A Sense of Wonder through Play
Introduction to Play-Based Learning
Play is not a break from learning. Play is learning!
Hands-on experiences that spark imagination, build confidence, and help children discover who God created them to be fill our days.
Your child might be:
Baking in the mud kitchen,
Using a spinning record player to create art,
Examining a ladybug in the Nature Hut, or
Creating a stage show with friends.
These moments are intentional. They nurture social emotional, cognitive, physical, and spiritual growth.
What is Play-Based Learning?
Behind every joyful mess is purposeful teaching.
Our classrooms and outdoor spaces help children:
Investigate what interests them
Solve problems
Discover relationships
Develop friendships
Build early academic skills
Grow in confidence and independence
Play-based learning uses curiosity and exploration to shape brain development. When children touch, build, climb, pour, pretend, imagine, discover, and ask questions, they form the foundation for lifelong learning.
Areas of Learning
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Math comes alive when children explore their world.
They learn to:
• Recognize shapes
• Sort and classify
• Count and compare
• Identify patterns
• Estimate
• Explore measurement, volume, and quantity -
Literacy begins long before reading. Through books, conversation, and storytelling children:
• Build vocabulary
• Strengthen oral language
• Explore sounds and letters
• Connect stories to real life
• Create their own stories through art, drama, and pretend play -
Science is everywhere at Peñasquitos Christian Preschool. Children:
• Predict and experiment
• Observe insects and plants
• Explore cause and effect
• Classify natural materials
• Discover seasons and cyclesFaith naturally connects these discoveries with God as a creative and playful designer.
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Through open ended play children learn to:
• Express and regulate emotions
• Make and keep friends
• Navigate conflict
• Practice empathy
• Build confidence and belonging
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Outdoor play helps children:
• Strengthen motor skills
• Develop spatial awareness
• Learn safe risk taking
• Build coordination and resilience -
Children explore rhythm, melody, and movement as they:
• Make music
• Create parades
• Participate in chapel -
Art is a process. Children:
• Paint
• Mold clay
• Build with loose parts
• Create with natural materials
• Express ideas in their own way -
Community and Family Partnership
Children thrive when families feel connected.
We cultivate community through:
Classroom gatherings
School wide events
Parent teacher partnerships
A warm and welcoming environment
Families often describe PCP as an extended living room. Warm. Safe. Personal. Joyful.
Classes and Schedules
We offer both morning and extended day preschool programs.
Beginning in the 2026–27 school year, we will offer morning and extended day preschool options for all age groups Monday - Friday.
Our updated program structure offers flexibility for families while preserving the rich play-based learning environment that defines our school.
Our Littles program is for children who are 2 years old by September 1.
Our Beginners program is for children who are 2.5 years old by Septermber1.
Our Explorers program is for children who are 3 years old by September 1.
Our Private Transitional Kindergarten program is for children who are 4 years old by September 1.
Morning Program
8:30-11:30am
Littles – 2, 3, or 5 mornings per week
Beginners – 2, 3, or 5 mornings per week
Explorers – 2, 3, or 5 mornings per week
Private TK – 3, 4, or 5 mornings per week
Extended Day Program
11:30am-3:00pm
Littles – 2, 3, 4, or 5 afternoons per week
Beginners – 2, 3, 4, or 5 afternoons per week
Explorers – 2, 3, 4, or 5 afternoons per week
Private TK – 2, 3, 4, or 5 afternoons per week
Our 2 morning per week schedule is T/Th.
Our 3 morning per week schedule is M/W/F.
Our 4 morning per week (Private TK Only) schedule is M-Th.
A child must attend the morning program to be part of the extended day program. When deciding on your child’s morning and extended day schedules, a child may attend more mornings than afternoons.
What is the difference between half-day and full-day preschool?
Morning preschool schedule: A structured morning of learning and play from 8:30 – 11:30am.
Extended Day preschool schedule: An extended schedule that includes deeper exploration, additional play, rest time, lunch, daily “special” experiences and a consistent rhythm that supports families who desire their children to have longer days to learn and explore, 8:30am – 3:00pm.