Play-Based & Relational Learning
At New Discovery School, we recognize that learning in the early years is multifaceted and closely tied to play and relationships. We strive to build rich, joyful play environments infused with an atmosphere of encouragement under the guidance of our well-trained and long-tenured staff (many 15 years plus). The program seeks to strike a balance between planned, project-based, thematic and seasonal elements, along with emergent, child-driven curriculum.
Morning Program
All 74 enrolled students at NDS participate in the morning program. It runs from 8:45am – 1:00pm with the option of early morning care from 8:00 – 8:45am. Families sign a contract for the entire academic year for the morning program.Â
Extended Day Program
Any child in the morning program may utilize the extended day program.  Families have the choice of ending their day at 3:30, 4:30, or 5:30.  Families sign two extended day contracts, each for roughly a half of the year.Â
Summer Camps
This program is only for currently enrolled families and consists of four 2-week blocks running from the week following the Juneteenth holiday up to mid-August.  It starts at 8:30am and ends either at 1:00pm or 4:30pm and places more emphasis on open stretches of play time both indoors and out.  Registration is typically in early March.Â
Our Programs
8:30 AM - 1 or 4:30 PMÂ
1:00 PM - 3:30, 4:30, or 5:30 PM
8:45 AM - 1 PM
Our Classes
The teachers collaborate to create their own curricula based on their students' interests and developmental needs. In addition, we draw from a variety of social and emotional curriculums that encourage empathy/conflict resolution skills and the understanding of group dynamics such as Second Step.  We Thinkers , and Anti-Bias Education.  Through the teachers' daily guidance rooted in principles of cultivating encouraging classrooms, NDS students learn to recognize and communicate their own feelings, respect others' feelings, exhibit self-control, resolve conflicts, and show kindness and inclusiveness. We strive for children to move on from NDS feeling confident in their ability to navigate many different social settings.
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At the beginning of the year, our students are placed in classes based on age and social-emotional development. The children remain with the same teachers throughout the school year. With low teacher/student ratios in each class, children feel emotionally safe and bond closely with their classmates and teachers.Â
New Discovery School is committed to a child-centered community where learning encompasses the whole child; socially, emotionally, physically, and cognitively.
Threes
There are two classrooms of three-year-olds each with ten children and two teachers (1:5 ratio).
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Age requirement:
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Children must be three years old on or before September 1st.  For example, for the 2027-2028 school year, Threes class children will have birthdays between January 2024 – August 2024Â
Fours
There are three classrooms with 12 children and two teachers (1:6 ratio).
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Age requirement:
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Children are currently four or turning four by December. For example, for the 2027-2028 school year, the Fours class children will have birthdays anywhere in the 2023 year.Â
Fives
There is one classroom with 18 children and 3 teachers (1:6 ratio).
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Age requirement:
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Fives children have birthdays between June and December with priority given to children who are not able to go to kindergarten (September – December birthdays). For example, for the 2027-2028 school year, Fives class children will have birthdays between June 2022 – December 2022.Â
Play Spaces & Learning Environments
All classrooms have spaces for group meetings and circles, block/building, art, dramatic play, books and reading, hands on messy activityÂ
The Open Space
Inclusivity and cooperation are key foundations in early learning, and the Open Space allows children to collaborate with one another on swings, create structures with large scale building materials, and play games together in our indoor tree house. Teachers encourage gross motor development through climbing, jumping, swinging, and crawling through this dynamic space. Children gain confidence in their abilities and learn that with determination and perseverance, they will be able to get stronger, jump farther, and climb higher.
Playscape
Our playscape allows children long, uninterrupted time to play outside, exploring relationships and cooperation with friends and classmates. NDS values open-ended, versatile materials for kids to play with alongside natural materials like sand, dirt, leaves and rocks. They get messy digging in the sand, mixing potions in the sensory table, or creating elaborate "dishes" in our mud kitchen. We value the natural world as a classroom and go outside rain or shine!
Playlot
The Playlot is a space that allows children to explore performance and movement. We encourage teamwork in games and activities like fort building and water play. Blocks, loose lumber, and crates are placed intentionally to encourage open-ended interaction and creativity.
Indoor Classrooms
Play is at the center of our school philosophy, and classrooms are where much of this happens. On a typical day, children are offered the opportunity to play with building toys, sensory materials, dress up clothes, and a variety of art materials. Teachers carefully observe students in their play, adapting materials and games to suit student needs and interests. During long stretches of open-ended play, children have the opportunity to fully immerse themselves in play, discover new interests, grow their imaginations, and enrich their social skills with support and guidance from their teachers.Â
Garden
This outdoor space encourages students to discover and explore natural science and math concepts in a play-rich environment. Children have access to water, sand, and tools for pouring and collecting. The raised garden beds offer the opportunity to grow and care for edible plants. It is a place to get messy and make lots of joyful discoveries through rich sensory play.
Multipurpose Room
This additional space is used by teachers and specialists throughout the day. NDS offers enrichment activities for the kids with programs like dance and music! Each specialist offers students the opportunity to develop skills like coordination, rhythm and teamwork. Teachers also use this space for cooperative games, storytelling and dramatic play.
Art Room
During children’s time in the art room, they will not only gain confidence in their own abilities, but also an insight to the abilities and viewpoints of those around them. This studio offers flexible opportunities for morning and extended day programs with a wealth of materials for unique projects.
Library
In the library, each book is labeled with a sticker based on its genre and organized so children age 3-5 can easily navigate it. NDS has a book culturally relevant and responsive collection policy that promotes access, inclusion, diversity and lifelong learning. Here, children are taught the value of books, as well as how to care for the space. Families are also encouraged to borrow library books to read at home!
Our Specialists
Nicki Mason teaches the children basic ASL signs and phrases through games and stories. Learning ASL is a great way to gain cultural awareness, acceptance, and tap into the natural kinesthesia of young children while strengthening cognitive skills.
Originally from Los Angeles, California and now based in Seattle, Michaela Summers is enjoying getting connected within the Pacific Northwest dance community! She is currently involved in various teaching and community arts programs, including Eastside Dance, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Creative Dance Center. Michaela holds an MA in Dance Education from the University of Northern Colorado and a BA in Theater Arts from Azusa Pacific University. She studied ballet during her undergraduate career at both Palomar College and Citrus College and spent the last eight years teaching Creative Movement as the Performing Arts Teacher at Echo Horizon School (Culver City, CA) to students in PK-6th grade. She is thrilled to be joining New Discovery School as the Movement Specialist!
Bret Ellerton introduces children to the world of music and creative possibilities through the medium of sound. He combines movement with sound exploration as a means of teaching the children the basics of rhythm, pitch, tempo, volume, and song writing. Children not only create their own songs and recordings but also explore and try out various instruments and sound generating devices.
Alex Grennan is the school librarian. They hold a BAS in Early Childhood Education and a Master of Library and Information Science from UW. They enjoy using their skills in the NDS community to help children and adults learn through storytelling.Â
Elise Aney guides children as they explore colors, shapes, and composition in our Art Studio. During each session the children will not only gain confidence in their own abilities, they will gain an appreciation and insight regarding the abilities and viewpoints of those around them. Throughout the program Elise will work to impart each child with the independence and tools they need to translate their emotions, stories, experiences, and ideas creatively whether it be working independently or in collaboration with their peers.Â
After earning 2 degrees in geology, Pam (she/her) became a teacher. She taught high school, elementary school, and at NDS for 18 years in the 5’s class before becoming a full-time writer. She has come to NDS three or four times every year for over a decade as the poetry specialist.Â
Pam introduces the children to poetry with small group presentations utilizing short poems by famous writers (often related to a particular theme or seasonal element) as a starting point. Then, while the children play, Pam meets with each individually, helping them craft their words.Â
Pam also occasionally leads the NDS teaching staff in training workshops on bringing poetry into the classroom. You can try this at home by following her suggestions here: https://playwrightpam.wordpress.com/make-a-poem-at-home-poetry-lessons-for-covid-times/
Her plays have been produced in Seattle, Montreal, and Fort Worth. In 2025 Vagabond Lives of the Barnacle Poets won 2nd place in Stonybrook’s international Science Playwriting Competition. Her 2025 book, Earth at Perihelion was 2nd runner up for the Sally Albiso Poetry Book Award. She’s written 4 poetry chapbooks published by 3 presses.  Pam is also a visual artist.
Day In The Life
