Preschool Program at Peppertree Schools
Ranch Hands
At Peppertree, our nurturing and enriching Preschool Program, bridges our Ranch House and Cottage House Programs, providing a seamless transition for your child’s growth journey.
The comprehensive curriculum is designed to nourish our Ranch Hands’ young minds, encourage their creativity, and cultivate their holistic development.
Preschool Program Overview
- Ranch Hands Ages ~ 30 months (2.5 years) – ~36 months (3 years)
- Ranch House location
- 14969 Los Gatos Almaden Rd. (at Union Avenue) Los Gatos, CA 95032
- Phone: (408) 626-9200
- 1:6 teacher-to-child ratio
- New families should plan to spend a few hours in the first two weeks introducing their child to the environment to make transitioning to whole days easier for the baby, parents, and staff.
- Child does not need to be potty trained
- Daily group nap time from 12 pm – 2pm, no drop offs or pick ups allowed during nap time
Classroom Environment
Each of our Ranch Hands is a unique personality, with their own pace and preferences. Our teachers take the time to learn who your child is, and to meet them where they are at.
We prioritize building strong relationships through patience, kindness, and genuine care, to create a foundation of trust. In this environment, children can embrace their curiosity, gain confidence, and engage with the world around them knowing they are safe and cared for.
Feeding
Ranch Hands are developmentally able to follow a more structured and regular feeding schedule and will have their meals at roughly the same time every day, eating together with their classmates.
Parents should provide fresh and nutritious meals from home daily, including breakfast, and lunch. Children who stay until late pick up at 5 pm are encouraged to have an afternoon snack as well.
Parents should provide each child with their own labeled water bottle or preferred cup to drink from throughout the day. The school can refill the water bottle as needed.
Parents should also provide a box of their child’s preferred individually sealed snacks, such as granola bars or toddler pouches, for days when your Ranch Hand is extra hungry.
No food or drink sharing is allowed between children. This ensures your child’s safety and allows you to know that all of your child’s dietary needs are being met.
Napping and Bedding
As part of their developmental growth, Ranch Hands can have a regular nap schedule.
Peppertree provides a two-hour midday nap for all Ranch Hands.
Nap time is between 12pm – 2 pm. There are no drop-offs or pick-ups allowed during this time, thank you for understanding.
We offer comfy mats during nap time. Mats are covered with a fresh sheet, and children are given blankets. All nap items are washed and sanitized after each use.
Children who refuse a nap are required to lie down for quiet time for a minimum of 30 minutes. Many children fall asleep during this rest period.
Children are welcome to bring a comfort object, such as a blanket or stuffie, to use during nap time.
Diaper Services and Potty Training
Ranch Hands are not required to be potty trained.
We provide diaper-changing services as needed throughout the day. Parents do not need to provide diapers for Ranch Hands.
Though toddlers do not need to be potty trained we are happy to support parents interested in potty training their child. We work with parents to ensure consistency between home and school during the potty training process. Our staff is patient and gentle, understanding that this process happens when the child is ready.
Parents interested in potty training should talk to the Ranch House Director, Danna Osborn, to learn more about Peppertree’s potty training process.
Play and Enrichment
At Peppertree Schools we know that play is a critical part of a child’s development.
Our Preschool Program is designed to provide Ranch Hands with a variety of activities that support their development. In our activity centers, Speckled Frogs will have the opportunity to engage in small group play, where they can build, craft, explore, and pretend. We also make sure to provide plenty of outdoor playtime, where they can practice playing in larger groups, and use their social skills.
Don’t forget to check your Ranch Hand’s art folder each day, so you can bring home all of their amazing art projects. And be sure to look at our Parent Resources Page, to find some ideas for fun art and music activities you can do at home!
Communication with Parents
We believe in open communication with parents. We encourage parents to share what their child likes to do and any concerns they may have. Our teachers work closely with parents to support their child’s development.
Contact Us
If you would like to learn more about our Preschool Program or enroll your child, please contact us at (408) 626-9200 or email ranchhouse@peppertreeschools.com. We look forward to hearing from you and nurturing your little ones. Please include the following information when contacting us:
- Your name and phone number
- Age of your child(ren)
- Potty training status (not required for enrollment)
- Number of days per week (up to 5)
- Pick-up time (Regular pick up is 3:30 pm, late pick up is 5 pm)
- Desired start date