Benefits of Preschool in a Pre–Grade 8 School

It’s your child’s first time in a classroom! How does their preschool experience help build the foundation for the rest of their educational journey? Investing in a preschool program that connects your child to a broader school community can help build routines and relationships that ease their transition to kindergarten—and beyond.

Here are four ways you and your child will benefit from a preschool program at Children’s Day School (CDS):

At CDS, younger and older students regularly connect through buddy programs, school-wide celebrations, Friday Assemblies, and other events. Preschoolers have playtime with their eighth grade buddies, enjoy morning meetings with our fourth grade leadership teams, and partner up with their buddies during assemblies, special events, and service projects. These relationships help preschoolers become a part of the larger CDS community. They gain confidence as they are welcomed by familiar older friends around campus. 

Meanwhile, older students sharpen their leadership skills, learning how to nurture, guide, and inspire their younger peers. Research shows that middle schoolers in Pre–8 schools benefit from this leadership role, gaining confidence, independence, and a sense of responsibility. They aren’t lost in a crowd of high schoolers; instead, they step up as mentors, helpers, and role models for younger students. It’s hard to imagine, but soon your child will be stepping into this role, becoming the buddy they once had to a future preschooler!

Intentional, nurturing early childhood programs have been shown to support the mental and physical development of children, with impacts that last long beyond the preschool years. At CDS, preschoolers learn and grow through a competency-based curriculum that builds essential skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication.

From their earliest years, CDS students learn to investigate with curiosity, navigate conflict with compassion, and engage meaningfully with their community. Teachers intentionally weave these competencies into play-based lessons, helping students practice and demonstrate these skills at developmentally appropriate levels in a safe, caring environment. For example, preschoolers recently began their lessons in using data strategically through an in-depth inquiry into eyes, using early math skills and graphing to create charts to compare and contrast their observations.

While CDS preschoolers enjoy their own dedicated building, their learning experience extends beyond their classroom. They venture out for farm and garden explorations, assemblies, recess, and other celebrations on the Preschool-Grade 4 campus at 333 Dolores. Along the way, they get to know their future teachers, get comfortable in shared spaces, and understand the rhythms of life at CDS. By the time they move into kindergarten, the campus already feels like home. This familiarity helps ease transitions and fosters a strong sense of belonging—one of the hallmarks of a CDS education.

CDS kindergarten is part of our Early Childhood Program. Kindergarten at CDS is deeply connected to the principles of learning through play and led by our ECP Director, Antonette Greene, which also helps ease the transition from preschool into kindergarten.

At CDS, we intentionally build a diverse, inclusive, and down-to-earth school community where families, educators, and students work together to nurture the next generation. From your child's earliest days in preschool, you gain not only a trusted partner in parenting but also a circle of families who share your values and are invested in growing together.

We create many opportunities for families to connect, including our popular parent coffees where CDS educators and counselors share insights on developmental milestones and parents exchange strategies and support one another. These gatherings build meaningful relationships and foster a spirit of collaboration, ensuring you feel as much a part of the CDS community as your child does.


A community that grows with your child

A Preschool-Grade 8 education at CDS gives your child the confidence that comes from being known and nurtured throughout their formative years. From their first friendships with older buddies to their turn as an eighth grade leader, they experience a learning journey built on nine key competencies in a community-oriented school where parents and educators come together to support who CDS students are becoming. 

Learn more about our Early Childhood Program.