Preschool Program
The San Mateo-Foster City School District is proud to offer preschool programs at various elementary school sites. The preschool programs provide a nurturing, safe and stimulating educational environment for children. Inclusive practices are utilized to support learning throughout the day. Each child is given the opportunity to grow and learn through positive experiences that foster social, emotional, cognitive and physical development. Qualified families may be enrolled in either our fee-based or state subsidized preschool programs.
Inclusive Vision
In the San Mateo-Foster City School District, we believe in inclusive practices for all students, staff, family and community members. Inclusion is the mind-set and practice of welcoming, valuing, empowering and supporting the diverse academic, social-emotional, language and communication learning of all students in our community. We believe that all students belong in the school environment to access learning, peers and the community.
PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM
Our preschool and school-age programs follow the California Department of Education, Child Development Division guidelines. We acknowledge the multiple intelligences of the whole child by providing developmentally appropriate practices, play-based curriculum, and a balance of teacher and child directed activities.
Our curriculum focuses on ensuring effective learning by providing an environment that allows all children to learn through discovery and play. Our curriculum is based on the California Preschool Learning Foundations and GLAD theories. These teachings and theories are implemented into a curriculum designed to support each child’s social-emotional, cognitive, language, literacy and physical development in an age and developmentally appropriate manner. We believe that children learn best through their interaction with hands on tangible materials, other children and caring adults.
STATE LAW SB 792
Effective September 1, 2016 day care centers and preschools are required to maintain vaccination records for influenza, pertussis, measles and TB for their employees and “volunteers” working with the children. Community Care Licensing recently clarified that any parent interacting or engaging with their child or another child in a preschool classroom is considered a “volunteer.” Therefore, effective August 15, 2017 any parent who wishes to enter a preschool classroom will be required to provide documentation of influenza, pertussis, measles and TB. Parents will not be required to provide immunization documentation if they drop-off and pick-up their children outside of the classroom.