Currently Enrolling for GeoKids Preschool Program for the 2024-2025 School Year. Click Here if interested.
In rainbows, all the colors are next to each other, and there’s not just one color in the rainbow. And at GeoKids, there is not just one kind of kid.
- Lucy, Opal Room
OVERVIEW
GeoKids Early Childhood Development Center is a nationally-recognized, NAEYC-accredited cooperative childcare center and preschool for children ages 3 months to 5 ½ years. GeoKids is open 8am to 6pm, Monday to Friday, year round.
HISTORY
GeoKids was founded in 1987 by a group of parents who worked at the United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the Stanford Research Institute (SRI) campus. Since then, GeoKids has become one of the most celebrated early childhood programs in the region, offering a wonderfully supportive, play-based learning environment for local families and educators.
VISION
At GeoKids, we believe children are competent and capable, and deserving of dignity and respect. Our environment and curriculum reflect our values of community, perspective, participation, curiosity, empathy, and joy. Our goal for the GeoKids community is a lifelong commitment to joyful inquiry, courageous compassion, and thoughtful participation.
APPROACH
Our philosophy is greatly influenced by the child care centers in Reggio Emilia, Italy and by the work of notable early childhood educators and theorists such as Magda Gerber, Maria Montessori, Lev Vygotsky, Loris Malaguzzi. Through emergent, play-based curriculum and a focus on social-emotional problem solving, we encourage children to be active participants in their learning. Our positive discipline approach focuses on life skills and “strong hearts.”
We believe children learn best when we...
Support their natural predisposition to learn
Help them develop the social skills that are essential to relating to others
Provide exposure to literacy and numeracy in playful, meaningful contexts
EDUCATORS
The GeoKids educators are a group of reflective, caring, imaginative, lifelong learners. They are passionate, dedicated individuals who are active in a wide range of professional development activities and personal interests. Many of our educators have a bachelor’s degree in child development or a related field, and all are committed to ongoing professional development. In addition, all GeoKids educators are certified in CPR/first aid.
COMMUNITY
GeoKids is a parent cooperative. Parents spend time in the classroom every week and participate in community events. We believe active parent involvement is essential in supporting young children and helping parents to grow alongside their children. We provide parent education opportunities, and GeoKids fosters a community of partnership, where parents, teachers, and children all learn together.
