Sunroom & Treehouse
3-5 years old
At OCNS, our preschool mixed-age classrooms (ages 3-5) provide a nurturing, play-based environment where children grow socially, emotionally, and academically at their own pace. Our classrooms are thoughtfully designed to balance cozy, calming spaces with vibrant, engaging areas, fostering both comfort and curiosity.
Using a blend of creative exploration and project-based learning, children engage in open-ended play, hands-on investigations, and collaborative projects based on their interests. Daily routines provide structure and security while allowing for flexibility and child-led discovery.
Through indoor and outdoor play, nature-based learning, and meaningful social interactions, children build confidence, independence, and foundational skills that prepare them for their next steps—whether that’s Pre-K, TK, or Kindergarten. Our cooperative model ensures that each child is supported by both dedicated teachers and an engaged community of families, creating a truly enriching and connected early learning experience.
Invitations to Play
"Invitations" are thoughtfully designed open-ended activities or experiences tailored to the unique interests and inquiries of our students, ensuring their full engagement and enthusiasm for learning. Our committed co-teachers actively observe and engage with the children during play, identifying their individual focus skills. By incorporating these skills into the invitations, we cultivate a dynamic learning environment that promotes growth and development across multiple areas.
Cooperative Experiences
Cooperative experiences offer valuable opportunities for modeling behavior and teaching vocabulary around consent, emotions, boundary setting, conflict resolution, negotiation, and problem-solving. With teachers and working caregivers nearby, ready to lend a hand, students have ample chances to practice as they collaborate together building intricate block structures, negotiating roles in dramatic play, or tackling projects with friends.
Project-Based Learning
Sunroom & Treehouse students engage in a child-led, project-based approach using high-interest topics specific to the group of students through inquiry. This play-based, multidisciplinary approach allows students to learn through the arts, the scientific process, literacy, and more. You may see students painting to different types of music to explore how music impacts movement during dance research, or constructing a full dog habitat for a dog project, or drawing/labeling observations as they observe a caterpillar's metamorphosis into a butterfly for an insect unit.
Fluid Structure
Everyone's uniqueness is valued, and individuality is encouraged. With a set of guiding principles, students learn that their presence matters and is respected by everyone in the group. In turn, they learn to be collaborative and supportive members of a community where there is space for everyone to shine. Each student is a contributor and learner within a safe and respectful environment, where they are encouraged to build an understanding of similarities and differences. By observing and highlighting these differences, they develop an acceptance and appreciation for the diversity of our community.
Active Participants, Expanding Minds
At OCNS, learning happens through doing, questioning, and exploring. Children are encouraged to follow their curiosity, engage in open-ended play, and develop critical thinking skills through hands-on experiences. Whether investigating a new topic, reflecting in conversation, or experimenting through trial and error, students learn organically and collaboratively in a space that values inquiry and imagination.
Our mixed-age classrooms provide opportunities for autonomy and collaboration, fostering social-emotional growth, self-regulation, and confidence. Through small group projects, personal storytelling, and open-ended explorations, children actively shape their learning experience—discovering, sharing, and growing together. This is #TheOCNSway.
$7300/Year
Monday-Thursday, 8:30-12:30
Sunroom: Ms. Andrea & Ms. Harriett
Treehouse: Ms Mary. & Ms. Kaylin
2 working parents per class
15 students per class