Kids’ Experience: child-led play supported by our teacher + you

Your child is going to love learning and playing at Glacier Way

Child-led play. Social-emotional learning. All supported by our teacher and parents.

Glacier Way uses a play-based curriculum to bring children in contact with reading, music, art, science, and math each day. Everything is child-led. Kids engage with their teacher and parent volunteers to choose activities and create things together.

During the Winter 2026 semester, we hold class from 9 AM to 12:15pm on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday during the school year (September - May).

Starting in Fall 2026, we will offer classes Monday-Friday. Parents have the option to send their child 3, 4 or 5 days a week (September - May).

Our classroom is a mix of ages 3 - 5. Our teacher and school director is always present, along with at least two volunteer ‘assist’ parents per day.

Children must be 3 years old by the first class of the semester to begin preschool at Glacier Way. If your child turns 3 shortly after the start of the semester for which you’d like to enroll, feel free to contact us to discuss. (It is possible to start in the Winter/Spring semester, even if you did not attend the preceding Fall semester).

Children must be potty trained (if your child is close, but still in pull-ups, let’s talk). We know accidents are age-appropriate, and we have safe and supportive strategies in place to address them when they occur, in line with our licensing regulations. We’re happy to talk with families about a potty plan for their children.

Glacier Way Co-op Preschool is committed to diversity and inclusion. See our anti-discrimination policy here.

Scroll down to see a typical day at Glacier Way, or click the button below to take a virtual (or physical) tour of our space.

TOUR OUR PRESCHOOL

See a typical day at Glacier Way

Curious what kids experience during a morning at Glacier Way? Read below to learn about a typical day in our classroom, and how the day is structured to support children’s development.

Click each item below to expand details.

  • Children are greeted at the door and store belongings in their own personal cubby. A curated set of floor activities (puzzles, games, building blocks) warms up the brain and fine motor skills, and immediately gives kids choice and autonomy.

  • Everyone picks their favorite letter on the big alphabet rug as our teacher leads the class in singing the Hello Song. We greet each other, record the date and weather on our big wall calendar, and read a story connected to our weekly theme (e.g. pumpkins, spring flowers).

  • Children head to their assigned tables for an open-ended, adult-lead academic activity.

  • Children decide where and how to spend their time across our two rooms.

    Our teacher and parent volunteers provide a wide range of rotating activities, from seasonal crafts to sensory play to imaginative play. The writing center, paint easels, play dough table, and costume closet are always open!

  • We play the clean-up song, and everyone works together to help.

  • We all come back together on our big alphabet rug as our teacher reads a story before snack time.

  • We line up at the sink to take turns washing our hands and practice good hygiene

  • Everyone pulls up a seat at the table and we recite our thankfulness poem before sharing a snack family-style. The children pour their own water from pitchers and serve themselves from the snack bowls before passing them on to their classmates.

    Snack consists of two foods – usually something crunchy and a fruit or veggie. We eat, talk, and laugh together.

  • Once the students are done with their snack, they head to the carpet for songs and movement.

  • Children collect their art and crafts, and load up their backpack to head outside. Once everyone is lined up on a color dot of their choice, we march out to our private, gated playground.

    A range of gross motor (fort, climbing dome, slide) and imagination-based play options (sandbox, toy kitchen) let kids match their play to their energy level.

    Bad weather? We blow off steam in our indoor rec room by building an obstacle course, scooting on scooter boards, or drawing at the art table.

  • It’s been a fun morning! Remember to grab the cool stuff your child made today. Parents often linger to chat with each other, or let kids keep playing for ‘just one more minute!’