---
title: "Toddler & Preschool Programs"
description: "Toddler (15mo–2.9yr) and Preschool (2.9–5yr) programs. Play-based, emergent curriculum, mixed-age classrooms, 2.5:8 and 2:10 ratios."
source: /programs
canonical: https://lexpc.org/programs
last-reviewed: 2026-11-10
---

# Toddler & Preschool Programs

## LPC is a play-based program.

At LPC, we nurture children who are happy, curious, and socially and emotionally confident. We follow the child's natural curiosity and spontaneous activity throughout the day, using this understanding to guide our interactions and curriculum. Rather than immediately correcting or directing, we make space for children to explore their own thinking, form theories, and express ideas, recognizing children as capable thinkers and philosophers.

Through our emergent curriculum, we follow children's interests and cues. Our teachers use these moments to notice when a child is ready to learn more, and then gently build on that momentum.

In a play-based classroom, learning is active. Building with blocks, making art, digging in the sand, working out a dispute in the dramatic-play corner, experimenting with sensory materials, solving a problem together outside — every one of those is where critical thinking, language, literacy, math, science, and social skills get built.

Teachers set up the room around what the children are interested in right now. Materials and layouts invite open-ended exploration without taking over.

Play is also how kids learn the social-emotional skills they can only learn from each other: communicating ideas, taking turns, regulating emotions, practicing empathy, navigating friendships, sticking with hard things. Those skills are the foundation everything else gets built on.

## Our programs

### Toddlers — 15 months – 2 years 9 months

- Ratio: 8 children to 2–3 teachers
- Classrooms: 3

Classes run with two or three teachers for every eight children. That means more lap time, more one-on-one attention, and fewer handoffs when a child needs a grown-up they already know. Toddlers explore through sensory play, music, art, and outdoor discovery.

### Preschool — 2 years 9 months – 5 years

- Ratio: 2 teachers per 10 children
- Classrooms: 3

Classes run at 2:10 — two teachers for every ten children. Fewer transitions, more one-on-one time with teachers who know your child's name, quirks, and current obsession. Our emergent curriculum follows that knowledge: through projects, art, storytelling, and outdoor exploration, preschoolers build the habits they'll carry into kindergarten.

## Why mixed-age classrooms?

Mixed-age classrooms reflect the understanding that children grow at different rates and that age doesn't define ability. Each child is supported where they are, with gentle encouragement to grow and opportunities to learn alongside younger, same-age, and older peers (just like a family).

## Daily schedules

| Schedule | Hours |
| --- | --- |
| Half-day | 8:00 AM – 1:00 PM |
| School-day | 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM |
| Full-day | 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM |

## Weekly options

- 2 days (Tuesday & Thursday)
- 3 days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
- 5 days (Monday – Friday)

Early drop-off at 7:30 or 7:45 AM is available. Other pickup times (4:00, 4:30) can be arranged.