Academics

Preschool

Sparking Joy

As a top rated preschool in Boulder, Colorado, we are passionately igniting a love of learning in early childhood. Preschool is a child’s first experience with school—both academically and socially—and our balance of play and academics is just right for this first big step.
We empower young minds through...

The Joy of Discovery

Preschool is a time for discovery, and there's no shortage of magic in our early childhood experience. While our classrooms and schedules offer the comfort of routine, our flexible teaching methods inspire children to express themselves and embrace joy, curiosity, independence, and self-awareness. Additionally, ample outdoor time in our vibrant recreational spaces and nature walks in the nearby Twin Lakes open space provide opportunities for adventure and exploration outside of the classroom. 

Best Practices

Our teaching methods follow current best practices, blending unstructured play with purposeful instruction in key areas such as language arts, number concepts, science, social studies, self-help skills, fine and gross motor skills, and social-emotional development. This balanced approach supports the holistic growth of each child as they explore their place in the world.

Individual Attention

Small class sizes allow teachers to build meaningful relationships with each student as they nurture their strengths through focused, individualized attention. To ensure that every child is supported, we organically incorporate the formative assessment solution, Teaching Standards GOLD®, and regularly review it with parents.

Everyday Learning Opportunities

Learning opportunities occur in everyday experiences and interactions. Our preschool teachers lovingly guide and foster children’s social and emotional growth, with the understanding that learning to work in groups, share, make choices, and respectfully engage with others are life skills all children need to learn as they grow into their place in the world.

Nurturing Independence

Every day, children become a little more independent. By fostering this independence, we help them build confidence and problem-solving skills, which are essential for success in the real world. This foundation prepares them to navigate challenges, make decisions, and adapt to future opportunities.

Our Commitment to Faculty Excellence

Every member of our preschool teaching staff is committed and passionate about early childhood education. Preschool lead teachers have either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in early childhood or elementary education (or a degree in a different field and coursework in early childhood education). Preschool assistant teachers are all qualified early childhood teachers in the State of Colorado. BCD encourages professional growth by providing for ongoing professional development and continuing education.

Partnering with Parents

We partner with families to support their child's learning journey by offering ongoing assistance and hosting regular Parent Education Series events. Parental involvement is essential to student growth, as it strengthens the connection between home and school, reinforcing the importance of education and providing a consistent support system. Parents are always welcome and encouraged to actively participate in classroom activities, field trips, and school events, creating a collaborative environment that fosters the child's development both in and out of the classroom.

Being Part of Something Bigger

Our state-of-the-art PS-8 campus offers a beautiful, safe, and secure place for our youngest students to experience the magic of preschool while benefiting from being part of a broader school community. Our size also enables us to provide instruction for preschoolers in World Language (French and Spanish), Movement, Music, and Library, Art, and STEM, exceeding the offerings of other preschools in the area. Multi-age activities provide students with the opportunity to interact with positive role models, helping them develop important social and collaborative skills that are essential in real-world environments.

Student Ages

Young Preschool - students must be 2 ½ years old to start the program. The preferred cutoff is 2 ½ by October 31st.
 
Preschool - for toilet trained students who are 3 years old by September 30th and who will turn 4 during the year.
 
Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) - for students who are 4 by September 30th and who will turn 5 during the year.

Schedule Options

BCD’s preschool program welcomes students starting at age 2 ½ and runs through Pre-Kindergarten. 

Schedule Options:
3 days until 1:00pm
3 days until 3:00pm
5 days until 1:00pm
5 days until 3:00pm

BCD is a Colorado Universal Pre-K (UPK) Provider

All children in Colorado can now register for up to 15 hours per week of free, high-quality preschool in their year before kindergarten through Colorado’s Universal Pre-K (UPK) Program. Families are encouraged to contact BCD’s Chief Enrollment and Strategy Officer, Susan Boyle, directly with questions at sboyle@bouldercountryday.org or 303-516-4148.

UPK Enrollment Process per the Colorado Department of Early Childhood
Families looking to continue care with a known provider can pre-register a child who is currently enrolled, who has a sibling currently enrolled, or who has a parent or guardian currently employed with a Universal Preschool Provider. Families can register at upk.colorado.gov, select their current provider as their first choice, or work with their provider for a direct link, from February 29 through March 28, 2024.

Families looking for a new preschool provider can visit upk.colorado.gov to browse 2,000+ high-quality, licensed providers, see if they qualify for additional hours, and register to be matched with one of their top 10 providers of choice. Registration opens February 29 with family and provider “matching rounds” expected in April and July.

Families who have yet to register to Colorado Universal Preschool by the end of July will be able to work directly with a Universal Preschool Provider to enroll, through the end of the school year, as space allows.

More details can be found at:

Free Checklist - Preschool Choice Checklist

Overwhelmed by choosing a Preschool for your child? Unsure if you want an academic or a play-based environment? Download the attached free Guide to Preschool Choice for guidance.

Click here

Inside the classroom

Boulder Country Day School    4820 Nautilus Court North • Boulder, Colorado 80301 • Phone - 303.527.4931 • info@bouldercountryday.org
Boulder Country Day School is a leading private school serving students 2 ½ years old - 8th grade. In partnership with our outstanding faculty and committed families, we uphold the highest standard for our balanced educational experience. Through small class sizes and innovative engagement in a supportive environment, students at BCD learn to explore their strengths and apply them to the world. Guided by our values, we believe the empowered minds that graduate from BCD will be the ones to ignite global change.