A Different Approach to Early Childhood Learning

We are inspired by many philosophies, but the fundamentals of the Reggio Emilia approach to early childhood education are weaved into Preschool Powered by Play. We focus on people, not stuff, and believe in cultivating the wonder and curiosity of children to promote their independent thinking and exploring. In comparison to other early learning philosophies, the Reggio Emilia approach centers on collaborative, flexible, and emergent learning. You can learn more about how the schools of Reggio Emilia inspire Greentrike programs here. 

Preschool level classes at the Proctor and Children’s Museum of Tacoma campuses enjoy an exclusive monthly play day at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma during closed-to-the-public hours. These monthly opportunities for exploration, play, and creativity reinforce the play-based nature of our classrooms. 

Preschool Powered by Play families also receive membership to Greentrike Children’s Museums, reserved parking at the Children’s Museum of Tacoma, member-only museum hours and programming, discounts, and more.

Preschool Powered by Play classrooms are creative and play-based. The environment supports children’s agency and creative capacities, as teachers listen and observe children’s interests to facilitate experiences that build on innate wonder. Skill development is enhanced through playful discovery and fostering relationships.

Facilitators listen, observe, and provoke thoughtful investigations to follow the emergent interests of children within carefully designed play-based learning classrooms.

Daily studio time encourages child-directed, choice-driven creation and centers the process over the end product. Children are given space to ask questions, make mistakes, and embrace imagination, experimentation, and play. 

Our Preschool classes serve children ages 3 to 5, and our Toddler offerings serve children ages 2 to 3. Mixed-age classrooms promote social and emotional understanding and allow children to move through concepts at their own pace.

Each classroom is led by two educators, ensuring high quality care and guidance. Many of our educators are longtime Preschool Powered by Play partners, operating with a deep understanding of child development, rooting in our program philosophy and engaging in continued learning and improvement. 

Children enjoy big body, outdoor play at both campuses each day and are encouraged to engage with nature inside and outside of the classroom. Nature-inspired provocations in the classroom give children the opportunity to further explore authentic materials. 

Preschool Powered by Play’s teachers deepen their understanding of the children they serve through observation, documentation, and reflection. Facilitators walk around with journals to record observations on the skills children are learning, and anything else that helps make individual learning more visible. Reflections are regularly shared back with the children in everyday conversation and with their caregivers in learning portfolios.

Registration information for the 2023-2024 school year – including class offerings, tuition rates, and open house dates – is now available for viewing here.