FAQ

The Reggio Emilia approach began in the town of Reggio Emilia, Italy, after World War II, when families and educators came together to create a new vision for early childhood education—one that viewed children as capable, curious, and full of potential. Today, Reggio-inspired schools around the world continue to build on these same values.

In a Reggio-inspired preschool, learning begins with children’s natural curiosity. Instead of following a rigid curriculum, teachers carefully observe, listen, and create meaningful learning experiences based on children’s interests and questions. Beautiful, open-ended materials encourage creativity, exploration, problem-solving, and self-expression through art, building, storytelling, dramatic play, and more.

Families often describe Reggio-inspired classrooms as calm, engaging, and respectful. Children learn through hands-on experiences, collaborative projects, and meaningful play, developing confidence, independence, and a lifelong love of learning along the way.

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 greatest benefits of a home-based preschool is the ability to create a learning environment that is truly centered on the children. Because we’re not tied to rigid schedules or one-size-fits-all lesson plans, I can respond to each class’s unique interests, developmental needs, and pace of learning. Rather than reusing the same plans year after year, learning experiences are thoughtfully designed around the children enrolled each year.

Our flexible schedule gives children the time to explore, create, ask questions, and linger in meaningful moments of discovery instead of being rushed from one activity to the next.

Another feature that sets Seed to Sprout apart is our outdoor classroom. Children enjoy a spacious, fenced yard where they can run, climb, create, and engage in imaginative play every day. Outdoor play supports gross motor development, confidence, and school readiness while providing endless opportunities for exploration. At Seed to Sprout, the outdoors isn’t a break from learning—it’s an extension of the classroom.

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. 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
$215/month for a 3-hour class held 3 days a week

Summer Camp
$85/session

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 rooted in meaningful play. Rather than following a rigid curriculum, learning experiences grow from children’s interests and questions. Throughout the year, we often explore in-depth projects that weave together literacy, math, science, art, and social-emotional learning in authentic, engaging ways.

Instead of separating the day into “math time” or “science time,” learning happens naturally through play. Children write menus in the dramatic play center, measure ingredients while cooking, investigate magnets at the sensory table, and solve problems as they build, create, and collaborate. Every experience is designed to be hands-on, purposeful, and developmentally appropriate.

My role is to observe, guide, and encourage rather than simply instruct. By carefully watching how children play and learn, I can create an environment filled with materials and experiences that support each child’s growth.

You’ll find a classroom full of movement, conversation, creativity—and yes, sometimes a little mess! Young children learn best by actively exploring the world around them, so I embrace the joyful, hands-on experiences that make learning meaningful.

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 or manage, 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.

Sprouts Class: Potty-training is not required for this class; however, licensing guidelines prevent me from changing diapers at school. If a #2 accident occurs during class time, a parent will be called to come take care of things.

Seedlings Class & Little Buds: Students should be working on potty-training, but if your child is not yet fully independent in the bathroom and you are concerned about their ability to stay dry while at school, they are welcome to wear a pull-up. If a #2 accident occurs during class time, a parent will be called to come take care of things.

Your registration fee covers all of the supplies your child will need over the course of the year, including a daily healthy snack.

Sprouts: A backpack large enough to hold a spare change of clothes, with a little room to spare for art projects that will come home.

Seedlings: A standard-sized backpack, large enough to fit a spare change of clothes and the folder that I will provide at the beginning of the year for safely transporting work home.

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.