Our Classes

We offer three classes. Our Chipmunk class is our youngest group, ages 18 months to 3 years old. Our Otter class are ages 3-4 years old and our Orca class are ages 4-5 years old. 

Chipmunk

Children in this group are sometimes learning to play with or even near other children their age for the first time. Solitary play is usually the type of play 2-3 years old begin with; Completely engrossed in play but perhaps not noticing others.
Social/Emotional interaction plays a huge roll with this age group; learning about their own feelings and the feelings of their peers. Taking turns/sharing is a huge aspect for this group to learn. They eventually get there by using their words to get this need met. Preschool for this age group may look like all fun and games (music, story time, dancing, art) but there is an intense amount of brain work going on.
Young children learn through play and creative activity, we offer building blocks and train tracks that aren't just entertaining; they're teaching problem solving and physics.
Preschool is also a time for developing good learning habits and positive self-esteem. We work on name recognition and identifying our peers by name. We count out crackers at snack time, and identify those items by name. Story time is a popular time for this group as is music time.

Our chipmunk class is every Tuesday & Thursday from 9-11:30am.
Tuition is $120 per month.
Class size: 8 children
1 Teacher, 2-3 parent helpers
*children do not need to be toilet trained

Otter

During this stage of development, children have acquired language/words but are still building on using them appropriately with their peers. Children in this age group begin playing using “onlooker play”. This play consists of them being interested in how their peers are playing, but not asking to join in, although they may ask questions about they play they
are observing. Towards the end of the year, they will engage in “associative play and cooperative play”, They will be more interested in their peers rather than toys but have strong social interaction which leads to play with a goal and being able to play in a
group.
Children will learn to recognize and name all 26 uppercase letters. They will recognize their own first name and be able to print it, along with a few other letters and words like.
Preschool children will also develop a connection between letters and sounds and know some of the sounds that letters make, they will also learn or continue to learn the names of many colors, basic shapes, and body parts. Our Teacher will also help your child learn to recognize and identify the numbers 1 through 10 and correctly count 10 or more objects. Learning what numerals 0 to 9 look like and being able to name them correctly is one of the first math skills preschoolers learn. Counting is a separate skill that usually starts with memorization; Children will memorize the order of numbers and say them proudly as they "count" objects. As they advance, they will learn that the numbers and objects actually correspond. We work on building hand strength/small motor and hand-eye coordination, as these aspects develop, they will start drawing and coloring more than just scribbles and will learn to use various writing and art mediums to make shapes, people, and objects.

Our Otter class is every Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 9-11:30am.
Tuition is $175 per month.
Class size: 10 children
1 Teacher, 2 parent helpers
​*children do not need to be toilet trained

Orca

Our “future Kindergartners” are developing important social skills necessary before starting kindergarten; preschoolers will learn how to share and cooperate, to work together and take turns, to participate in group activities and follow simple directions, and to communicate their wants and needs. This age group has typically reached the “associative play” area; a strong interest in one another and engaging in strong social situations. and have moved onto the “cooperative play” area in which their play has reached a new level of having meaning, adopting strong roles, and acting as a group. They will use these skills on a daily basis with their peers.
Our preschoolers will learn to recognize and name all 26 uppercase letters along with some lowercase letters. They will recognize their own first name, names of peers, and be able to print it, along with other letters and meaningful words like Mom, Dad, and love. Preschool children will also develop a connection between letters and sounds and know some of the sounds that letters make while being able to find items in the room that begin with a specific letter or sound.
Before entering kindergarten, we teach our children to cut safely with scissors and use the proper “pincer” grasp when holding a crayon, marker, or pencil. Our children learn math concepts through games, blocks, counters, and books. Literacy is around our children every day in class as we have a story circle, a library, and environmental print on display throughout our room.

Our Orca class is every Monday, Wednesday & Friday from 12:30-3pm.
Tuition is $175 per month.
Class size: 12 children
1 Teacher, 2 parent helpers
*children do not need to be toilet trained

Areas in our room and what we learn in them

 Blocks – In this area, children learn about size, shape and balance. They make plans and problem solve as they build. Children also engage in socializing and begin learning early foundations of math skills.

 Dramatic Play – Dramatic play offers children an opportunity to lean and practice social skills such as taking turns, associative play, acting out a role model, etc. They practice different roles while having fun learning about the world around them.

 Science – Children can learn about science throughout the classroom. They observe growth, changes, and many new concepts each day. Children experiment with magnifying glasses, motion bottles, and a fish tank along with many other activities that occur both emergently and planned.

 Sensory Table – Here, children explore through touch and smell. They also develop fine motor, language, and social skills.

 Music – Children learn an appreciation for music. Skills developed are listening, rhythm, language, and singing. Large motor skills are also being used while dancing and clapping. Small motor skills are also being defined while children hold a musical device such as a tambourine, shaker, bean bag or scarf.

 Manipulatives – While using manipulative toys, children have an opportunity to increase their finger dexterity, hand-eye coordination and fine motor control. Children also develop social, thinking, and problem solving skills.

 Library – Here, children have an opportunity to enter the wonderful world of books! Children learn about the world around them, feelings, cultures, diversity and an array of other subjects. Language and social skills are also strengthened in this process.

Field Trips

Class field trips vary depending upon the age of the class and parent availability. In general, the classes take trips to the pumpkin patch, the Kennedy Creek salmon run (older classes), bakery, post office, fire station, dentist, the annual Olympia Arts Walk, farmer's market, and children's museums.
Teachers often invite guest speakers and parents to share their experiences or talents with the classes. In years past, children have had visits from firefighters, tooth fairies, theater groups, musicians, veterinarians, chefs -- just about any talent or special interest parents and community members are willing to share with our children.
Siblings are sometimes allowed on class field trips, depending upon the venue and focus of the trip. A trip to the pumpkin patch would be open to siblings. A trip to the bakery would likely not include siblings (usually at the bakery's request) because of the size of the group.
​Classes also get together on non-school days for special events, such as children's plays, playgroups, birthday parties, train rides, or park trips. While these events are voluntary and not associated with the preschool, we do encourage families to gather for play time outside school.

Steamboat Cooperative Preschool
​6240 41st Ave NW Olympia, WA 98502
​360-866-1819