Explore wonder in our Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten.
At Hollywood Schoolhouse, we honor childhood and believe learning begins in the hands before the mind. Early Childhood education is the start of a lifelong love of learning, and we approach this role with intention and inspiration.
Preschool
Our youngest learners begin their journey at Hollywood Schoolhouse in an inviting, intentional environment designed to spark their social, emotional, and cognitive growth. We recognize every child develops at their own pace, and we see our role as guiding, encouraging, and documenting their progress so we can support them in the ways they need most.
Our days are filled with creativity, inspiration, and a curriculum shaped by the children themselves. Through our emergent approach, we take their ideas and turn them into rich, themed learning experiences that keep curiosity alive. Each young learner is even able to lead the class in further discovery of a chosen topic in our Passion Projects. In these early years, we help children practice self-care, build a sense of responsibility, and learn what it means to be part of a caring educational community.
We also introduce our social-emotional curriculum, weaving in celebrations of each child’s culture and identity. By embracing our differences and sharing our stories, we create a space where every child feels seen, valued, and excited to learn.
“Play is serious learning. Play is really the work of childhood.”
— Fred Rogers
Transitional Kindergarten
Our Transitional Kindergarten program builds on the strong foundation of our Preschool, continuing with a developmentally appropriate, play-based approach. At this stage, children are becoming more independent, comfortable in a classroom setting, and ready for deeper cognitive and social connections.
Through both our indoor and outdoor classrooms, students explore the world around them, develop critical thinking skills, and engage in collaborative learning. Passion Projects grow more complex, with greater documentation of their ideas and discoveries. Through our Passion Projects, our students are introduced to early phonics, beginning writing, and more advanced mathematical thinking, all while encouraging curiosity and creativity.
TK also helps students practice being part of a classroom community, taking on responsibilities, learning routines, and meeting expectations that grow alongside their abilities. Depending on developmental readiness, students may spend one or two years in TK before moving into Kindergarten, where the formal K–6 curriculum begins.
Our goal is to provide a safe, nurturing, and inspiring environment where every child builds the confidence and skills they need for the next stage of learning.
“There is in every child at every stage a new miracle of vigorous unfolding."
― Erik H. Erikson
Philosophy
Our program was originally designed around the theories of Jean Piaget, Erik Erikson, and John Dewey, pioneers who emphasized the importance of hands-on exploration, social-emotional growth, and learning through real-world experiences.
Knowing our students spend much of their day with us, we nurture an environment rich in creativity, movement, structure, and continuous discovery. Every part of our program is designed with children at the center. We stay current with human development research to ensure our approach reflects what’s best for them. Our students learn in indoor and outdoor classrooms that offer opportunities for child-initiated, teacher-guided learning throughout the day.
Our play-based curriculum uses hands-on, multisensory experiences rooted in social and cultural context. In both Preschool and Transitional Kindergarten, children are welcomed into a nurturing space where curiosity, compassion, and adventure guide their days. Our program is designed to meet the developmental needs of each unique age group as we prepare them for their elementary learning experience. Whether it’s a first classroom experience or a step toward elementary school, our program offers a warm, purposeful foundation built on exploration and wonder.
