San Anselmo Preschool Center

San Anselmo Preschool Center offers a program that includes art, music, dramatic play, pre-reading manipulatives, large motor activities, and hands-on natural science. The program blends teacher-directed activities and self-initiated learning, with an emphasis on the process more than the product of learning.

• Ages: 2–5 years old
• Schedule: Monday–Friday class options during the school year, plus a Funtastic Preschool Adventure Camp with up to nine one-week sessions
• Price: A non-refundable $135.00 registration fee per family per year; 2026–2027 monthly tuition ranges by age group and schedule from $1,500 to $2,800

San Anselmo Preschool Center is a non-profit corporation run by a volunteer Board of Directors under the auspices of the First Presbyterian Church of San Anselmo. The board is comprised of parents (past and present), church members, and members of the Ross Valley community, and it maintains licensing standards established by the California State Department of Social Services. The program operates as a 12-month, year-round program and includes access to outdoors, nature, and animals, as described in parent feedback.

The Executive Director is Kathy Newman, and the Executive Director supervises a teaching staff that is well qualified and trained in Early Childhood Education. The San Anselmo Preschool Center holds California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division State License #210102905.

The mission of San Anselmo Preschool Center states a commitment to the growth of each child in an emotionally supportive environment that encourages self-acceptance and self-exploration. The philosophy respects the autonomy of the child in different learning situations, with teachers described as alert and ready to protect, counsel, and guide at the right moment. The mission also states that children can learn to work out problems and conflicts when given the opportunity, with an emphasis on the process more than the product of learning, and a goal of planting within each child the seed of confidence that grows with every success in meeting a challenge. Through careful selection of learning materials, the program states that it hopes to instill in children the desire, the need, and the joy of learning.

Parent testimonials describe children loving “every aspect of the SAPS program” and “every day at SAPS.” Parents specifically mention variation and thoughtfulness of activities, access to outdoors, nature, and animals, and flexibility for children to choose from a number of stimulating activities. Multiple parents highlight that their children are very attached to the staff, describe the staff as dedicated professionals who are also “super fun,” and say that teachers and directors are accessible to children regardless of group assignments. Several comments focus on how much teachers “love and care about the children,” and one parent notes appreciation for staff-made Mother’s Day gifts created with the children.

Last updated March 18, 2026.