Mountain Kids

How is Mountain Kids Preschool unique?
Gymnastics is included every week and taught by trained gymnastics instructors. (Normally a $97 class!) Research is abundant concerning the importance of physical activity in a child’s ability to learn. Our gymnastics classes develop balance and coordination and focus on improving large motor skills. We are one of the very few preschools in town that is not also a daycare, which means learning occurs throughout the entire time your child is here. The daycare centers in town have “preschool time” within their schedule. The problem with that is the teachers and kids have been there since 6:30 or 7:00 a.m. and will remain there for the rest of the day. No matter how hard these daycares try to have preschool, they still exist within a daycare environment. At Mountain Kids, our preschoolers are here for three hours, and it feels like school — not daycare.

Are you a developmental or academic preschool?
We are truly a mix of both. We are based on academics, but know that children learn at different rates, in different ways, and at their developmental level. Therefore, we are careful to work with kids as individuals and recognize where they are and what they need in order to work to their full potential.

What curriculum do you use?
The director of Mountain Kids taught kindergarten and first grade for many years before teaching preschool. She knows exactly what kids need to know in order to be successful in kindergarten and has written our curriculum to meet those needs. A particular focus rests on phonics, such as learning letter sounds and beginning reading skills. We also include basic learning, such as colors, shapes, numbers and math skills.

What does a typical preschool day look like?
We have a structured day that stays very consistent. Kids need and work well when their life is structured. Within that structure, the children have lots of choices, options, and control. A good example of these options exists in the table activity time. The kids are expected to do all three activities, but the order in which they do them and how long they spend at each is up to them.

How many kids are in a class?
The three-year-old classes have no more than 17 kids with two teachers. The four- and five-year-old classes have no more than 18 kids with two teachers.

What are your teachers’ qualifications?
Each room has a lead teacher and an assistant teacher. Lead teachers have a degree in Early Childhood Education with solid experience working with children. Assistant teachers must have solid experience working with children and are most often working towards a degree in Elementary Education and/or Early Childhood Education.

How do you discipline kids?
We start with a lot of discussions when disciplining a child. Many times, especially with three-year-olds, they really don’t know how to get a toy they want without grabbing or pushing, etc. We offer them suggestions of what they should do and/or say and immediately help them try it! If we have a continual problem, or someone gets hurt, the offender will have a time-out. The child sits in a chair, we set the timer (one minute per age of the child), and then we discuss with the child why they’re in time-out and what to do differently next time.

Do you offer any extra activities?
Yes! For an additional fee your child may participate in:
• Spanish Class
• Lunch Bunch
• Ballet Classes
• Ninja Classes

Please contact us if you have any further questions or you’d like to take a tour of our preschool and facility. If you’re ready to enroll your child in preschool, get started with Mountain Kids in Fort Collins today!

Mountain Preschool was founded in 1986 and is licensed by the State of Colorado.