Come play with us!

Come play with us!

Come play with us!

A Play-Based Approach for Holistic Development

A developmentally appropriate, play-based preschool—so that your child is ready for their future, not just for school.

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Our philosophy

Our school is built upon the belief—born out by decades of research in the field of early childhood education—that a child’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development are best achieved through play. With over two centuries of collective experience, our teachers are able to craft rich, rewarding opportunities for exploration and growth.

Our school is built upon the belief—born out by decades of research in the field of early childhood education—that a child’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development are best achieved through play. With over two centuries of collective experience, our teachers are able to craft rich, rewarding opportunities for exploration and growth.

Our school is built upon the belief—born out by decades of research in the field of early childhood education—that a child’s cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development are best achieved through play. With over two centuries of collective experience, our teachers are able to craft rich, rewarding opportunities for exploration and growth.

Submit Your Application

Download Info Packet

What makes us different

Expert Teachers & Proven Outcomes

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Deeply Experienced Teachers

Your child will be guided by a teaching team with over two centuries of collective experience. Our teachers’ dedication, together with our low teacher/student ratios, ensures that each child receives individualized instruction for holistic development.

Deeply Experienced Teachers

Your child will be guided by a teaching team with over two centuries of collective experience. Our teachers’ dedication, together with our low teacher/student ratios, ensures that each child receives individualized instruction for holistic development.

Developing a Love for Nature

Children flow freely from our spacious schoolhouses to our lovely outdoor play yards - and the park-like setting of the Presidio offers a unique opportunity for children to learn about the natural world.

Developing a Love for Nature

Children flow freely from our spacious schoolhouses to our lovely outdoor play yards - and the park-like setting of the Presidio offers a unique opportunity for children to learn about the natural world.

Flexible Options to Meet Your Child’s Needs

We work closely with each family to determine the optimal path for their child's growth, offering a variety of schedule options.

Flexible Options to Meet Your Child’s Needs

We work closely with each family to determine the optimal path for their child's growth, offering a variety of schedule options.

How we learn

A Day in Our Play-Based Curriculum

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Toddler Program

Year 1

Creative Expression: Art room activities and dramatic play.

Physical & Sensory: Outside exploration with sand, water, and riding toys.

Social Skills: Daily routines that focus on negotiation, sharing, and self-regulation.

Core Foundation: Introduction to music, movement, and language arts.

Ages 1.5-3: Discovery

Toddler Program

Year 1

Creative Expression: Art room activities and dramatic play.

Physical & Sensory: Outside exploration with sand, water, and riding toys.

Social Skills: Daily routines that focus on negotiation, sharing, and self-regulation.

Core Foundation: Introduction to music, movement, and language arts.

Ages 1.5-3: Discovery

Preschool Program

Year 2

Social Development: Focus on cooperative play and deepening friendships.

Critical Thinking: Focused activities within smaller groups to expand complex ideas.

Nature Exploration: Walking field trips into the surrounding Presidio trails and forests.

Increased Autonomy: Experiential learning designed to enhance growing independence.

Ages 3-4: Autonomy

Preschool Program

Year 2

Social Development: Focus on cooperative play and deepening friendships.

Critical Thinking: Focused activities within smaller groups to expand complex ideas.

Nature Exploration: Walking field trips into the surrounding Presidio trails and forests.

Increased Autonomy: Experiential learning designed to enhance growing independence.

Ages 3-4: Autonomy

Ages 4-5: Competence

Year 3

Transitional Kindergarten

Readiness: Creating a stimulating environment that fosters self-competence.

Advanced Field Trips: Utilizing the "Presidigo" bus system for wide-ranging excursions throughout the city.

Collaborative Learning: Working independently and in groups to clarify, organize, and extend explorations.

How your child will grow

Developing the Whole Child

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Developing Character Through a Spiritual Framework

We believe true readiness involves developing the whole child. We embrace the value of developing virtues such as kindness, generosity, and forgiveness within a supportive spiritual framework.

Developing a Love for Nature Through the Presidio's Wonders

Our historic schoolhouses are surrounded by the natural beauty of the Presidio. Children flow freely to our lovely outdoor play yards and engage in walking field trips to discover the natural world. This deep love for nature builds resilience, supports cognitive development, and provides a joyful, stimulating learning environment.

Testimonials

What parents say about Serra Preschool

Jov B.

"Serra preschool has been a gem of an experience and perfect fit for my values to connect and operate with community. It's a parent participation preschool which means it's affordable and that the experience gets richer with each family contribution."

Emily B.

"As a new parent, we did not realize how much time you lose with you little ones, once they start school. It really shows how important it is to trust where you send them, and we could not have picked a better place than The Serra Preschool."

Marie C.

"The teachers here are irreplaceable and our daughter runs into their arms daily. This is a school where children are instilled with the early tools that will guide them through life - in a most beautiful, serene Presidio setting, to boot!!"

Jov B.

"Serra preschool has been a gem of an experience and perfect fit for my values to connect and operate with community. It's a parent participation preschool which means it's affordable and that the experience gets richer with each family contribution."

Marie C.

"The teachers here are irreplaceable and our daughter runs into their arms daily. This is a school where children are instilled with the early tools that will guide them through life - in a most beautiful, serene Presidio setting, to boot!!"

Emily B.

"As a new parent, we did not realize how much time you lose with you little ones, once they start school. It really shows how important it is to trust where you send them, and we could not have picked a better place than The Serra Preschool."

Jov B.

"Serra preschool has been a gem of an experience and perfect fit for my values to connect and operate with community. It's a parent participation preschool which means it's affordable and that the experience gets richer with each family contribution."

Emily B.

"As a new parent, we did not realize how much time you lose with you little ones, once they start school. It really shows how important it is to trust where you send them, and we could not have picked a better place than The Serra Preschool."

Marie C.

"The teachers here are irreplaceable and our daughter runs into their arms daily. This is a school where children are instilled with the early tools that will guide them through life - in a most beautiful, serene Presidio setting, to boot!!"

Now enrolling

Invest in the best start for your child

Invest in the best start for your child

At Serra, every detail is designed to nurture your child’s growth in meaningful, lasting ways. Touring our campus is the best way to experience how our thoughtfully restored spaces, expert educators, and play-based philosophy come together.

At Serra, every detail is designed to nurture your child’s growth in meaningful, lasting ways. Touring our campus is the best way to experience how our thoughtfully restored spaces, expert educators, and play-based philosophy come together.

Submit Your Application

What to know

Have more questions about the Serra Preschool?

Have more questions about the Serra Preschool?

Ask our Enrollment Team!

Why don't you offer in-person campus tours before applying?

What flexible scheduling options do you offer to support working families?

We work closely with each family to determine the optimal path that meets both the child's developmental needs and your logistical requirements.

What is the Admissions process and when should I apply?

Where have Serra alumns been admitted to?