Welcome to PreSCHool

Springside Chestnut Hill Academy's Early Childhood Center (ECC) opened its doors in January of 2020! ECC offers a warm and stimulating private preschool environment in Philadelphia for children 18 months to 4 years old. Aligning with SCH's mission to inspire unbounded curiosity and independent thought, the center follows the Reggio Emilia approach—an internationally recognized and respected method of teaching.

SCH is an Equal Opportunity Provider. We look forward to welcoming you on campus to start your preschool journey at SCH Academy, Philadelphia's largest independent private school located in Chestnut Hill.

Reggio Emilia Approach

The Early Childhood Center is modeled on the Reggio Emilia philosophy (used in 34 countries around the world), which emphasizes child-centered, teacher-guided exploration in a relationship-driven environment, with a focus on nature and community as sources of learning.

The Reggio approach is one that values the child as strong, capable, resilient, and rich with wonder and knowledge, emphasizing project-based activities, the arts, the environment, family participation, and community.

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"Children, from birth, are eager to learn and relate. They seek to examine, experience, and connect with the people and phenomena surrounding them. In education and in life, children and adults thrive when there are interesting resources, complex environments and experiences, time for the pleasure of learning and being, reciprocity, sharing, traces of interpreted experiences in process, a strong sense of belonging, and optimism for the future." ~ N orth American Reggio Emilia Alliance

Stories from Early Childhood Center

Campus Updates

Early Childhood Center Dedicates New Playground to Director

Science

The Chestnut Chipmunks Celebrate Earth Day Planting American Chestnut Saplings

Early Childhood

Happy Birthday ECC! SCH's Early Childhood Center 1 Year Anniversary

Painting with Your Hands

Literature

A Book for the Day

Girl plays with play kitchen at SCH's daycare

Reggio Emilia

ECC's First Week

Toddler plays with rainbow puzzle at daycare

Reggio Emilia

Curiosity-Led Learning

Campus Updates

Early Childhood Program Opened January 2020

Our son has been to several different daycares, and after one day at the ECC we noticed a huge difference. Not only have interactions with his teachers been warm, welcoming, and communicative, he has blossomed. At the end of each day, he is eager to try and talk about all the activities and adventures they embarked on, as well as all his new friends. He comes home full of life, love and learning.

PARENT
Willows Class at ECC