St James Preschool

HistoryOn Valentine's Day 1996, Ann Getty invited grandchildren of her friends into her home to share a unique preschool experience with her own first granddaughter. As her own four sons had crossed the Golden Gate Bridge to attend a Montessori preschool. Mrs. Getty wanted the same academic foundation for her grandchildren in San Francisco. Lonna Corder has a bachelor's degree in Child Development and an American Montessori Society teaching certification. Mrs. Getty trusted Lonna to create a preschool experience which provided science, math, reading, writing, history, music and art along with free play and plenty of nurturing. Together they created a one-of-a-kind program. For over eighteen years, many children have spent their preschool years with Lonna and her team of expert teachers. The ever present Montessori Pedagogy has prepared San Francisco children for kindergarten. San Francisco Independent Elementary schools depend on pre schools to prepare children for kindergarten.SpecialtiesPlaygroup presents a global approach to Early Childhood Education, the children learn they are a small part of a much bigger world. Working from the Montessori curriculum, young children experience math, language, art, science and cultural studies through appropriate activities. Daily presentations by the teachers show the children the concept. Children engage until they feel confident to teach the concept to other children. The mixed age group allows children to learn, practice and teach each other. The children are given the gift of respect from the adults and freedom to learn and play within clear limits. The respect teachers model for self, others and environment instills a desire to care for self, others and environment. A daily blend of academics, play, gross motor, creative arts and music prepare the Playgroup child for the larger elementary schools.