Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Your Trusted Play-Based Preschool in San Diego
Mission Hills Community Preschool has been nurturing young minds through play-based education since 1971. Our Reggio-inspired approach, enriched by elements of Waldorf and Montessori philosophies, empowers children aged 2-5 to construct their own understanding of the world. With a focus on child-led learning, we cultivate critical thinking, creativity, and peaceful conflict resolution. Our team of experienced educators, many with decades of service, creates a warm, collaborative environment where curiosity thrives.As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we prioritize community partnerships and personalized care, ensuring each child develops foundational academic and social-emotional skills through purposeful play and exploration.
Services
Pre-K Program
Little House Program
Extended Care
Play-Based Learning
Social-Emotional Development
Details
- Year established: 1971
Highlights and features
- We implement a Reggio-inspired, project-based learning approach since 1971
- Our experienced teachers maintain low student-teacher ratios for personalized attention
- We emphasize social-emotional development and peaceful conflict resolution
- Extended care available with structured afternoon enrichment activities
- Our 501(c)(3) nonprofit status ensures community-focused, transparent operations
Services
Pre-K Program
Our Pre-K program serves ages 3-5 with a maximum of 13 children per class. Through project-based learning, we develop pre-reading, writing, and mathematical concepts while maintaining a 6:1 student-teacher ratio. The curriculum emphasizes collaborative group work and prepares children for kindergarten through structured exploration and creative problem-solving activities.
Little House Program
Designed for ages 2-3, this program maintains a 5:1 student-teacher ratio with three educators per class. The gentle introduction to preschool focuses on relationship-building, sensory exploration, and foundational social skills through play-based activities in a nurturing environment that respects each child's developmental pace.
Extended Care
Available Mondays-Wednesdays from noon-3:30pm, our extended care program offers structured enrichment activities for children aged 2-5. The afternoon session includes lunch bunch (12-1pm) followed by creative projects, outdoor play, and guided social-emotional learning experiences that maintain educational continuity beyond the core morning program.
Play-Based Learning
Our core educational philosophy centers on purposeful play as the foundation for cognitive development. Through teacher-guided but child-directed exploration, students develop critical thinking skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities. This approach aligns with Reggio-Emilia principles while incorporating elements from Waldorf and Montessori methodologies to create a balanced learning experience.
Social-Emotional Development
We prioritize social-emotional growth through daily conflict resolution practice and community-building activities. Our educators facilitate peer interactions that develop empathy, compassion, and peaceful communication skills. The curriculum includes guided reflection sessions and collaborative projects that help children understand and manage emotions while building lasting friendships.
People
Anna
Director
Director since 2006 with 35 years in early childhood education. Holds MFA in Creative Writing and BA in Studio Art. Committed to nurturing children's creativity through music, storytelling, and art while maintaining strong family partnerships.
Lynn
Little House Teacher
Teaching at MHCP since 2002 with 25+ years experience. Associates Degree in Early Childhood Education. Believes in learning through play within warm, nurturing relationships. Values family collaboration and children's natural curiosity.
Stacey
Little House Teacher
Educator since 2009 with Master's in Human Development. Specializes in child-directed learning and appropriate risk-taking. Focuses on helping children develop caring relationships, collaborative problem-solving skills, and reflective thinking through play-based exploration.
Deanna
Pre-K Teacher
MHCP teacher since 2007 with background in special needs education. Associates Degree in Child Development. Passionate about peaceful conflict resolution and nature-based learning. Creates nurturing environments where children develop confidence through collaborative discovery.
Kenia
Pre-K Teacher
Joined MHCP in 2024 with Bachelor's in Human Development. Former Spanish immersion preschool teacher and behavioral therapist. Specializes in supporting children with developmental delays through imaginative play and emotional exploration. Creates inclusive learning spaces that celebrate diverse perspectives.
Questions
What educational philosophy does MHCP follow?
We use a Reggio-inspired approach with elements from Waldorf and Montessori. Our play-based curriculum emphasizes child-led exploration, creative problem-solving, and social-emotional development through project-based learning.
What age groups do you serve?
We offer programs for children aged 2-3 (Little House) and 3-5 (Pre-K). Both programs maintain small class sizes with multiple teachers to ensure personalized attention and relationship-based learning.
Is potty training required for enrollment?
Children must be potty-trained and developmentally ready for our Pre-K program. The Little House program for 2-3 year olds accommodates children at various stages of toilet learning with individualized support.
What extended care options are available?
We offer extended care Mondays-Wednesdays from noon-3:30pm, including lunch bunch (12-1pm) and afternoon enrichment activities. Extended care is not available on Thursdays and Fridays.
How does MHCP support social-emotional development?
Our curriculum includes daily conflict resolution practice, collaborative projects, and guided reflection. Teachers facilitate peer interactions that build empathy, compassion, and peaceful communication skills through play-based learning experiences.
