The SPS Way: Mission, Vision & Values

Our mission:

To cultivate a joyful, child-centered environment where independence, movement, and exploration are at the heart of learning. We support every child’s natural drive to grow by offering engaging, play-based experiences that develop physical strength, critical thinking, and emotional resilience. Through intentional teaching and responsive care, we empower children to become confident, curious, and compassionate learners ready for the world.

We value:

1. Child-Led Learning & Guided Independence: We honor each child’s individuality and intrinsic motivation by supporting self-directed exploration and decision-making. Our educators serve as guides, encouraging independence and meaningful engagement, supporting each child’s journey toward autonomy. We trust children as capable learners and empower them to make choices, solve problems, and take initiative.
2. Play as a Foundation: We believe that meaningful play is essential to academic and developmental growth. Through open-ended exploration and joyful engagement, children build the skills they need to learn and thrive.
   Our environment is designed to spark joy, imagination, and active inquiry, allowing children to make discoveries through hands-on, playful experiences.
3. Movement as a Foundation for Learning: We believe movement is integral to the way children learn, think, and grow. In our unique setting, daily gross motor experiences are intentionally woven into the curriculum—not as breaks from learning, but as essential opportunities to build physical strength, cognitive flexibility, and emotional regulation. Through gymnastics, active play, and body-based exploration, children develop confidence, coordination, and a deep connection between body and mind.
4. Holistic Growth: We support the whole child—physically, cognitively, and emotionally—by fostering a balanced and inclusive learning environment that nurtures lifelong skills. Our holistic approach ensures that each learner is seen, supported, and celebrated as a complete individual.
5. Respect for Autonomy: We cultivate an environment where children are encouraged to express themselves, make choices, and take ownership of their learning. This respect for autonomy builds inner confidence and self-regulation.
6. Responsive Relationships: We build strong, respectful partnerships with children, families, and staff. Through empathy, consistency, and open communication, we create a community that nurtures belonging and connection.
7. Compassionate Community: We model and teach empathy, kindness, and collaboration. By fostering respectful relationships and emotional resilience, we prepare children to contribute thoughtfully to their communities. We help children grow into thoughtful and socially responsible individuals.
8. Inquiry-Based Exploration: We nurture each child’s natural curiosity through hands-on investigation, open-ended questions, and meaningful discovery. Our approach values the learning process, encouraging children to explore ideas deeply, revisit concepts, and construct understanding through active, engaged inquiry. Learning is a process of asking questions, taking risks, and trying again.

Our program goals include helping children:

• Find their voice
• Nurture and develop their growing awareness and empathy for others
• Learn to communicate their needs and wants
• Become creative and independent thinkers
• Feel competent, self-reliant and productive
• Develop a sense of responsibility for their own physical, mental and emotional health
• Develop critical thinking and resilience
• Understand that they are part of a global community and that their actions influence the quality of that community

At Seattle Preschool we aim to be:

• Flexible and compassionate
• Student and family focused
• Current on educational practices
• Involved in our community
• Inclusive
• Respectful