Bridges to Kinder Parent and Early Childhood Education Program

Bridges to Kinder Parent and Early Childhood Education Program includes activities such as parenting classes, field trips, library time, self portraits, and clay play. The program serves parents along with their children aged 3 years until entry into kindergarten and maintains teacher/student classroom ratios of 1:6. It strengthens the skills and community of its parents and students by offering regular parenting classes, and it encourages parents and children to learn, grow and have fun together through shared experiences.

• Ages: 3 years until entry into kindergarten

Bridges to Kinder Parent and Early Childhood Education Program provides early childhood education that includes fundamental parent education coursework and instruction. The program is dedicated to helping each child develop socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically within a safe, structured and stimulating learning environment. Through observation and hands-on experience, parents gain knowledge of child development theory in action and discover strategies for increasing their child’s self-esteem, cooperation and problem solving skills. The program is dedicated to building strong relationships among educators, families and students, and these relationships help forge a community based on respect, kindness and the desire for mutual growth. The school is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of Bridges to Kinder parents, staff, and members from the Santa Cruz community, and the program is led by Director Laura Tobias. Bridges to Kinder Parent and Early Childhood Education Program is a non-profit, state licensed program (License # 444412156) and is licensed by and accountable to the State Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing.

Last updated March 25, 2026.