Exploring Our Program & Approach
At Chilkat Valley Preschool, childhood is honored as a sacred time of wonder, growth, and discovery. Our program is a home away from home, providing a warm, screen-free, play based environment where young children thrive in rhythm, beauty, and connection to the natural world.
Each day is lovingly guided by song, story, purposeful work, and imaginative play. We provide a strong daily and seasonal rhythm that supports healthy development while cultivating creativity, resilience, and sense of belonging. Here’s a taste of what our school is all about...
A Rhythm That Nourishes
Our consistent daily flow brings children a sense of security and ease. Mornings begin with purposeful work—like folding laundry or chopping vegetables—offering children meaningful ways to contribute.
We gather for circle time, where movement, songs, and oral stories increase body awareness and awaken language and joy. After a warm snack and tea, we head outside to climb, explore, dig, and discover in all weather, surrounded by the wonder of the natural world. Outdoor play may take us on forest walks, to the beach, or into our own backyard grove. Nature is not just a backdrop—it’s a teacher.
Children return nourished by wind, water, mud, and moss, ready for story time and going home filled with stories of their day. For children who stay in aftercare, lunch, rest time, open-ended art, and more outdoor play round out a full and balanced day.
School Calendar
CVP generally follows the Haines Borough School Districts calendar, with exceptions around
conferences and the first day of school. Please note dates below:
School Start & End
First Day of School: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Last Day of School: Friday, May 29, 2026
Parent-Teacher Conferences (school remains open; childcare provided during conference)
October 16–17, 2025 (Thursday–Friday)
April 30 & May 1, 2026 (Thursday–Friday)
No School — Holidays & Breaks
November 27–28, 2025 – Thanksgiving
Winter Break: December 22, 2025 – January 2, 2026
January 19, 2026 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
February 16, 2026 – Presidents Day
Spring Break: March 23–27, 2026
May 25, 2026 – Memorial Day
In-service Days (no school for students)
Friday, September 12, 2025
Friday, October 10, 2025
Monday, January 5, 2026
Friday, April 17, 2026
Emergent Learning
Our classroom themes, projects, and activities are often inspired by the children's interests and community events. For instance, we explore nature hands-on during salmon season, incorporating related stories, drama, science experiments, cooking projects, and art. This approach empowers children to construct their own understanding of the world through play, interaction, and experimentation.
Play-Based Development
We believe that play is the fundamental way children learn about the world and their role in it. It's through play that they build problem-solving skills, social interactions, and the knowledge that serves as a foundation for lifelong learning. Our teachers carefully observe and plan to inspire and expand on the children's natural curiosity, making learning an enjoyable adventure.