PRLC Preschool
Curious Minds, Child-Led Journeys
The PRLC Approach to Learning
At PRLC Preschool, we celebrate children as naturally curious, capable individuals whose emerging theories and developmental needs guide their learning journey. Instead of traditional instruction, our teachers craft supportive environments where creativity, self-expression, and hands-on exploration flourish.
Through carefully selected materials, neighborhood adventures, and meaningful projects, children develop early literacy, mathematics, and scientific thinking while discovering how to navigate their own path of inquiry. Beyond academics, we nurture the essential values of love, compassion, respect, empathy, and inclusion—building a vibrant community where children learn to understand themselves, each other, and the world around them with wonder and joy.
Program Highlights
Reggio Emilia Inspired Learning
Our experienced staff of educators use observations of student’s play, and reflections on the ideas and theories that might underpin their learning to design a responsive curriculum that’s driven by the foundational belief that children are whole people and deserving of the same rights afforded to all people.
Embedded Atelier Experiences
All of our classrooms spend time visiting our dedicated art studio, or Atelier, and engaging in experiences designed in partnership between their classroom teachers, the Atelierista, and the Director of Pedagogy. Students are empowered through opportunities to develop competencies within various 2-D and 3-D media, explore traditions of visual arts, and share their work with their communities.
Off-Site Adventures
In response to the children’s emerging theories, we seek to ground children in a sense of place and connection to the surrounding area by visiting destinations both in the neighborhood and throughout the region. On any given day you may find our students at the local market, the library, or any of the green spaces and waterways throughout the greater Seattle area.
Who Are We?
PRLC Preschool, established by Phinney Ridge Lutheran Church in 1959, has served our community for over six decades. While educational approaches have evolved significantly during this time, our core commitment remains steadfast: providing all children with affordable, high-quality care based on current best practices. This guides our child-centered curriculum that honors curiosity and competence alongside our inclusive community values.
As a neighborhood institution with deep roots, we've served generations of families while continuously refining our program based on the latest research, creating an environment where children explore and grow within a supportive community that has stood the test of time.