HomePreschool Programs

Preschool Program

The Stretch Preschool Program is for children 2 years to 5 years 9 months old. We are a half-day program with classes ranging between 3.5-4 hours/day. Each program includes time in the classroom at Stretch and time in the Natural Classroom, our nature program in the Presidio. We offer extended hours for families depending on the age of the child. Children must be 2 years old by August 31 in order to be eligible to start in the fall, and we do not make exceptions to this cut off. Children can stay at Stretch until they move on to Kindergarten, and we do offer a TK year for older students. Children between the ages of 16-24 months are eligible for our Toddler Exploration Program.

When families apply to Stretch their child is placed in the appropriate program based on the child’s age. Parents do not choose the specific program, but rather the Stretch administration offers enrollment based on your child's age and where they best fit into our program. All of our classes are named after indigenous trees found in California. Please see all class options listed below. Also please note that these are general descriptions and individual children may fall outside of these descriptions for a variety of reasons.

Dramatic Play

Mixing Colors

Exploring Clay with all our Senses

Water Play!

Signing in Each Day to Practice our Letters

Ages 2 and 3

Willow

Willow children are the youngest students in the Preschool Program at Stretch, and these children typically turn 2 between spring and summer. They attend school 2 mornings/week on Tuesday and Thursday. Each class is 3.5 hours. The Willows participate in Natural Classroom every week starting in the fall after they are settled into preschool.

Magnolia

Magnolia children typically turn 3 between fall and spring after they start school. They attend school 3 mornings/week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Each class is 3.5 hours. The Magnolias participate in Natural Classroom every week starting in the fall after they are settled into preschool.

Maple

Maple children typically turn 3 between spring and fall. Willow students move into the Maple class their second year at Stretch. This class attends school 5 mornings/week for 4 hours each day. Maple students participate in Natural Classroom 2 days/week.

Ages 4 and 5

Cypress

Cypress children typically turn 4 between fall and spring. Magnolia students move into the Cypress class their second year at Stretch. This class attends school 5 mornings/week for 4 hours each day. Cypress students participate in Natural Classroom 2 days/week.

Redwood

Redwood children typically turn 5 between spring and fall. Maple students move into the Redwood class their third year at Stretch. This class attends school 5 afternoons/week for 4 hours each day. Redwood students participate in Natural Classroom 2 days/week.

Sequoia

The Sequoia class is the oldest class at Stretch, and these children typically turn 5 between the summer and December of their final year in preschool. Cypress students along with any students needing an additional TK year become our Sequoia class for their final year at Stretch. This class attends school 5 afternoons/week for 4 hours each day. Sequoia students participate in Natural Classroom 2 days/week.

Stretch is a sweet and warm place.
We cannot imagine our daughter going to any other preschool. -Stretch Parent