Rainbow School is located in the heart of the town of Mendocino, California, and is affiliated with the Mendocino Presbyterian Church. The Rainbow School staff and the church are dedicated to serving children and families by providing a high quality early childhood preschool experience in an enriched, supportive, and warm environment for children age 2 to 6 years.
Our preschool “campus” offers bright and inviting classrooms on the lower level of Preston Hall and south face playground overlooking Big River bay where children can explore and thrive. Our program offers engaging, developmentally appropriate activities, where each child can learn and participate according to their interests and ability.
Operating Hours
Rainbow School is open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 2:00 PM (per number of children staying & families need). Our classes for 2021-22 and 2022-23 school year are changed to consecutive days during the covid pandemic to provide stable groups of children for 2 & 3 days and for cleaning & disinfecting daily.
- Prekindergarten class (4-5-year olds): Monday-Tuesday-Wednesday 9 AM – 1:00 or 2:00 pm. Children need to be toilet-trained; however, teachers encourage and assist children as needed for them to master toileting.
- Preschool class (3-4-year olds): Thursday & Friday 9 AM – 1:00 or 2:00 PM. It is okay if children are in the process of learning to use the toilet by themselves.
- Play group classes (2-3-year olds): Our “Playgroup” classes have been “paused” until we find the special teacher(s) to reopen this class. Please spread the word and let us know if you know someone who might be interested in teaching little ones! The children in the playgroup are mixed ages or days of older 2-3-year olds or younger 2-year olds, depending on enrollment. Children may be in diapers or pull-ups in playgroup classes.
Afternoon “stay-and-play” child care – hours can be contracted in advance and/or “drop-in” by the hour and are flexible to meet parents’ schedules.
Kindergarten children are welcome to attend afternoons. The Mendocino K-8 School bus with drop off Transitional Kindergarten students at Rainbow School Monday through Friday at 12 noon, where a Rainbow teacher will meet the bus and escort the children into our school for lunch and afternoon fun.
Staff
Our staff and board of directors are dedicated to serving children and families and providing an engaging supportive environment, with fully qualified, competent, and caring teachers. All Rainbow School teachers are trained early childhood educators, who meet state education requirements for preschools and childcare centers. This includes college course work in curricula, planning, child growth and development, child, family and community relations, First Aid, CPR, and more.
Rainbow School employs dedicated, experienced teachers who have chosen this field because they love working with children and share a vision that future lies with our children and a program in which each child can thrive and participate according to their abilities and interests. Mendocino Presbyterian Church Pastor Matt Davis sometimes comes to visit the children and share a story or song with them.
Philosophy
Our program centers on children’s innate curiosity and need to explore, create, and learn through play and open-ended activities. Children need loving guidance and support, which enable them to experience more positively their unique personal developmental process, learning and overall growth.
Rainbow Preschool strives to incorporate aspects of Christian belief within the developmentally appropriate structure of the program. Teachers share basic ideas of love, patience, kindness, reconciliation, forgiveness, and service through modeling, conversation, and problem-solving. This may include songs of thanksgiving, praise, appropriate Bible stories, and a prayer or blessing spoken or sung at snack and lunchtime. Your child will learn about a loving God & creator. At Christmas, we tell the story of the birth of Jesus and his love for all people. We honor the religious beliefs of all people, and may talk about key themes and holidays of other religions and beliefs. We invite family members to share their traditions.
Enrollment
Rainbow School enrollment is open to all children aged two to six years regardless of color, creed, religious belief, or health disability. Rainbow School is a California state-licensed childcare facility #230102349, which requires specific enrollment forms to be completed when enrolling.
Curriculum
The Rainbow School curriculum includes the best of early childhood theories, methods, and practices, sensitively interpreted by qualified early childhood teachers. We take responsibility for supporting children’s journey toward physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and spiritual “wholeness” to provide a strong foundation for their lives.
Location
Offering inspirational views of the Pacific Ocean, Rainbow School occupies the whole lower level of Preston Hall, next to the Mendocino Presbyterian Church. The preschool’s south-facing playground nestles next to the Mendocino Headlands and offers a warm and fun environment for children. Big River Beach is just a short walk away.
Learn more about Rainbow School history and staff. Please contact us with any questions.