Seedlings Home | About Seedlings | Summer at Seedlings | Seedlings Staff

Classes and Tuition | Pre-Kindergarten Program | Wonder Time | Registration | School Tours

Classes and Tuition – introduction

Play-based, child-centered, emergent

LEARNING THROUGH PLAY~ At Seedlings, we believe young children learn best through play, exploration, relationships, and hands-on experiences. Our play-based, child-centered approach gives children the freedom to follow their curiosity while providing the nurturing environment, thoughtful guidance, and daily rhythm they need to grow and thrive.

Throughout the day, children have opportunities to create, build, explore, problem-solve, move, make music, engage with books and language, investigate early math and science concepts, and—most importantly—play. Our teachers thoughtfully prepare environments and experiences based on children’s interests and developmental needs, with an emphasis on the process of learning rather than the finished product.

From our youngest children through Pre-Kindergarten, each stage builds upon the one before it. Children develop trusting relationships, growing independence, confidence, communication and social-emotional skills as they learn to navigate friendships, make choices, solve problems, and become increasingly capable members of their classroom community.

By the time children leave Seedlings, our hope is that they carry with them a strong sense of belonging, confidence in who they are, and genuine excitement about learning—a foundation that will serve them well as they take their next steps into kindergarten and beyond..

we have openings for the CURRENT 2026-2027 school year program

Spiritual formation at seedlings

WONDER TIME

Seedlings welcomes families from all backgrounds and provides an inclusive environment where every child and family can feel a sense of belonging. While Seedlings is a community outreach program of Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church (LOPC), we do not teach religious doctrine as part of our preschool curriculum.

Wonder Time is a special opportunity for members of LOPC’s Children’s Ministry team to visit our classrooms and spend time alongside Seedlings teachers and children. Through playful, age-appropriate interactions, children build relationships with these familiar faces and strengthen their connection to the larger LOPC community.

Our hope is that when Seedlings families choose to attend an LOPC family event, community celebration, or Sunday program, children will recognize friendly faces and already feel a sense of comfort and connection.

Registration

Registration Process

Registration for the upcoming school year begins in February. Because space in our classrooms is limited, enrollment is offered in the following order:

• Currently enrolled Seedlings children
• Siblings of currently enrolled children
• LOPC members
• Families on the Seedlings waitlist
• Community families

Currently Seedlings Families

Currently enrolled families receive priority registration each February for the following school year. Children of Seedlings/LOPC staff and Seedlings Board members are accommodated first, followed by currently enrolled families based on their original family enrollment date and continuous enrollment in the program.

Siblings who are not currently enrolled are considered after all currently enrolled children have been accommodated.

LOPC Members

Current members of Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church receive registration priority following Seedlings families and their siblings. Registration is offered on a first-come, first-served basis as space is available.

LOPC families interested in Seedlings should contact seedlings@lopc.org for registration information. If your child’s age-appropriate class is full, you may join our waitlist with a $125 nonrefundable application fee.

Waitlist & Community Families

After priority registration is complete, available spaces are offered to families on our waitlist. Remaining openings are then made available to community families on a first-come, first-served basis.

Because many classes fill during priority registration, families interested in Seedlings are encouraged to join our waitlist early.

Have Questions?

We’re happy to help you understand the registration process or determine the appropriate classroom for your child. Please contact the Seedlings office at seedlings@lopc.org.