About Early Horizons
Our Beginning
Early Horizons was established in 1984 by Shelly Bokman and Sue Leto Cole, who both have their Bachelor's & Master's Degree in Child Development. Together they recognized a need for quality care and education of young children, as well as support for their families.
After 40 years of dedicated service, the founders of Early Horizons Preschool have decided to announce that the business is continuing its legacy under the capable leadership of our dear friends and directors, Kylee, Stefanie, and Nito, starting January 2024. Committed to maintaining the excellence that has defined our center, Kylee, Stefanie, and Nito are steadfast in their commitment to keeping operations unchanged and upholding the highest standards of childcare, ensuring that our center remains a beacon of quality care for years to come.
Our Infant Program
The warmth of our caregivers is complemented by our specially designed indoor and outdoor environment. A variety of sights, sounds, and textures invite babies to explore in our safe setting. Our homelike atmosphere and consistent staff supports your baby’s need for emotional security.
Using the RIE method, established by Magda Gerber, even the youngest child is treated respectfully and at their own developmental level. We do not use bouncers, swings, or playpens. At Early Horizons, children are rocked and held by their caregivers. Every child is given a primary caregiver to care for them throughout the day. Your baby will thrive in the security and consistency we offer. To keep you informed about your child’s day, we routinely record your child’s naps, eating, and activities through the app called ProCare so that you can see what and how they’re doing in real time.
Our Toddler Program
From those wobbly steps of a one-year-old to the confident gait of a two-year-old, the toddler years are both exciting and challenging. Our toddler curriculum recognizes that children in this stage are learning through movement and hands-on exploration. We offer plenty of opportunity and space for running, climbing, and jumping, as well as dramatic play, sensory art experiences, music, and stories. We encourage the language and listening skills that children need to transition into our preschool program.
Preschool
Pre-K
Our Preschool & Pre-K Program
Early Horizons uses the “Life Start Preschool Curriculum.” This approach combines hands-on learning and basic academic skills. Children learn from interacting with materials and the world around them. Our daily lesson plans include a variety of engaging activities that develop basic cognitive skills as well as large & small motor skills. These include: pre-reading and writing activities, dramatic play, block building and manipulatives, fine motor activities, science, cooking, gardening, language (stories, fingerplays, listening activities) music and singing, manipulative math, art, and cultural and social awareness.
Parents remain involved in learning by helping with weekly activities sent home in their child’s “homework folder.”*
*Pre-K students only
Early Horizons offers multiple classrooms for the preschool age group (ages 2-5 years). These classrooms implement the same curriculum, basic structure, and nurturing care, to meet children at their developmental age level.
At the preschool level Early Horizons' curriculum is a balance between independent play and gentle guidance in an environment rich with choices. By providing children with activities that match their developmental needs and energy level, learning occurs easily and naturally.
We prepare children for mastering basic skills by developing strong "pre-skills". To support a love for reading and writing, Early Horizons' teachers spend time reading to children and offer books for them to read on their own. We use their written name throughout the day and write other words for them so they can see their thoughts written down. To develop early mathematical skills, we first develop an understanding for one-to-one correspondence. Counting by rote to 100 does not show a significant developmental leap if they are not yet able to count out two separate objects. For science, we hope to instill a sense of curiosity, which allows children to explore and question their world. We plan an extensive daily curriculum with lesson plans that include a variety of activities that develop basic cognitive skills as well as gross and fine motor skills. Each classroom has a copy of their lesson plan available to you, so you can see what your child is enjoying each day.
Teachers keep in touch with parents throughout the day using an app and a posted daily info sheet, as well as in depth verbal communication at the start and end of each day.
Our School Age & After School Program
We believe that school-age children need a safe, homelike atmosphere in which to spend their out-of- school experience hours. We give your child a variety of opportunities to experience success and master new skills. Children are allowed to use their time in positive and productive ways: Sports & Games, Nature & Gardening, Arts & Crafts, Music & Dance, Free Reading, Dramatic Play, Field Trips, Homework Time, Computer & iPad Play, Science Projects, etc.
We stay open year-round with some holiday camps, and a full summer program, where our school age classroom transforms into an exciting well-rounded day camp. Activities include educational field trips with exciting destinations, special classes, and extended craft projects. Our school-age summer camp is so popular that many children just come for our summer program.
Early Horizons Preschool operates in compliance with The State of California's Community Care Licensing regulations - License #434417149.
Early Horizons' Closure Dates for 2024
Monday, January 1st - New Year’s Day
Monday, January 15th - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Monday, February 19th - Presidents’ Day
Friday, March 22nd - Teacher In-Service Day
Monday, May 27th - Memorial Day
Wednesday, June 19th - Juneteenth
Thursday and Friday, July 4th & 5th - Independence Day
Monday, September 2nd - Labor Day
Friday & Monday, October 11th & October 14th - Teacher In-Service Day & Indigenous People’s Day
Thursday, November 28th & 29th - Thanksgiving Break
Monday, December 23rd thru Wednesday, January 1st - Winter Break (will return Thursday, January 2nd, 2025)
Tuition is based on an annual fee broken into 12 equal monthly increments. Therefore, no credit will be given for days that Early Horizons is closed or for days that you may miss.
We look forward to a wonderful year!