Our Approach
Learning Through Play. Growing Through Discovery.
We believe childhood should be filled with curiosity, creativity, and joyful exploration. At GHCP, every experience is thoughtfully designed to help children build confidence, develop meaningful relationships, and discover a lifelong love of learning.
Purposeful Play
Play is often described as the work of childhood—and we couldn't agree more.
At GHCP, play isn't a break from learning; it is learning. Every activity is intentionally planned to help children develop language, early literacy, mathematical thinking, creativity, problem-solving skills, and social-emotional confidence in ways that feel natural, engaging, and fun.
Rather than focusing on worksheets or memorization, our teachers create meaningful experiences that encourage children to ask questions, make discoveries, and learn by doing. This child-centered approach fosters curiosity while building the foundational skills children need for kindergarten and beyond.
OUR PHILOSOPHY
Growing the Whole Child
Children grow in many ways during the preschool years—not just academically. Our program is designed to nurture every area of development, helping children become capable, compassionate, and confident learners.
Our teachers draw from research-based, developmentally appropriate practices, including the Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines and recommendations from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Every Day is an Adventure
No two days at GHCP are exactly alike, but every day is filled with opportunities to explore, create, and connect.
Children enjoy a balance of child-directed exploration and teacher-guided learning through experiences such as:
Learning Centers & Free Choice Exploration
Outdoor Play & Nature Discovery
Art & Creative Expression
Music & Movement
Sensory Exploration
Dramatic Play
Science Investigations
Circle Time & Storytelling
Early Literacy & Math Experiences
Our monthly themes introduce new ideas while allowing teachers the flexibility to follow children's interests, making learning both meaningful and engaging.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Some of our favorite classrooms don't have four walls.
Located on the beautiful grounds of Peninsula Baptist Church, GHCP is surrounded by approximately two acres of woods, nature trails, and outdoor play spaces that extend learning far beyond the classroom.
Children observe seasonal changes, investigate insects and plants, build forts, climb, run, explore, and develop an appreciation for the natural world through hands-on experiences, rain or shine!
Preparing Children for Kindergarten—and for Life
Kindergarten readiness is about much more than knowing letters and numbers.
At GHCP, children leave with the confidence to try new things, the independence to solve problems, the resilience to overcome challenges, and the social skills to build meaningful relationships.
Along the way, they also develop strong foundations in early literacy, math, science, communication, and critical thinking—giving them the tools they need to thrive in kindergarten and continue growing as lifelong learners.
What does cooperative preschool look like for families?
Learn how parents become active partners in their child's education and help build the welcoming community that makes GHCP so special.