About Us

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Little People Preschool was founded in 2000 by Galina Cherkas, an early childhood educator and mom of three. She had a vision of a high-quality preschool where young children could learn and grow at their own pace, fully experience the joy that it is to be a child, and confidently enter Kindergarten with what they need to succeed in school and in life.

Education at Little People is hands-on labor of love. Children use their hands and all their senses to explore and work hard in a thoughtfully prepared, hands-on environment with talented, nurturing, well-qualified teachers as guides and partners in the learning process. At Little People, children have many opportunities to develop their whole self across 6 domains: social-emotional, sensory, motor, cognitive, language, and self-care. Teachers start by developing meaningful relationships with children and observing what they know already as they explore and interact in the prepared environment. Through sensitive observation, teachers create a rich hands-on learning environment for all and tailor specific learning experiences for each child.    

Children who go through our program will have experiences and guidance that teach them how to regulate themselves, relate sensitively and authentically to others, and function successfully in a group. They will integrate all five senses to perceive and understand the world. Many activities will aid in the refinement of fine and gross motor coordination, and help them learn how to take care of their bodies and personal items throughout the day with increasing independence. Children will learn ways to solve problems, experience cause, and effect, engage in reasoning and gain early math skills. Their language abilities will increase across the domains of speaking, hearing, and listening, and they will develop beginning reading and writing skills.  

When children graduate from our program and go on to kindergarten, they will be able to communicate well verbally and will be beginning to read and write. They will have an understanding of the properties of numbers. Children will be able to function independently throughout the daily routine and participate successfully in a group setting with empathy. They will be perceptive and observant, have a working understanding of cause and effect, solve simple problems, and ask great questions. Graduates will also exhibit creativity and have a deep appreciation of the natural world. All in all, children who go through our program will have experienced the rich childhood that all children should experience, and enter kindergarten with the skills, smarts, and love of learning that they need to succeed.   

Today Little People's hearts are filled with the fond memory of Natasha, the best mom and teacher. She has been with the school since its founding and has filled kids' hearts with joy, love and her graceful pedagogy inspiring us all to find the best in ourselves.