Pre-Kindergarten Program in Redwood City, CA

Scholar Simba Pre-K: Five Development Domains, One Cohesive Curriculum

The Scholar Simba Pre-Kindergarten program at Safari Kid Redwood City is designed for children starting at 4 years old, bridging the gap between preschool and kindergarten through a structured, research-driven curriculum. Rather than focusing on academic readiness alone, the program develops the whole child across five named domains: Cognitive Development, Language and Literacy Development, Physical Development, Social and Emotional Development, and Health and Care Development. That breadth is a meaningful part of what distinguishes this program.

Each domain receives dedicated attention through proprietary program elements, hands-on learning, personalized lesson plans, and individualized instruction. The result is a child who can arrive at kindergarten ready to think, communicate, collaborate, and adapt.

Pre-K Options in Redwood City

Families exploring pre-kindergarten in Redwood City have a range of choices. Beginning with the 2025–26 school year, California offers universal Transitional Kindergarten at no cost to all age-eligible four-year-olds. The Redwood City School District also provides Transitional Kindergarten and operates a California State Preschool Program at several district sites, with enrollment requirements and availability handled by the district. These public programs serve an important role, but they aren’t the right fit for every family.

Private pre-kindergarten programs like Scholar Simba offer full-day, year-round enrollment with proprietary curricula that go beyond developmental benchmarks. Families may compare Transitional Kindergarten, California State Preschool Program, Head Start, private preschool, and other eligible options based on age eligibility, schedule, setting, curriculum, and family needs. For families whose children are ready for a more structured, academically engaged experience, a program that builds executive function skills alongside creative and social capacities can make a meaningful difference when kindergarten begins.

Benefits of Our Scholar Simba Pre-K Program

Families who choose us for pre-K gain more than a classroom. Educators develop personalized lesson plans tied to each child’s developmental stage and individual interests, so instruction is tailored to the child. Children receive individualized attention within a peer-rich environment, which builds both confidence and the social awareness that kindergarten demands.

Progress doesn’t happen behind closed doors. Parents receive regular assessments and ongoing updates through Procare, our parent communication platform, keeping families closely involved in their child’s development. Children whose families stay engaged in their early learning can build the perseverance and executive function skills that support long-term academic success.

Teaching Methods & Learning Activities

Our teaching methods are rooted in research-based practices that promote active learning and critical thinking. We take a hands-on approach that encourages children to explore, question, and discover. Our dedicated educators bring these methods to life with dynamic lesson plans tailored to each child’s interests and developmental needs, connecting classroom concepts to the local environment and real-world experiences that make learning both relevant and memorable.

Key features of our teaching methods include:

• Project-Based Learning: Engaging children in projects that integrate multiple areas of development.
• Play-Based Activities: Using play as a medium to teach important concepts and skills.
• STREAM Framework: Science, technology, reading, engineering, arts, and math activities that encourage creativity, logical thinking, and problem-solving.
• Individualized Instruction: Tailoring lessons to meet the unique developmental needs and interests of each child.

Pre-K Learning Activities

The Scholar Simba curriculum delivers specific, named activities across every developmental domain.

• Language and Literacy Development: Children build early literacy through storytelling and discussions, phonics, print recognition, name-writing and tracing exercises, and purposeful reading activities. CHIRP and Story Explorers bring language learning to life, while ASL exposure and Second Language instruction extend communication skills across diverse learners.
• Physical Development: Fine motor skills grow through arts and crafts, block play, sensory exploration, and Busy Little Paws. Nature excursions take children outside the classroom to observe and engage with the natural environment. Tumbling Tots supports gross motor development in an active, joyful format.
• Social and Emotional Development: Global Child TEMBO Talks and dramatic play build emotional intelligence, empathy, and the ability to work as part of a group. Role-play and group discussions help children navigate social dynamics and develop the self-regulation skills often identified as essential for kindergarten readiness.
• Cognitive Development: Hands-on numeracy activities, STREAM projects, and open-ended problem-solving challenges develop logical thinking and the persistence to work through difficulty. These are core components of executive function that support learning well beyond pre-k.

A Nurturing & Inspiring Environment for Young Learners

A child’s immediate surroundings play a pivotal role in shaping their curiosity, confidence, and comfort during foundational early education years:

• Nature-Inspired & Safe Classroom Spaces: Classrooms and outdoor play areas are thoughtfully arranged to encourage safe exploration, sensory discovery, and hands-on engagement in a warm, welcoming setting.
• Supportive & Inclusive Atmosphere: Children learn within a compassionate, peer-rich environment where individual strengths are celebrated, helping shy learners build confidence and outgoing children develop empathy.
• Balanced Quiet & Active Learning Zones: Purpose-built spaces feature designated areas for quiet reading, creative arts, STREAM exploration, and gross motor play, allowing children to transition smoothly between focused tasks and energetic play.
• Positive Behavior Guidance: Educators utilize encouraging, research-backed guidance techniques that promote self-regulation, mutual respect, and constructive problem-solving among classmates.
• Health & Safety-First Protocols: Rigorous sanitation routines, secure campus entry systems, and proactive health practices ensure children learn in a clean, safe, and protective environment every day.

Active Parent Partnership & Collaborative Engagement

Strong connections between families and educators create a seamless bridge between classroom experiences and home life:

• Real-Time Daily Updates & Milestones: Parents stay closely connected to their child's routine through dedicated communication platforms, receiving photos, activity summaries, and developmental updates throughout the day.
• Open-Door Communication & Parent Conferences: Regular progress reviews and direct access to educators ensure families remain informed and aligned on their child’s unique learning and social milestones.
• Community & Family Event Opportunities: Center celebrations, seasonal gatherings, and classroom showcases provide parents with meaningful ways to participate directly in the school community.
• At-Home Learning Extensions: Teachers share practical activities and guidance so parents can comfortably reinforce classroom concepts, early literacy habits, and executive function skills at home.
• Collaborative Goal-Setting: Educators work side-by-side with parents to establish individualized developmental targets, ensuring every child receives consistent, tailored support at school and at home.

Comprehensive Kindergarten Preparation

Health and Care Development rounds out the five domains with nutrition guidance, nature-based activities that spark curiosity about plants and insects, and experiences that build autonomy and confidence. Community events and field trips extend learning beyond the center, connecting classroom concepts to children’s lives in Redwood City and deepening the social awareness that comes from engaging with the world outside the classroom.

Together, these five domains form a cohesive program that can prepare children for the academic demands of kindergarten, as well as the independence, resilience, and love of learning that can carry them forward over time.

Integrated learning builds strong early foundations.
Call (650) 747-6681 or reach out online to learn more about enrollment.