Business Details
40 Years
experience
Reggio Emilia-Inspired Preschool in Solana Beach, CA
Solana Beach Community Pre-School was established in 1986 to provide a richly varied early childhood experience that goes beyond traditional daycare. Our program integrates Reggio Emilia and RIE philosophies, emphasizing community, social-emotional development, and project-based learning. We believe children thrive in environments where they feel safe, connected, and encouraged to explore their unique interests. With over 35 years of service to local families, our team of experienced educators fosters enduring relationships between children, teachers, and families. Our curriculum is designed to nurture creativity, collaboration, and lifelong learning through hands-on projects and a thoughtfully prepared environment.We offer flexible scheduling options for children aged 2-5 and maintain a strong focus on individualized attention. Our multi-age classrooms allow children to engage with peers at different developmental stages, promoting empathy and social growth. We follow the Solana Beach School District calendar and provide optional summer camp programs. Our dedicated teachers bring decades of expertise in early childhood education to create a nurturing space where every child feels valued and inspired to learn.
Services
Preschool Programs
Project-Based Learning
Reggio Emilia Curriculum
Summer Camp
Social-Emotional Development
Details
- Year established: 1986
Highlights and features
- We have over 35 years of experience in early childhood education.
- Our program is inspired by the Reggio Emilia approach.
- We foster a close-knit community of teachers, children, and families.
- Our curriculum emphasizes project-based learning and social-emotional development.
- We offer flexible scheduling options and summer camp programs.
Services
Preschool Programs
Our preschool programs serve children aged 2-5 through two distinct classrooms: Cubs (2-3 years) and Bears (4-5 years). Each program emphasizes Reggio Emilia-inspired project-based learning that nurtures creativity, social skills, and cognitive development. Our curriculum adapts to children's evolving needs while maintaining a focus on community and individualized attention.
Project-Based Learning
Project-based learning engages children in hands-on exploration of real-world topics. Through sensory activities, art projects, and nature-based investigations, students develop critical thinking, collaboration, and problem-solving skills. Our teachers design age-appropriate projects that align with children's interests while promoting foundational academic concepts in a developmentally appropriate manner.
Reggio Emilia Curriculum
Our Reggio Emilia-inspired approach values children as capable learners who construct knowledge through meaningful experiences. The environment acts as a 'third teacher' with carefully designed spaces that encourage exploration, creativity, and social interaction. Documentation of children's work is displayed throughout classrooms to celebrate learning journeys and make thinking visible.
Summer Camp
Our June summer camp provides extended learning opportunities for enrolled students. Programs operate on flexible schedules (half-day or full-day options) Monday-Friday, Monday/Wednesday/Friday, or Tuesday/Thursday. Activities maintain our Reggio-inspired approach while incorporating seasonal themes and outdoor exploration to keep children engaged during summer months.
Social-Emotional Development
Social-emotional development is woven into daily activities through guided play, group projects, and intentional teaching moments. Children learn to identify emotions, practice empathy, and develop conflict resolution skills. Teachers create safe spaces for emotional expression while modeling positive communication strategies that build lasting relationships between peers and adults.
People
Joanne Tranchina
Founder
Joanne established Solana Beach Community Pre-School in 1986 after recognizing the need for quality early childhood education in our community. With over 35 years of experience in early childhood education, she has created a program that values each child's unique journey while maintaining high educational standards.
Diane Antonelli
Director / Teacher
Diane brings over 20 years of early childhood education experience as both administrator and teacher. She specializes in creating nurturing environments that respect children's individuality while fostering social-emotional growth. Her expertise ensures our program maintains educational excellence while honoring Reggio Emilia principles.
Chika Shiraishi
Teacher
Chika contributes her extensive classroom experience to our teaching team. She implements project-based learning strategies that engage children in meaningful exploration while supporting their developmental needs. Her warm presence helps create the welcoming environment that defines our preschool community.
Questions
What age requirements must children meet for enrollment?
Children must be 2 years old by September 1st to enroll. We accept students through age 5, with separate classrooms for 2-3 year olds (Cubs) and 4-5 year olds (Bears).
What educational philosophies guide your curriculum?
Our program combines Reggio Emilia and RIE philosophies with project-based learning. This approach emphasizes child-led exploration, social-emotional development, and using the environment as a third teacher to create meaningful learning experiences.
Do you offer summer programming options?
Yes, we provide summer camp programs in June with flexible scheduling options. Choose from half-day or full-day sessions on various weekly schedules to accommodate family needs.
What qualifications do your teachers hold?
Our teaching staff includes experienced early childhood educators with expertise in Reggio Emilia-inspired practices. The director has over 20 years of experience, and all teachers implement developmentally appropriate strategies that prioritize children's individual needs.
How does your program support social-emotional development?
Social-emotional learning occurs through guided play, collaborative projects, and intentional teaching moments. Teachers model positive communication, create safe spaces for emotional expression, and help children develop empathy and conflict resolution skills.
What is your school calendar schedule?
Our academic year runs from mid-August through May, following the Solana Beach School District calendar. We observe standard holidays and provide scheduled breaks throughout the year, with optional summer camp programming available in June.
Reviews (1)
Dori Mortimer
Dec 12, 2013
Report
We are SO fortunate to have been able to get our kids into school with Mrs.Tranchina and the other amazing teachers at SBCP. We learned about the school from a friend whose boy is just a lovely person, and the teachers have exceeded our expectations in how they teach our children. Not only the basics for school readiness, but how to be kind, share, develop manners and etiquette, coping skills, problem solving skills, charity and generosity. All parents are nervous about leaving their kids in the care of others, these teachers have become a second family for us.
