While preschool is traditionally associated with children ages 3 to 5, The Rhoades Preschool in Encinitas welcomes children beginning at 2.5 years of age, giving families early access to a curriculum designed with exceptional intentionality and a clear vision of where each child is headed. Our program nurtures social-emotional development, cognitive skills, language acquisition, and the foundational habits of routine and responsibility that define a prepared, confident learner.

For families in Encinitas seeking a preschool that does more than provide quality care, one that begins the intellectual journey that will define a child’s academic life, The Rhoades Preschool is the answer. Our teachers are practiced at the art of weaving purposeful learning into play in a way that feels entirely natural to children and deeply reassuring to parents. Academic, social, and emotional development are not separate goals here. They are pursued together, within a curriculum designed to produce curious, capable, confident young learners.

Our preschool curriculum was developed by our own Education Department , specialists whose expertise spans early childhood, elementary, and secondary education. It was designed with a singular clarity of purpose: to prepare each child for a seamless transition into The Rhoades Lower School. This is not a generic school-readiness program. It is a curriculum built with full knowledge of what our Lower School expects and what students need to arrive there ready to thrive.

The defining characteristic of our curriculum is integration. Where other programs treat subjects as separate categories of instruction, our teachers weave language, mathematics, fine motor development, and critical thinking together through the lens of each child’s natural curiosity and play. A child captivated by building does not simply stack blocks. They count, name colors, develop spatial reasoning, and refine fine motor precision, all within a single moment they experience as pure creative exploration. This is how we believe young children learn best: not in segments, but in the continuous, connected experience of a world that makes sense to them.

The Rhoades Preschool is open from 7:00 am to 6:00 pm, offering among the most expansive care hours available to Encinitas families. We understand that the demands of work and daily life rarely conform to a simple schedule, and we are committed to providing the consistent, high-quality environment that families rely on.

The Rhoades Preschool is proud to serve families in Old Encinitas, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Olivenhain, Leucadia, La Costa, and Bressi Ranch.

School start dates vary across Encinitas schools. For specific information about The Rhoades Preschool, please visit our school year calendar.

Security is woven into the fabric of our daily operations. Our campus features a coded entry system, ensuring that access is strictly limited to enrolled families, staff, and registered visitors. Upon arrival, all guests must verify their identity at the front desk and remain badged throughout their visit. We utilize the Tadpoles app for digital check-in and check-out, providing an auditable trail of attendance and student activity.

Morning and afternoon snacks are provided daily and included in tuition, ensuring children are nourished and energized throughout the school day. Families pack lunch from home, maintaining an active role in their child’s daily nutrition. We welcome open communication about any dietary preferences, restrictions, or allergies your child may have, and we work to ensure that every child’s individual needs are known and respected within our environment.

No. Development unfolds differently for every child, and potty training is no exception. Our teachers support students at every stage of this journey with patience, consistency, and care. Equally important, we partner closely with families to ensure that routines carry over between home and school.

Our Pre-K program serves as a purposeful bridge to kindergarten at The Rhoades School. By the time students transition to Kindergarten, they have already begun developing the advanced literacy, mathematical reasoning, and inquiry-based habits of mind that are the hallmarks of a Rhoades education.

A day at Rhoades is a balanced symphony of core academics and creative exploration. Our schedule is designed to engage the whole child through a structured yet dynamic flow:

Morning: Community-building Morning Meetings followed by intensive Math and Literacy blocks.

Mid-Day: Specialized Enrichment sessions, supervised outdoor recess, and Fine Arts exploration.

Afternoon: A nutritious lunch and restorative nap period, followed by Music class to round out the day.

Absolutely. We view our parents as vital partners in the educational process. The Rhoades Preschool community is exceptionally engaged, participating in a variety of on-campus activities, “Bring a Friend” events, and off-campus social gatherings. Whether through formal school support or informal community connection, our parents foster a welcoming environment that mirrors the warmth and excellence of our classrooms.