Missoula Parents

Preschool

Spirit at Play Early Childhood Program

Listed under Preschools

A group of children with backpacks climb over a fallen log in a forest.
Photo from spiritatplay.org
  • A large group of children and adults posing together in a yard during autumn.
  • A group of children and an adult hike along a hillside trail with mountains in the background.
  • An instructor leads a group of children in yellow safety vests on an outdoor exploration.
  • Spirit at Play kids check out a mural
  • A woman and a group of children hold up freshly harvested carrots in a garden.
  • A smiling child looks at the camera while playing outdoors with other children.

About this provider

Spirit at Play Early Childhood Program is a Missoula area non-profit preschool for 3-6 year old students with an emphasis on the development of social-emotional skills, sustainability, and connection with community.

How to join

Waitlist applications are accepted on a rolling basis and we process them in the order in which they are received.

Enroll: Spirit at Play Early Childhood Program

Program type
Preschool
Approach
NAEYC’s Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligence’s Theory, and Reggio Emilia Philosophy are all integrated into our diverse over-arching teaching philosophy.
Meals
We ask that you send two garden snacks and two protein snacks in addition to your child’s lunch each day for a morning and afternoon snack. This would be a fruit or vegetable (something grown in the ground or from a tree) and cheese, or meat, etc.. Parents must provide a nutritionally balanced lunch with a reusable water bottle, napkin, and utensils for their child.

Philosophy

Spirit at Play’s mission is to provide the essential tools of childhood to help cultivate a community of healthy minds, bodies, and spirits. We at Spirit at Play embrace childhood: Children are little only once. We plant licorice in our garden. We come to school in our pajamas.

A typical day

7:30-9:30 AM Drop-off Time & Outdoor Play – children hang their belongings in their cubbies, wash their hands, and say goodbye to their parents. Children join outdoor play with their core group and get fresh air! During this time classes may adventure out for a run in the neighborhood, care for the garden or otherwise enjoy our outdoor spaces.

Classrooms and ratios

Classrooms
Meadowlark (4.5-6 year old classroom)

Cost and payment

Published cost
$1,273 monthly for 5 days (Monday-Friday)
How families pay
Fee
Child-care subsidy
Accepts Best Beginnings or another subsidy