Community Arts Preschool is a preschool enrichment program of Center for Community Arts. Our preschool  is a developmental early childhood program inspired by Reggio Emilia practices and encourage child centered, play-based learning. Our teachers educate the whole child through integrated curricula where children’s emerging ideas and interests play a vital part in our planning. Our program offers a foundation for meaningful, experiential and creative arts-based learning. Children will experience learning in an inclusive environment – where they can feel safe making mistakes as well as experiencing the joy in success.

At Community Arts Preschool, we strive to:

• Provide appropriate learning experiences through play and a balance of teacher facilitated and self-directed activities that contribute to the needs of children in all areas of development: social, emotional, physical, and cognitive

• Create meaningful arts-based experiences for children as a basis for developing learning skills and concepts

• Facilitate learning opportunities in an environment in which children are free to develop through concrete experiences and take responsibility for their own choices

• Recognize every child as being unique, valuing their emerging ideas and individual efforts, along with their need to learn, explore and discover at their own pace

• Enhance a positive self-image, a sense of self-worth and self-direction in each child

• Foster responsibility, respect, empathy, and care for the environment

• Value the diversity of the community we serve and maintain open communication and understanding with the families in our community

Community Arts Preschool has a long history in the Walnut Creek community, previously known as Fine Arts Preschool. This program is provided through the City of Walnut Creek’s Arts and Recreation Department. Community Arts Preschool is a part-time, recreational preschool enrichment program, which is not required to be licensed by the State. The Department of Social Services, Child Care Licensing exempts any preschool program, offered by a city recreation department, providing that it is not childcare. Community Arts Preschool provides a safe, nurturing environment that promotes the social, emotional, intellectual and physical development of every child.

Community Arts Preschool offers a range of classes for students 24 - 57 months. Each of our classes is supported by an experienced Lead Teacher and Coteacher. Our classes maintain a teacher to student ratio of 1:7 or less.  

 

Magnolias (Ages 24 - 35 Months)

Our Magnolia classes provides a warm, supportive environment for young children—often their first experience in a school setting in partnership with parents and caregivers. We place a strong emphasis on social and emotional development, helping each child work through separation anxiety and begin to build independence. Learning at this stage is hands-on and experiential, featuring age-appropriate centers that support growth across all developmental domains. Children explore through sensory motor stations, arts-integrated activities, tactile experiences, and manipulatives, laying the foundation for curiosity, confidence, and early learning. 

Class Locations: Shadelands & Heather Farm 

Requirements: Students must be 2 years old by September 1. 

 

Willows (Ages 33 - 47 Months) 

Our Willow classes builds on the foundation developed in the Magnolia Class and helps prepare children for the Redwood class. Through a project-based, arts-integrated approach, children are encouraged to express their creativity, build meaningful peer relationships, and grow in independence within a nurturing, play-based environment. Children engage in collaborative play and explore emerging ideas in small group learning stations. Hands-on experiences and arts-rich activities support the development of language, literacy, math, and science skills, while encouraging curiosity and experimentation. The curriculum is guided by children’s interests and promotes critical thinking, confidence, and creativity. 

Class Location: Shadelands 

Requirements: Students must be 2.75 years old by September 1. 

 

Redwoods (Ages 42 - 57 Months)

Our Redwood class supports children as they prepare for Kindergarten or Transitional Kindergarten, offering a rich, play-based curriculum that emphasizes creative problem-solving and self-expression through the arts. Guided by children's interests, teachers lead project-based learning experiences that encourage exploration in art, language, math, and science. Our language-rich environment fosters vocabulary development, helping to strengthen early reading and writing skills. The curriculum also supports social-emotional and cognitive development by encouraging collaboration, independence, and flexible thinking in a nurturing and engaging setting. 

Class Location: Shadelands 

Requirements: Students must be 4 years old by March 1 of the school year and fully potty trained. 

 

Maples (Ages 36 – 57 Months)

Our Maple class offers a multi-age, play-based class for children ages 36 to 57 months, designed to prepare students for Kindergarten and Transitional Kindergarten. Guided by children’s interests, teachers lead project-based learning experiences that encourage exploration in art, language and literacy, early math, science, and social studies, all designed to foster cognitive, physical, social, and emotional growth. Children engage in collaborative play, build language skills, and explore emerging ideas in small group learning stations. Through hands-on experiences, arts-integrated activities, and peer interaction, students develop confidence, creativity, and a lifelong love of learning. 

Class Locations: Heather Farm

Requirements: Students must be 3 years old by September 1 and fully potty trained. 

 

Community Arts Preschool classes take place at the following locations in Walnut Creek: 

Community Arts Preschool at Shadelands

111 N. Wiget Lane, Walnut Creek

Community Arts Preschool at Heather Farm

500 N. San Carlos Drive, Walnut Creek 

Interested in learning more about Community Arts Preschool? Review our Parent Handbook and Frequently Asked Questions about our program.

Preschool Parent Handbook

Frequently Asked Questions

Please review our dates for the summer and school year. 

Community Arts Preschool Calendar 25-26

Community Arts Preschool Calendar 26-27