PreK at McLaren Link to this section
At John McLaren Early Education School our curriculum of choice is Creative Curriculum. Creative Curriculum is a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that features hands-on, project-based investigations as a pathway to learning.
We have a balance of indoor and outdoor learning experiences that support children in their cognitive, social and emotional, and physical development skills. We set up the classroom in learning centers to accommodate children of all learning styles.
We provide opportunities for hands-on-activities, indoors and outdoors. We have an outdoor garden area where children learn and connect with nature. Our children have opportunities to enjoy physical play in our beautiful outdoor space, and on rainy days and when needed, children do physical play in our movement room.
PreK Programs
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Integrated General Education Class
Early Childhood Special Education teachers monitor and provide support with IEP goals in a General Education setting with typically developing peers while also keeping the standard education with instruction.
PreK Special Day Class
Early Childhood Special Education teachers provide intensive instruction with a small teacher to student ratio to support goal progress and peer engagement
PreK Schedule and Year Round
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PreK Hours & Schedules
PreK Hours
Our PreK General Education (GE) classes have various start and end times based on contract hours
Monday through Friday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Our PreK Special Day Class (SDC) and PreK Inclusion program have the same start and end times 5 days a week
Monday through Friday: 8:40 AM - 12:40 PM
Daily Schedule Example for PreK General Education (GE) and Inclusion
7:30 | Arrival |
7:30 - 10:00 | Breakfast, Indoor Exploration (Guided Project Extension and Independent Discovery |
10:00 - 10:15 | Community Circle (Kimochis, Focus Project Learning: Group Discussion) |
10:15 - 10:30 | Small Group |
10:30 - 10:45 | Table Top Activities |
10:45 - 11:00 | Read Aloud |
11:00 - 12:00 | Outdoor Exploration |
12:00 - 12:30 | Lunch |
12:30 - 2:15 | Rest Time |
2:15 - 2:30 | Wake Up / Bathroom / Snack |
2:30 - 2:45 | Read Aloud |
2:45 - 3:45 | Indoor Exploration (Guided Project Extension and Independent Discovery |
3:45 - 4:00 | Transition to Departure / Closing Circle |
4:00 - 5:30 | Students transition to Closing Classroom / Dismissal |
Daily Schedule Example for PreK Special Day Class (SDC)
08:40 | Pick up children from the bus & welcome children to the classroom |
08:40 - 08:55 | Check Individual Schedule / Toileting |
09:00 - 09:25 | Breakfast |
09:25 - 10:20 | Indoor exploration / Merge small group activities |
10:20 - 10:40 | Outdoor class is open (garden / sand box) |
10:40 - 11:00 | Toileting and Community Circle |
11:00 - 12:00 | Recess Time |
12:00 - 12:30 | Wash Hands / Lunch |
12:30 - 12:40 | Closing Community Circle / Goodbye Song |
Please Note:
- This is an example of the daily routine. This schedule may change based on district guidelines or staffing needs.
- Student arrival and departure times depend on contractual hours.
Year-Round
Full-Time, Year-Round PreK
Full-Time, Year-Round PreK is offered at John McLaren Early Education School. School hours are from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
School-Term
Our School-Day, School-Term PreK and PreK-SDC program run in alignment with TK for a school day of six hours following the School-Term Academic Calendar from SFUSD.
Academic instructional calendar.
Fill Out An Application Link to this section
The PreKindergarten (PK) Program serves children ages 2 years and 9 months to 5 years old. We offer both full-time and school-day options, and both subsidized and tuition-based enrollment slots.
Pick up an application at the Early Education Enrollment Office or download one from www.sfusd.edu/prek. Make sure you complete all sections and sign and date the application form. You can also complete and submit an online application at www.earlylearningsf.org
PreK Applications Link to this section
English PreK Application Solicitud de preescolar en español 中国学前班申请
For more information, visit How to Apply for Early Education Programs: PreK
Waitlist Link to this section
It is common for families to be placed on a waitlist during preschool enrollment. John McLaren Early Education School staff do not have access to this waitlist. If you have any questions about the waitlist process please contact the central office Early Education Enrollment Specialists at (415) 241-6085.
How to Apply Link to this section
The Early Education Enrollment Office is open from 8am to 4:30 pm Monday thru Friday. You can also reach them at: (415) 241-6085 or (415) 401-2500 or email at EEDEnrollment@sfusd.edu to schedule an appointment.
To apply for subsidized PreK, parents can complete the online application at www.earlylearningsf.org. Or email their application to EED at EEDEnrollment@sfusd.edu and we can enter it into Early Learning SF. For families who are applying for the Tuition Based slots, they can mail PreK application along with the non-refundable $100.00 (money order or cashier’s check) to either address indicated on the application.
If you have any questions about the PreK application or enrollment process, you can contact the Early Education Office by email at EEDEnrollment@sfusd.edu.
For more information, visit the Early Education Department
This page was last updated on March 15, 2025