Piedmont Recreation Department Preschool Programs

Piedmont Recreation Department Preschool Programs include several options such as Tiddlywinks: Caterpillars, Tiddlywinks: Butterflies, Skipping Stones, Hillside Playschool, and Pre-K. The programs operate for one school year and are structured as play-based, hands-on, and creative learning environments with social exploration. Children under 3.8 years may attend up to 12 hours per week, and children 3.8 years and older may attend up to 16 hours per week.

• Ages: 18 months–5 years old
• Schedule: School-year programs with morning classes; Tiddlywinks: Caterpillars and Butterflies, Skipping Stones, Hillside Playschool, and Pre-K meet between 9:05 am and 1:00 pm on selected weekdays, with fall, winter, and spring sessions within the school year
• Price: If selected from the school year lottery, a $500 deposit is due at the time of enrollment

Tiddlywinks: Caterpillars meets Tuesday and Thursday from 9:05 am to 12:00 pm, with drop-off from 9:00 to 9:05 am, and runs fall (August 25–October 30), winter (November 2–February 12), and spring (February 22–May 25) sessions. Tiddlywinks: Butterflies meets Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:05 am to 12:00 pm, with drop-off from 9:00 to 9:05 am, and has fall (August 17–October 30, 11 weeks), winter (November 2–February 12, 12 weeks), and spring (February 22–May 27, 13 weeks) sessions. Skipping Stones meets Monday through Thursday from 9:05 am to 12:00 pm, Hillside Playschool meets Monday through Thursday from 9:05 am to 1:00 pm, and Pre-K meets Monday through Thursday from 9:05 am to 1:00 pm, each with drop-off from 9:00 to 9:05 am.

The programs use a lottery system to select participants for each preschool program, and if a child is selected, a $500 deposit is due at enrollment. Priority for Tiddlywinks: Butterflies is given the following year after enrollment in Tiddlywinks: Caterpillars. Tiddlywinks programs do not require children to be toilet trained, while Skipping Stones, Hillside Playschool, and Pre-K require children to be toilet trained.

Tiddlywinks: Caterpillars has a 4:1 child-to-staff ratio with a maximum of 10 children, and Tiddlywinks: Butterflies has a 4:1 ratio with a maximum of 20 children. Skipping Stones has a 5:1 child-to-staff ratio with a maximum of 14 children, Hillside Playschool has a 5:1 ratio with a maximum of 16 children, and Pre-K has a 6:1 ratio with a maximum of 14 children. Program locations are subject to change.

The Preschool Information Session 2026 is scheduled for Saturday, January 10, 2026, from 10:00 to 11:30 am and is a parent/guardian-only event for adults. Preschool Parent Observations are adult-only appointments and begin the week of January 12th through mid-February. For the 2026/2027 school year lottery via CommunityPass, Piedmont residents have an open enrollment period from Monday, January 26, 2026, at 8:00 am to Friday, February 6, 2026, at 4:00 pm, with lottery selection on Monday, February 9, 2026, and enrollment confirmations beginning Tuesday, February 10, 2026; non-residents have an open enrollment period from Monday, February 9, 2026, at 8:00 am to Friday, February 20, 2026, at 4:00 pm, with lottery selection on Monday, February 23, 2026, and enrollment confirmations beginning Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

The preschools operate as License-Exempt programs under California's Community Care licensing regulations and are described as community-based and enrichment-driven early childhood education programs. The mission states that the preschools provide nurturing, play-based learning environments that support growth and development through hands-on experiences, social exploration, and creative play. The program is overseen by Recreation Supervisor Katrina Morris.

Last updated August 15, 2026.