Jill Giles, DirectorIt believes kindergarten readiness begins with confidence, curiosity and resilience. Rather than relying on desk-based instruction and worksheets, the school creates meaningful experiences where children ask questions, solve problems and discover their own abilities.
More than a preschool, it functions as an extension of the family. Teachers partner closely with families to develop consistent strategies that help children navigate transitions, build emotional regulation and feel secure across home and school. This approach helps children feel secure across both environments.
“We believe that children thrive when families and educators work together,” says Jill Giles, director.
As a Christian preschool, faith is woven into the foundation and guides how teachers nurture children every day. Through Bible stories and worship, children are encouraged to practice kindness, compassion, gratitude, forgiveness, respect and love for others.
Building Foundational Skills through Daily Experiences
Adventure Days Preschool emphasizes outdoor play and social-emotional development through cooperative play, classroom responsibilities and community activities.
Teachers intentionally design play environments, observe children's interests, ask open-ended questions and introduce new vocabulary while children lead their own learning. For example, when children build structures with blocks, they explore concepts such as balance, gravity and spatial awareness, while strengthening their communication and teamwork skills.
Through dramatic play, children take on real-world roles and scenarios such as running a restaurant or a veterinarian clinic, strengthening language, early literacy, math and creativity.
Children learn to take responsibility by following routines, making choices, caring for their belongings and advocating for their needs. These everyday skills help children transition into more structured kindergarten environments.
The play-based learning model helps children build confidence and independence, while also creating opportunities for them to develop and express their individuality. Along with daily routines, teachers adapt activities to each child’s interests and needs. Its staff recognizes that success looks different for each child and celebrates the small moments of growth.
A strong sense of community balances this individualized approach. Children learn to listen to others, take turns, participate in group activities, respect different perspectives and contribute to shared experiences.
Lessons for Life beyond School
At Adventure Days Preschool, emotional regulation is treated as an essential life skill. Teachers encourage children to express their feelings and manage frustrations.
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We believe that children thrive when families and educators work together.
In moments of conflict, teachers respond with strategies that build lifelong social-emotional skills rather than simply address behavior. They are trained to see challenging behavior as an opportunity to identify the skill a child is still developing, helping children feel safe before guiding them through problem-solving and conflict resolution.
Its practices are grounded in Conscious Discipline, a research-based social-emotional learning framework that emphasizes self-regulation and connection, fostering empathy, kindness and mutual respect.
Evolving with Purpose
Adventure Days Preschool has navigated evolving needs and community expectations while remaining rooted in its educational model. It balances innovation with tradition by embracing new research and strengthening safety measures for a more personalized preschool experience.
Post-pandemic, it saw increased social-emotional needs, concerns about mental health and resilience and a growing desire from families for connection and community. In response, the school strengthened its focus on Conscious Discipline and relationship-based teaching.
While its practices continue to evolve, the school remains rooted in helping children feel known, supported and encouraged to explore. That sense of belonging has fostered lasting relationships, with many families returning with younger siblings and some former students later enrolling their own children.
For Adventure Days Preschool, the early years are not simply the beginning of a child's education but the beginning of developing confidence, character, faith and meaningful relationships. By nurturing these qualities alongside academic growth, the school continues to shape children who are prepared not only for kindergarten but for life.
