FAQ

Rooted in the post–World War II town of Reggio Emilia, Italy, this approach began as a community-driven effort to rebuild childhood with dignity, creativity, and hope. Families, educators, and local leaders came together to design a new way of teaching—one that honored children as capable, curious individuals with a powerful drive to learn. Today, Reggio-inspired programs around the world continue to reflect these values, creating warm, thoughtful spaces where children’s voices truly matter.

A Reggio-inspired preschool is a place where children’s natural curiosity is honored every day. Rather than following rigid, one-size-fits-all lessons, teachers create environments that invite exploration, creativity, and joyful discovery. Classrooms are intentionally designed with beautiful, open-ended materials that spark imagination and allow children to express their ideas in many different ways—through art, building, storytelling, movement, and more. Teachers listen closely, observe thoughtfully, and build learning experiences around the interests and questions children naturally bring to school.

Families often notice that a Reggio-inspired program feels calm, purposeful, and deeply respectful of children. Learning unfolds through hands-on experiences, collaborative projects, and rich conversations that help children make sense of the world around them. Instead of focusing on worksheets or memorization, children build foundational skills through meaningful play, strong relationships, and growing independence—all within an environment that sees them as capable, competent, and full of potential.

In the words of Maria Montessori, “Play is the work of the child.” Decades of research continue to show that play is the most powerful and meaningful way young children learn. It takes time for children to become truly engaged in deep, imaginative play. When play is squeezed between more formal activities, children miss out on its richest benefits. That’s why the heart of our preschool day is dedicated to self-directed play, both indoors and outdoors. When children lead their own learning and follow their natural interests, what they discover becomes more meaningful, memorable, and joyful.

During play, children build an incredible range of skills—communication, cooperation, creativity, imagination, self-awareness, self-regulation, critical thinking, and problem-solving. A play-focused classroom is full of academic learning, just not through drills or worksheets. Instead, children explore early literacy, math, science, and social-emotional concepts in hands-on, developmentally meaningful ways. At Seed to Sprout, we take play seriously—because it’s how children grow best.

In short—YES! But more importantly, we focus on the stage your child is in right now. Preschool is its own meaningful period of development, and our goal is for children to master preschool skills, not rush into kindergarten expectations. When a child is allowed to fully develop the social, emotional, physical, and early academic foundations of preschool, they enter kindergarten confident, capable, and ready to thrive.

There’s a common—and unfortunate—misconception that preschoolers must memorize all their letters and sounds, count to 50, and begin reading before kindergarten. This belief has shifted many preschools toward overly academic practices that replace joyful learning with “playful drills.” But just as we wouldn’t formally teach a 6-month-old to walk simply because walking is the next milestone, we don’t push heavy academics on preschoolers before they’re developmentally ready. Instead, we nurture the skills that truly matter at this age: curiosity, confidence, communication, problem-solving, self-regulation, and a love of learning. When children are supported in this holistic, developmentally appropriate way, they shine—and absolutely stand out as ready for kindergarten in every way.

Absolutely. One of the biggest advantages of an in-home preschool is the small class size. At Seed to Sprout, each class is limited to no more than 10 children, creating a warm, close-knit environment where every child is known, heard, and supported. With fewer students, I’m able to give each child more individualized attention and tailor experiences to their unique interests and needs.

At Seed to Sprout, lesson plans are thoughtfully created around the interests and developmental needs of the specific children enrolled each year. I don’t recycle the same plans from class to class, because every group of children is unique. Our schedule is flexible, allowing children to linger in meaningful moments of play and exploration instead of being rushed from one activity to the next.

Another important difference is the outdoor experience. Many commercial preschools in our area do not have access to outdoor space, which makes it challenging to meet the large motor needs essential for healthy development. Strong gross motor skills lay the foundation for writing, coordination, and overall school readiness. At Seed to Sprout, we are fortunate to have a spacious, fenced yard where children can run, climb, jump, throw balls, create with sidewalk chalk, and enjoy a rich outdoor dramatic play area. Fresh air and sunshine are vital parts of early childhood education, and we strive to be outside every day. Our outdoor environment is an extension of our indoor classroom—anything we learn inside, we can learn outside too.

Seed to Sprout Preschool is located in South Jordan, UT. Our classroom is housed in a bright and inviting basement space in a neighborhood just north of The District.

South Jordan City Ordinance sets a cap of 12 students per class for in-home preschools. Seedlings classes at Seed to Sprout will not exceed this number, with most classes having 10 students. The Sprouts class will have 8 or fewer students. This small teacher-to-student ratio is perfect for providing individualized attention to each child.

Tuition varies, depending on the class you enroll in:

Sprouts
$150/month for a 2-hour class held 2 days a week

Seedlings
$200/month for a 3-hour class held 3 days a week

Little Buds
$100/six-week session, 1.5 hour class held 1 day a week

When you look at the time, care, and developmental benefits involved, preschool offers one of the greatest returns on investment for young children!

My program is Reggio-inspired, child-led, and deeply rooted in play. This means our lesson plans remain flexible and responsive to the children’s interests. Throughout the year, the class may dive into rich, meaningful projects—exploring a topic the children are excited about and weaving learning from every developmental domain into the activities surrounding that theme.

Our day isn’t divided into rigid blocks of “math time,” “writing time,” or “science time.” Instead, these skills are naturally embedded throughout our play-rich environment. Children write grocery lists in the dramatic play center, explore math as they measure ingredients for snack, and discover science as they mix paint or experiment with magnets. Learning is woven into every part of the day—thoughtfully, authentically, and joyfully.

As the teacher, I’m not a lecturer; I’m a facilitator. I observe closely, support children in their play, and use ongoing observation to understand each child’s growth and needs. This helps me prepare an environment filled with materials and experiences that genuinely meet children where they are.

I also use a multi-sensory approach, engaging visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic learning to deepen understanding. Our classroom is a place where noise, movement, and even a bit of mess are welcomed—because hands-on exploration is how young children learn best. I never shy away from a developmentally appropriate activity just because it might get messy!

I use a gentle, respectful approach to guidance and discipline in my classroom. I see each child as a whole, capable human being who deserves the same kindness and respect we offer adults. My goal is to nurture strong social-emotional skills by helping children learn to understand their feelings, communicate their needs, and practice self-regulation through developmentally appropriate experiences. I view behavior not as something to control, but as a natural part of childhood—a form of communication that helps us understand what a child is experiencing and what support they need.

One of the beautiful things about play is how much meaningful learning it provides—but without worksheets coming home, it’s natural for parents to wonder exactly what skills their child is developing. Throughout the year, I maintain ongoing documentation of each child’s growth, noting their emerging skills, interests, and milestones. I also send home a basic skills assessment in both the fall and spring to give families a clear picture of progress.

Our mid-year parent–teacher conference is a wonderful opportunity to discuss your child’s development, but you’re always welcome to reach out with questions at any point during the year. The photos I share often highlight the learning happening during play, giving you a window into the skills your child is practicing and the joyful discoveries they’re making each day.

Full independence in the bathroom is a skill that many preschool children are still working on, and accidents sometimes happen in preschool. I can offer some assistance in the bathroom, but please work with your child to be as independent as possible with wiping and dressing and help them get in the habit of washing their hands after using the bathroom. I do not have the ability to change diapers at school, however pull-ups are fine if you are worried about your child’s ability to stay dry while at preschool. #2 accidents will require me to call a parent to come take care of. 

Your registration fee covers all of the supplies your child will need over the course of the year, including a daily healthy snack. A folder will be provided at the beginning of the year for safely transporting artwork home. Your child will need to bring a standard-sized backpack each day (as darling as they are, toddler backpacks are not large enough to hold a folder). I also ask that you keep a spare change of clothing, including socks and underwear, in a labeled ziplock bag in your child’s backpack. At times during the year, I might ask you to collect certain recyclable items for a project we are working on, but these items are always optional.

Yes! Seed to Sprout is a neuroaffirming preschool, and my degree in early childhood special education, along with my years teaching special ed preschool, means that my program is well-suited to adapt to the needs of all learners. That said, as a small private program, I do not have the same resources that are offered by public schools or larger private institutions. If you are interested in enrolling your child at Seed to Sprout, give me a call so that we can chat about your child’s needs to determine if my program would be a good fit.