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Preschool Programs in San Francisco

You already know your child learns more from building a fort out of couch cushions than from sitting at a table with a worksheet. That is the same belief behind everything we do at Wind in the Willows. Our San Francisco preschool offers two programs for children ages 2 1/2 to 5, and all of them start from the same place: let children be children, and the learning follows.

Preschool Program

Ages: 2 1/2 to 4 years
Schedule: 2, 3, 4, or 5 days per week
Hours: 8:30 AM drop-off, 5:00 PM pick-up
Ratio: 1 teacher for every 6 children
Class size: Up to 14 children, supported by 3 teachers
Licensed capacity: 22 children total across all programs

Our play-based San Francisco preschool curriculum does not separate learning into isolated lessons. A child stacking blocks is figuring out balance and spatial reasoning. A group painting project is teaching cooperation without anyone calling it that. A story read aloud together is planting the seeds of literacy before a child even knows what “reading” means.

We build the day around six areas, and we weave them into activities children actually want to do:

Literacy and pre-reading — story time, letter recognition, and early phonics through songs, books, and the conversations that happen naturally when children are curious
Art and creative expression — painting, drawing, collage, sculpture, and open-ended projects where the process matters more than what ends up on the fridge
Music and movement — singing, dancing, rhythm instruments, and group activities that build coordination and pure joy
Science and nature exploration — hands-on experiments, digging in the garden, watching bugs, asking “what happens if…” and finding out
Pre-math skills — counting, sorting, patterns, shapes, and spatial play with blocks, manipulatives, and everyday materials
Social-emotional learning — sharing, conflict resolution, expressing big feelings, taking turns, and building the friendships that matter more than any other skill at this age

With a 1:6 teacher-to-student ratio, our educators actually know your child — not just their name, but what they are working through, what lights them up, and when they are ready for a new challenge. That kind of attention does not happen in a class of twenty. All of our teachers hold early childhood education credentials, CPR and First Aid certification, and complete ongoing professional development.

A Typical Day
at Wind in the Willows

Young children do better when they know what comes next. Our daily routine gives them that — a predictable rhythm that still leaves plenty of room for the unexpected moments where real learning happens.

Choosing Time

The day starts with the best kind of decision-making: what do I want to do? Children pick from painting, dramatic play, dress-up, sand and water exploration, blocks, puzzles, and more. This is not “free time” in the babysitting sense. This is where children make choices, negotiate with friends, solve problems, and follow their own interests. Some of the most important learning of the day happens right here.

Group Time

Everyone comes together for movement, singing, music, and conversation. It is a chance to be part of something bigger — to listen, share ideas, and practice the give-and-take of community. Kinder Prep students also get Sharing Days, where they bring something from home and talk about it with the group (which, if you have ever watched a four-year-old explain their favorite rock, is as wonderful as it sounds).

Snack

Children bring a healthy snack and drink from home. But snack is not just about eating. It is about sitting with friends, having a conversation, and building the small independence that comes from opening your own container and cleaning up when you are done. (We are a nut-free facility, so please keep that in mind when packing snacks.)

Outdoor Play

Our private yard has a sandbox, climbing equipment, an updated play structure, and a garden where children plant things, water them, and (sometimes patiently, sometimes not) watch them grow. We have a rain-or-shine outdoor play policy — children only stay inside for genuine weather extremes like heavy rain, poor air quality, or unusual heat. Fresh air and physical play happen every day. Every single day.

Story and Song Time

The day closes the way it should — with stories read together and songs everyone knows the words to. It is calm, it is connected, and it is one of the parts of the day children love most.

Kinder Prep /
Transitional Kindergarten

If your child is in their last year before kindergarten, our Kinder Prep program is designed specifically for that transition. It is still play-based, still joyful — but there is more intentionality behind the activities, because the goal is to send your child into kindergarten feeling ready and confident.

Ages: 4 to 5 years
Small group: 10 children or fewer, supported by 2 dedicated teachers
Schedule: Monday through Friday, until 1:00 PM
Focus: Early literacy, numeracy, following multi-step directions, classroom routines, and the self-regulation skills that kindergarten teachers say matter most
Approach: Social-emotional growth first — building the confidence and independence children need for bigger classrooms and longer days

There are no worksheets. No drilling. Children build kindergarten skills through play, projects, and real experiences. The difference from our Preschool program is the focus: teachers design activities with specific transition goals in mind, and they are watching for the moments when a child is ready for their next challenge. It is a bridge, not a boot camp.

Music Program

Wind in the Willows is proud to offer a dedicated music program led by Mr. Alexei Wajchman. Mr. Alexei visits twice a month, bringing a dynamic mix of folk and rock singalongs, fingerplays, and movement and dancing songs. His repertoire spans his own original compositions alongside covers ranging from Woody Guthrie and Malvina Reynolds to Nirvana.

Each session also includes a hands-on lesson in music theory or music history and appreciation. Children explore concepts like beat, rhythm, melody, harmony, and ear training, while also learning about instruments and musical traditions from around the world. One month might feature a lesson on dynamics (the volume of music) paired with the instruments of Africa, such as the djembe, kora, and mbira.

Extended Care

Need a longer day? Extended Care runs until 5:00 PM for both Preschool and Kinder Prep students. It is a relaxed mix of outdoor play, quiet activities, and social time — a continuation of the day, not a separate program bolted on at the end.

Schedule and Calendar

Daily Hours:

Drop-off: 8:30 to 8:45 AM
Morning circle: 9:45 AM
Pick-up: 12:45 to 1:00 PM
Extended Care: 1:00 to 5:00 PM

We follow the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) calendar for holidays and breaks. And if your family wants to keep the momentum going into summer, we offer a summer camp program in June — same spirit, warmer weather.

Find the Right Program for Your Child

“Preschool or Kinder Prep?” is one of the most common questions we hear, and there is no wrong answer. Our director is happy to help you think it through based on your child’s age, personality, and what feels right for your family.

The best way to decide is to come see it in person. Tours are available year-round. Watch the kids play, talk to the teachers, and ask every question on your list.

Schedule a Tour