, Marcela Amador
Marcela received a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Dominican University. She obtained a Program Director Child Development Permit from the State of California and has 20+ years of experience teaching young children. Marcela became Director in 2009 after teaching here for four years. Contact Marcela at (415) 388-4286 or via email.
Our Dedicated Staff
Hired based on their professional commitment to children, Tamalpais teachers have been trained in Early Childhood Education and participate in regular in-service training sessions, workshops, and seminars. Each teacher strives to be supportive and responsive to children throughout the day, by facilitating play, arranging the physical environment for appropriate learning challenges and guiding children's behavior and emotional development.
Our Board of Trustees & Involved Parents Like You
We have a nine-member Board of Trustees comprised of parents from both schools, with the Presidency and Vice Presidency alternating between the two schools each year. The Board meets monthly, working closely with the Directors and Chief Operating Officer to oversee fundraising, facilities, finances, operations, and policies. The Board also coordinates programs and events throughout the year, including the sale of spirit wear, a Halloween extravaganza, and an Annual Spring Joint Meeting for parents and teachers. Board members are nominated in March and serve one-year terms. We encourage all parents to volunteer and participate in Board-sponsored activities and, of course, get involved in their children's education with parent-teacher conferences, classroom volunteering, and family events.
Download our Social Calendar for the 2024-2025 school year in Parent Resources below—and get involved!
Officers
President: Kristen Righetti, Tamalpais Preschool
Vice-President: Crystal Maloney, Strawberry Preschool
CONTACT THE SCHOOL
is located on the United Methodist Church campus at
410 Sycamore Avenue, Mill Valley, CA 94941
(415) 388-4286
director@tamalpaispreschool.org
