What does Chico Christian

Preschools curriculum look like?

At our preschool, we offer a thoughtfully blended curriculum that nurtures the whole child—socially, emotionally, spiritually, and academically. Our approach combines evidence-based programs and respected educational philosophies to create a rich, individualized learning experience for every child.

Foundations of Our Curriculum:

At Chico Christian Preschool and Infant Center, we take a whole-child approach to learning that supports each child’s spiritual, social-emotional, physical, cognitive, and language development. Our curriculum combines purposeful play, hands-on exploration, teacher-guided instruction, and developmentally appropriate academic experiences.

We use the Second Step Social-Emotional Learning Curriculum alongside the Love and Logic approach to help children develop empathy, self-regulation, communication, problem-solving, and positive decision-making skills. These programs also provide teachers with consistent, respectful strategies for guiding behavior while helping children build confidence, independence, and healthy relationships.

Our curriculum is thoughtfully informed by respected early childhood theories and educational approaches. These influences guide our emphasis on imaginative play, creativity, movement, sensory experiences, independence, and meaningful interactions with teachers, peers, and the environment. Because young children learn best by actively exploring their world, hands-on and sensorimotor experiences are woven throughout the day.

We also incorporate Zoo-phonics, a playful, multisensory language arts program that connects letters and sounds with animal characters and movements. Zoo-phonics is used in many Butte County elementary schools, giving children a familiar foundation as they enter kindergarten. We remain informed about the skills, routines, and learning expectations emphasized in local kindergarten classrooms so we can thoughtfully prepare our students for their next educational step. Our goal is not to bring kindergarten into preschool, but to help children develop the confidence, independence, foundational academic skills, and classroom readiness they need for a successful transition. Each classroom’s curriculum is tailored to the children’s ages, developmental stages, and individual needs, as shown in our learning journey here.

Teachers also develop engaging weekly themes—such as “Under the Sea,” “Transportation,” or “Community Helpers”—that connect learning across art, storytelling, science, sensory play, music, and movement. Themes may be adapted to reflect the children’s interests, allowing teachers to make learning relevant and meaningful. This flexible, child-centered approach keeps our classrooms engaging, creative, and filled with joyful discovery.

Collaborative Teaching & Leadership:

Mrs. Bronwyn, our Director, serves as the school’s Curriculum Advisor, ensuring a cohesive vision across all programs. Each week, lead teachers participate in curriculum meetings within their developmental stage teams, sharing plans and ideas so all classrooms work in harmony. This collaborative approach fosters innovation, consistency, and intentional teaching across the school.

Bible Curriculum:

Faith is woven into every part of our program. Throughout the year, children explore foundational Bible stories using a carefully planned curriculum based on The Beginner’s Bible. These stories are presented in meaningful, age-appropriate ways that help children learn about God’s love and understand how biblical truths connect to their everyday lives.

Each month, the school focuses on a Christian character trait supported by a related Bible verse and worship song. This shared focus helps children practice values such as kindness, thankfulness, self-control, love, and cooperation at school and at home.

Every Wednesday, children ages two through TK gather for Chapel Time. As a school community, we sing, hear a Bible story, pray, and enjoy fellowship together. Through these experiences, we hope to nurture each child’s growing faith and provide a strong spiritual foundation.

A Personalized Approach:

Above all, we believe in providing an individualized preschool experience, where each child is seen, known, and supported. Our goal is to ensure that every child is engaged, learning, and thriving—preparing them for a joyful, confident transition into kindergarten and beyond.