Our Program
Mission Statement
At Tauxemont Cooperative Preschool, we believe that early childhood education is rooted in a child's surroundings and inspired by their innate curiosity, the wonder of nature, and trusted connection. Our Little School in the Woods is a place where children thrive, families belong, and community grows.
Values
- We respect children and believe deeply in their capabilities.
- We use a play-based, emergent curriculum shaped by children’s questions and discoveries.
- We support the development of the whole child through developmentally appropriate practice.
- We believe strong relationships with families are the foundation of our cooperative community.
- We honor nature, seasons, and place as essential teachers.
- We value curiosity, problem-solving, risk-taking, and flexible thinking.
- We practice kindness toward ourselves, others, and the environment.
- We are a community of learners—children, families, and educators—growing together.
Philosophy
At Tauxemont, families are active participants in their child’s first steps beyond home. When parents spend time in the classroom, join a field trip, lend a hand on a project, or engage in school conversations, children experience a powerful sense of connection, seeing that their home and school worlds are deeply linked. The relationships that grow between child, family, and school are intentional, meaningful, and truly unique.
Tauxemont also offers families a window into their child’s social world. You’ll see your child alongside peers, guided by thoughtful and nurturing teachers, engaging with materials and experiences that extend beyond what most homes can offer. Along the way, you may find that challenges that feel big at home are often part of typical development and shared by others. Through these moments, and through connection with other families, perspective grows. Even more importantly, so does a genuine sense of belonging.
Our community is strengthened by the time, talents, and perspectives of each family. Participation looks different for everyone, and all contributions are valued. Together, we create a learning environment that is rich, dynamic, and shaped by the people within it.
Our Program
At Tauxemont, we believe the early years are meant for exploration, connection, and growth. Our program focuses on the whole child through meaningful, developmentally appropriate experiences rather than formal academics. Each child follows their own developmental path within a connected and supportive community.
Preschool should allow children to:
- Discover that school is a happy place, that learning is fun and rewarding, and that teachers are understanding and stimulating human beings
- Learn how to work and play successfully with other children
- Learn to develop their own skills, talents and interests, and to expand each of these to the fullest extent
- Develop a sense of personal worth and an understanding of the needs and rights of others
- Develop a sense of excitement and interest in the world in which we live and an eagerness to learn more
How we foster child development:
- Provide a wide variety of activities geared to the proper age and skill level of the children
- Emphasize personal standards and pride of achievement and encourage the child to recognize that the process is as important as the product
- Encourage arts in addition to crafts, and dramatic and creative play in addition to organized games and activities
- Consider individual needs and different rates of development in children along with the aims of group activity and socialization
- Recognize that the most desirable discipline is self-discipline, and that encouragement and consistent standards are more effective than punishment in the development of self-discipline
- Offer a developmentally approporiate program with little use of formal devices, drills, and competitive learning