Academics

Early Education

Early Childhood | Preschool-Kindergarten

You only do childhood once. At Sanford, we believe that school should be a place of creativity, exploration, and joy. Our early education curriculum balances imagination, exploration, problem-solving, and play to nurture confidence and curiosity while building the foundation they need to thrive in Kindergarten and beyond.

Small group tours for our early education program (preschool-kindergarten) are available here.

List of 4 items.

Planting the Seed

Guided by caring and experienced teachers, our youngest students grow into engaged community members and confident, independent learners, building both routine and resilience. In these early years, they learn the rhythms of a classroom day, how to actively listen, take turns, and care for themselves and one another.
Rooted in Play

At Sanford, play is the foundation of early learning. Through purposeful, hands-on experiences and monthly thematic units, such as space exploration, dinosaurs, camping, and transportation, students develop essential skills in literacy, math, and problem-solving. Play encourages collaboration, communication, and self-expression, allowing students to grow academically and socially in a joyful environment. With nearly 100 acres of open spaces as their extended classroom, Sanford’s youngest learners explore, move, and discover each day, building the confidence, coordination, and curiosity that prepare them for lifelong learning.
Branching Out

Due to our low student-to-teacher ratios, our students build trust and strong bonds, benefit from individualized attention, and engage with a curriculum designed to challenge students where they are. In addition to their homeroom, each week, students experience a wide range of specials, such as art, music, world language, physical education, library, and outdoor exploration, that help them grow in new directions.
Blossoming

By the time they complete our Early Childhood program, Sanford’s youngest learners are confident, capable, and ready to blossom in Lower School. They have developed strong social and gross motor skills, as well as academic readiness, and a sense of belonging, having taken root in a community where their talents, big and small, will always find room to grow.