Early Childhood Program

Princeton Junior School’s Early Childhood Program nurtures social, emotional, physical, and academic growth. In our mixed-age classrooms, intentional play and guided learning build confidence, self-awareness, critical thinking, and a lifelong joy of learning. Flexible enrollment includes half-day, full-day, and after-school programs.

Class Options

REGGIO EMILIA

The Reggio Emilia early education approach views children as naturally capable, curious, and driven to explore complex topics deeply. Rather than viewing students as "empty vessels," teachers act as collaborative guides—using observations, discussions, and student choices to help refine their hypotheses and problem-solving skills. Outdoor exploration and integrating nature into the classroom are central to the learning process.

IB PRIMARY YEARS PROGRAM (PYP)

Children learn best when what they are learning is meaningful, interesting and relevant to their lives.  As a result, literacy development, math exploration, science and social studies are taught to our youngest students within a unit of investigation.  These units will typically last 4-6 weeks and include collaboration with all of our specialist teachers. Through the framework of the International Baccalaureate PYP, teachers encourage our early childhood students to wonder and ask questions, supporting their development through classroom projects and explorations.  

Our Reggio Class (ages 2 - 3.5) offers enrollment options of 5 days (M-F), 3 days (M-W), or 2 days (Th, Fri) per week. Students can be dropped off anywhere between 8-9am, and picked up at noon. Families interested in full day coverage can add the Afternoon Program, which runs from 12:00pm - 2:45pm. Afternoon Program coverage is flexible and can be added anywhere from 1-5 days per week as needed.

Our Preschool Class (ages 3.5 - 5) is 5 mornings per week. Students can be dropped off anywhere between 8-9am, and picked up at noon.

Our ECP Afternoon Program (12:00 PM – 2:45 PM) provides a calm, nourishing space for lunch, social connection, and peaceful rest with soft music, quiet stories, or meditation. Children then engage in diverse activities—including yoga, art projects, building, and outdoor play across our natural campus. Available 1–5 days per week for any morning-enrolled ECP student, it seamlessly transitions into our Extended Day Program (2:45 PM – 6:00 PM) for families needing full-day care.

Areas of Development

The child is made of one hundred
The child has;
A hundred languages
A hundred hands
A hundred thoughts
A hundred ways of thinking
Of playing, of speaking

From the poem “No Way. The Hundred is There”, By Loris Malaguzzi

Philosophy and Goals
  • Establish a partnership with families to best meet their children’s needs
  • Cultivate a love of learning in each child
  • Create a classroom environment that is safe, nurturing and fun so that the children gain the confidence they need to take risks and express themselves freely
  • Foster independence and responsibility through daily jobs, routines and daily clean-up
  • Teach respect towards oneself, others, the classroom materials, and the environment
  • Create an atmosphere that emphasizes and reinforces politeness and consideration of others
  • Provide numerous opportunities for unstructured play so that children build friendships, develop social skills, critical thinking, practice language skills, develop fine and gross motor skills, and practice conflict negotiation
  • Understand child development and how each child is unique and develops at his/her own pace
  • Immerse children with authentic opportunities to engage with words and print within the classroom, in literature, and the environment
  • Listen to children so that the learning is meaningful, motivated by student interests and questions, and relevant to their lives.