Our experience and extensive research tell us that children require, and learn best, through rich play provided by caring adults with whom they feel safe, understood and respected.

What we believe.

We believe in a child’s abilities. We consider them extraordinary people. We listen to them, getting to know them as individuals, and valuing their trust in us. We meet them where they are, and teach them directly based on our knowledge of them. We support them by providing opportunities for achievement and failure so they can evaluate, re-evaluate, absorb and grow.

Repetition is key. The more this happens, the more capable, resilient and inquisitive they become.

We Believe in play-based learning because every child deserves to wonder, experiment, question, dance, discover, pretend, and create every day.

Learn more about us

We believe in play-based learning because every child deserves to wonder, experiment, question, dance, discover, pretend, and create every day. We know children intrinsically seek learning. Our role as educators is to create environments, provocations, and opportunities to foster each child’s passion for growth. Students choose which daily provocations to pursue while teachers provide guidance.

In this way, students are allowed to become agents of their own learning journeys, leading to confident, curious and engaged individuals.

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“Unless we reach into our children’s hearts we have no entry into their mind.”

~ Regie Routman

What we know.

Secure relationships provide the appropriate conditions for children to engage freely. Play is as vital to health as sleep and nutrition. When children (and adults alike) feel safe to play, their creative right brain is engaged, and their minds are open to think in new and innovative ways.

Dr. Karyn Purvis of Texas Christian University says, “It takes over 400 repetitions to create a synapse in the brain (true learning) without playful engagement, OR about 12 repetitions to create a synapse when you use play to teach.” Can you imagine how many thousands of synapses are created in a single day through our play-based curriculum at KIDSPACE Child Enrichment Center?

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Philosophy of Education

We believe... that play is essential to healthy child development.

We believe... in the power of the home–to-school connection.

We believe... in academic achievement through “hands on learning.”

We believe... that we are bettered by our diversity and embrace what we still have to learn about our whole community.

We believe... in the fundamental need for children to move their bodies to increase their learning.

We believe... strong social and executive function skills are absolutely critical for success in school and life.

We believe… that mistakes are opportunities for growth and essential to learning.

We believe… in God. Though we do not teach doctrine, we are committed to serving Christ through serving children and families.

Our values have stood the test of time.

In December of 1999, KIDSPACE Child Enrichment Center was founded as a Vancouver, Washington preschool. A few years later, we also noticed the need for high-quality childcare in our city. Our goal was not to forsake our preschool curriculum, but to provide quality care which would bookend our rich, play-based preschool program hours.

As the early learning field has increased scientifically, psychologically, philosophically and professionally, we have discovered that our beliefs and the tenets upon which our preschool was built have remained relevant.

This said, we continue to pursue learning and child development ardently to ensure that we are offering the best possible environments for the children and families we serve.

What families say about our program.

Loving, Caring, and Attentive to Each Child’s Needs

We love Kidspace so much! The teachers are so caring and dedicated to helping the kids learn and grow. They are so thoughtful about coming up with activities that would interest and challenge each student. The teachers are also very dedicated to helping kids work on their social and emotional skills. They really meet the kids where they are at, instead of trying to make the kids fit into their classroom. It is very clear that they are experienced educators, and not just babysitters trying to get through the day. We had a tough experience at another preschool in Vancouver, so it was such a relief to finally feel at home at Kidspace!

Truly, every single teacher and staff member is lovely and caring. Everyone knows all of our names, even teachers from other classes. And they are very careful and thoughtful about our kid’s allergies. It’s a relief to send him to school feeling like he is in safe hands.

We also love the play-based curriculum — our kid comes home every day with a new project or story about a fun classroom activity. He is excited to go to school and see all his friends and teachers. What a joy! I am so glad we found Kidspace.

Beth Ford

Happy, Engaged, Supported Independent Play

My husband and I found Kidspace while searching for an alternative to the daycare our 3 year old daughter was previously enrolled in. We toured several different locations, but the moment we found Kidspace we stopped our search. As we toured the classes, we saw happy, engaged, supported independent play. It was like night and day from our previous childcare experiences.

We have been there for a year now, and it is not just our favorite childcare facility in Vancouver, it is one of our favorite places in Vancouver, period. Our daughter comes home excited about what she learned and what she explored every day. Her teachers, Miss Shasta and Miss Tracy are kind, attentive, and endlessly positive. The director of the school, Miss Kathy is one of the most thoughtful, reflective, and compassionate people I know. She runs a truly special program.

When my husband and I talk about our experience with KidSpace, the one thing we repeatedly say is, “I can’t believe this place isn’t at the top of the search results when you look for preschools. I can’t believe our good fortune in them having space for our daughter!”

Jennifer McIntyre

Opened Up a World

Kidspace was absolutely instrumental in my daughter’s growth. Her first language was Vietnamese when we enrolled and yesterday when I said it was very windy outside she said, “No, Papa, it’s blustery!”

This staff is all in on student-centered learning and the arts, crafts, and activities are just next level compared to other preschools. They’ve opened up a world in my daughters mind and we are so grateful to have found this place.

If there was a sixth star rating they’d get it. Worth every penny. Thank you

Scott Million

Perfect Fit

A little over three years ago when we first walked through the doors of KIDSPACE, we knew we’d found our fit. We’ve watched our son grow so much through his Chickadee, Bluebird, and Robin years.

KIDSPACE became home. And the amenities aren’t just limited to the high ceilings, fantastic gym, whimsical playground, and classrooms packed full of the best math, science, sensory, music, building blocks, table toy/manipulatives, libraries, and art centers. No, what makes a house a home is love. The teachers and staff have loved us all like family and we feel the same way. We couldn’t have chosen a better place to lay the foundation for our son’s education.

Katie Scot

Awesome Teachers

After visiting 6 different preschools in the area, we chose kidspace. They work with an in depth curriculum which is suited for the age group. They provide essential social skills and most importantly, the awesome teachers provide and loving and safe environment. Kathy, the owner is an experienced educator and runs a superb school. This school is truly the highest quality you will find. My son has grown by leaps and bounds in all areas in the two years he has been here.

Valerie Jones

Getting Out Energy Through Play

“My son, who is an only child and pretty introverted is absolutely LOVING Kidspace. It’s only day 4 as I write this review, and he goes 3x per week and I think he wishes he could go more! He is already learning so much, and thriving. The space truly nurtures his natural athletic ability, so that was a very important factor for us when choosing a preschool. He thinks the gym at Kidspace is his own American Ninja Warrior training space, so that’s pretty funny and awesome for us because he’s actually tired at night. He can really get out all that energy he has through play, but also learn so much about social skills and communicating his emotions, etc. They spend a lot of time outside and that’s so important! I highly recommend Kidspace.”

Meagan Hope

Well-rounded Education

“We have had two kids attend here and both have truly excelled when entering kindergarten thanks to KIDSPACE. They were always excited to go attend, even after 2.5 years! The staff is educated, and they teach in a wonderful, creative environment that is built on an excellent curriculum. They also go beyond that to teach manners, feelings, and basic life and self-managing skills. Most importantly, they do this because they are passionate to teach, and you can tell that. It has been a great experience for us and the kids!”

Kimberly Nelson