Great Expectations Preschool

Great Chefs and Wineries is almost here! Purchase your tickets to celebrate our community today. We hope that you will join us for culinary delights, world-class wine, and epic entertainment on Saturday, May 6th as we raise funds to ensure that Lifehouse is able to continue its vital mission and commitment to our community! More details and tickets are available at gcw2023.givesmart.com.

Come visit Great Expectations Preschool for our Open House on Wednesday, April 19th from 4:30-6:00pm.

Do you like green eggs and ham? See what we've been up to at Great Expectations Preschool!

April Newsletter — Great Expectations Preschool Last month the children investigated what green eggs and ham tasted like as part of our Dr. Seuss theme and St. Patrick's Day celebration. We also learned where farm animals live and what sounds they make, to name a few fun activities. During April, we will travel to the zoo in our classroom. The c

Great Expectations is hosting an Open House on Wednesday, April 19th from 4:30pm-6:00pm.
Please come visit and speak to Jeanine Schock our school director.

Are you looking to enroll your young child in preschool? Look no further than Great Expectations. We have openings for general education placements for this Fall. We'd love to meet you and your young learner!
Please RSVP with Preschool Director, Jeanine Schock by calling 415.499.5892

Pumpkin time! Here at Great Expectations we love play based learning, and what better time of year than to make Pumpkin Slime! Check out Little Bins for Little Hands for some fun pumpkin-themed activities.

Interested in play based learning for your child? DM us to learn more about Great Expectations!

Pumpkin Activities Mini Pack No description

Great Expectations Preschool started the new school year on August 18th with many new activities planned for the students. We have an amazing new special education teacher, Ilham Stropes, who is a great addition to the team. To continue our mission of fostering an inclusive environment for children of all abilities, Elizabeth Jones, Preschool Director, and her team will be attending trainings on Integrated Therapy. These trainings, which will happen throughout the fall, will help us learn more about combining General Education and Special Education in a collaborative space. This method integrates both curriculums so that all learners can benefit.

Our focus on friendship and community that comes from this inclusive model is at the core of our structure. The preschool has a new gardening program where the children plant seeds together. We now have pumpkins, corn, and other vegetables planted, which will be ready for harvest this fall. The children will harvest the vegetables together and learn about teamwork and community!

School starts next week and we are getting ready! Fall is in the air, so it's time for some apple picking. Bring some apples into your child's education and sensory play.

Interested in play based learning for your child? DM us to learn more about Great Expectations!

Parts Of An Apple Activity - Little Bins for Little Hands Cut open an apple for a simple preschool apple science lesson. Engage the five senses as you learn about how an apple grows. Perfect Fall science for kids!

Open for Enrollment!

Sponsored: Join Great Expectations This Fall!

Looking for the right preschool for your child? Here is some evidence-backed advice from Harvard Graduate School of Education.

How to Pick a Preschool If your child is headed to preschool next year, you’re not alone if you feel overwhelmed as you navigate the selection process. Cities and states have a diverse and dizzying array of programs: Head Start and other government-funded programs for low-income families; private programs of many stripes...

The benefits of sensory learning through finger painting are countless! Improving fine motor skills by strengthening fingers and hands, emotional development through play and the senses of touch and smell to name a few! Try this simple finger paint recipe: ½ tsp salt, ½ c. cornstarch, 2 c. water, 2 tbsp liquid dish soap, & gel food coloring; Combine all in a medium saucepan, cook over medium heat until thickens then turn heat off, will thicken more when cooling, Divide mixture into separate containers, then add coloring as desired and stir.

Always learning. Always growing. Grateful for the opportunity to create an environment where young children of all abilities can build a positive self-image and recognize that everyone has something to contribute.

We are now enrolling for Fall 2022- Do miss out on this unique and powerful program for your young child!

Looking for something fun to do outdoors with your little ones? Summer Concerts in the Garden are where it's at! Every Thursday night this July, 5–7pm at the Marin Art and Garden Center.
https://maringarden.org/summer-concerts-2022/

Summer Concerts 2022 - Marin Art and Garden Center Every Thursday in July, join us for music, food trucks, KidZone and more, 5-7 pm in Ross. Check out the band lineup and purchase tickets.

We are excited to see what's in store for the 2022-2023 school year- Find out how our play based program can be a powerful springboard for your young child!

We are open for enrollment and excited to hear from you!
For more information about our unique program please visit: www.greatexpectationsmarin.org

Using sensory play for math and literacy is a wonderful and FUN way to learn! Alphabet sensory play is great for early learning. As summer is here and you’re spending more time at home with your children, here are some creative ways to practice letters and recognition! https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/alphabet-sensory-play/

Please Join us this Fall!

Sponsored: Join Great Expectations This Fall!

https://mailchi.mp/marinmommies/great-expectations-2022

Sensory activities are a great way to develop play skills with your young child. Great for both social play and independent play, sensory activities allow children to play cooperatively or side by side. The students at Great Expectations have had many positive experiences over a tray picked from nature with other children!

https://littlebinsforlittlehands.com/portable-sensory-bins-fine-motor-skills-play/

Celebrating all of the graduates from this year. Great adventure lies ahead for these wonderful kiddos! "Oh the places you'll go!"

Join us for the 2022-2023 school year!

A Powerful Springboard for the Future of Your Child Sponsored: Great Expectations, Marin’s first inclusive preschool, just wrapped up its forth school year and is currently enrolling students for 2022-2023.

Thank you to Helen Brame and Bank of Marin for being the official Preschool Sponsors of Great Chefs and Wineries this year. We are grateful for your support to ensure that young individuals of all abilities have a powerful springboard to their early education.

Grateful for this amazing community that lifts us up! A special thanks to Clifford for his donations of books and toys to the Great Expectations program! His support will help support the next generation of young learners.

:: Clifford has been supported by Lifehouse for almost 25 years! His love this this community shines through as he donates some of his childhood books and toys to the Great Expectations Marin Inclusive Preschool program. Thank you Clifford!

Advocating for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities means supporting this traditionally unseen community, starting at the education level.
"Increasing funding for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act so that every eligible child with a disability can access a free, appropriate public education,” Cardona said. “It means not allowing for a culture of low standards or low expectations for some students and families over others."

Education Secretary Calls For Increased Funding For IDEA U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona is pushing for more funding to meet the needs of students with disabilities and to support special education teachers.

:: Always learning. Always growing. Grateful for the opportunity to create an environment where young children of all abilities can build a positive self-image and recognize that everyone has something to contribute. What are you thankful for this holiday season?

A special feature on Marin Mommies! We are excited to see what's in store for the 2021-2022 school year- Find out how our play based program can be a powerful springboard for your young child!

Great Expectations Preschool Now Enrolling for 2021-2022 Sponsored: Great Expectations, Marin’s first inclusive preschool, just wrapped up its third school year and is currently enrolling students for 2021-2022.

:: "Teaching kids to count is fine, but teaching them what counts is best." - Bob Talbert

Congratulations to these amazing kiddos! This past year came with more challenges than we could ever have imagined but their determination and resilience shined through. Upwards and onwards!

Change can be scary but usually leads to something beautiful!

:: Teachers plant the seeds of knowledge that will grow forever. In a year of so many uncertainties, our teachers at Great Expectations Inclusive Preschool have shown immense strength and optimism. They provided a safe, healthy, and joyful environment for our these young minds to thrive. We are so grateful for all that you do- Thank you Anna, Corrina, Ashley, and Lynn!⠀⠀⠀