Little School of the Redwoods is a full-day preschool located near the campus of Del Norte College of the Redwoods in Crescent City, California. Open Monday through Friday 7:45 am to 5:15 pm.

Little School of the Redwoods is inspired by two approaches.  The Montessori Method and the Reggio Emilia approach.  We feel that by offering these two very different but complementary educational methodologies, we provide students with a well-rounded curriculum and parents with a wide range of choices.

Parent driven

Little School of the Redwoods is a parent-driven school: designed, inspired, and guided by parents who want an innovative, play-based experience for our children reflecting best practices in early childhood education.  Our curriculum emphasizes the value of tolerance, the appreciation of diverse perspectives, and the importance of civic virtue.

Because we're parent driven we believe our school community is unique and an important part of providing a well-rounded learning experience. We welcome parents into the classroom and encourage you and your family to become part of the Little School community. Parents have formal input into the administration of the school through the Parent Advisory Group (PAG). The PAG helps us respond to the needs of families and ensures our school remains true to the vision of the community we serve. 

"I enjoy being part of the Parent Group. It has been a community of support for me as a parent of a preschooler!"- Parent

Learning styles

We are inspired by the Montessori Method and the Reggio Emilia approach.

"Our child has so many fun and creative projects- especially science and art. I really love the student portfolio so I know what my child is learning and how she is preparing for kindergarten." - Parent

The Montessori Method assists children in developing concentration, order, and coordination to move toward independence and develop self-esteem.  It improves the behavior of children, increases their happiness, and love of learning.  It is based on a sensible balance between freedom and structure specifically designed for the young child.  It has several key elements.  They are structure and order, reality and nature, and the Montessori materials.

The Reggio Emilia approach to teaching young children puts the natural development of the children as well as the close relationships that they share with their environment at the center of its philosophy.  This approach is based on the principles of respect, responsibility, and community through exploration and discovery in a supportive and enriching environment.

Although we are not an official school of either method our parent community designed our school to use the best of both methods.

"I love that the teachers work with groups of students, and also individuals one on one. I know that my son's teacher really knows and cares about my kid, and my family. You feel that attention here at Little School." - Parent

Who we serve

Little School is open to everyone and we are the only secular, non-income based preschool option in Del Norte County. Our fees are based on a sliding scale depending on income and we help parents and families apply for subsidies where they are available. We also have tuition scholarships available if you're in the healthcare field or studying toward working in healthcare.

We enroll preschool-aged children 2.5- 5 years of age for the Fall/Spring school year, as well as School Aged Children 5-8 years of age during the Summer Program. 

"Parents are always welcome at school. I love that we are invited to participate in fun activities like house building, or monthly theme activities, but also that we are always welcome to just come and watch our child anytime."- Parent

Monthly fees for a full-time all-day student are $750 per month and reduce depending on income and whether your child is a half-day or full-day student. We do not offer hourly daycare services.

"When we enrolled at Little School of the Redwoods, we felt our whole family was welcomed and included in this school community. The enrollment process was very easy." - Parent

When are we open? 

Little School operates year-round so you can be sure you're receiving the best education experience possible; and in a way that suits your schedule. We operate Monday - Friday from 7:45 am to 5:15 pm. We're closed on some public holidays and we will let you know in advance when we are closed for staff learning and development.

During the Spring/ Fall School Year, we are open for preschool-aged children 2-5 years of age. During the summer months June-August we are open for our Summer Program which accepts children 2-8 years of age. 

Where Can You Find Us? 

We're located at 860 Small Avenue, Crescent City CA 95531 near the College of the Redwoods, Del Norte campus. Our site offers two classrooms and an outdoor play space with a bike track, play equipment, a garden, and a greenhouse. Organic food production, composting, and gardening are part of our hands-on curriculum. 

"Our child loves the outdoor time in the garden! We love that he is learning to eat veggies the children actually grew themselves!" - Parent