Petaluma Adult
Early childhood, from birth to age 4, represents a critical period for brain development and the acquisition of social, emotional, cognitive, and physical skills, as well as the formation of strong emotional bonds. Petaluma Adult School’s Creciendo Juntos educational program recognizes the fundamental role of mothers, fathers, and caregivers as children's first teachers and aims to support them in strengthening their parenting skills through education, emotional support, and community connection.
Creciendo Juntos classes are held at McDowell and McKinley Elementary schools.
Mission
To empower mothers, fathers, and caregivers of children aged 0 to 4 by enhancing their skills and knowledge about child development, with a special emphasis on socio-emotional development, stress reduction, and the creation of positive relationships with their surroundings. The program promotes conscious, loving, and evidence-based parenting while facilitating access to community resources that support the holistic development of young children.
Vision
To be a leading educational program in early intervention, empowering mothers, fathers, and caregivers as the first and most influential teachers of their children. We aim to build informed and supportive communities where every child aged 0 to 4 grows up in an environment that fosters full development, thanks to early guidance, equitable access to learning opportunities, and coordination with family and community support networks.
For more information call Petaluma Adult School at 707-778-4633 or the McDowell Family Resource Center at 707-778-4697.
Pasitos is a program for parents and their three and four-year-olds who are not attending preschool. The goal of the program is to help prepare children to be successful in school and provide parents with tools that will maximize their impact as the first and most important teacher and primary advocate for their child. Parents are encouraged to form a social network on behalf of their children. Pasitos participants attend weekly playgroup gatherings and monthly workshops.
Pasitos classes are held at McDowell and McKinley Elementary schools. The program is free, weekly, and bilingual in Spanish and English.
For more information call Petaluma Adult School at 707-778-4633 or the McDowell Family Resource Center at 707-778-4697.
Co-op classes are held at the Petaluma Parent Nursery School (PPNS) for children 2.9 - 5 years old. Parents volunteer at the nursery school in addition to paying semester and monthly fees. (Classes are currently held online. We are anticipating a return to hybrid instruction in the fall of 2021.)
For more information visit the Petaluma Parent Nursery School website or call 707-499-9193.
Designed for children who have not attended preschool. Ready for K is for families who have a child entering TK or Kindergarten, at Grant, Mary Collins at Cherry Valley, McDowell, McKinley, McNear, Penngrove, or Valley Vista schools in the fall. (Visit the Petaluma City Schools website for more information about Transitional Kindergarten.) These free classes are held at McKinley School in the PPNS Classroom located at 810 Madison St. in Petaluma. Free childcare provided for younger siblings of children enrolled in Ready for Kindergarten. These two-hour classes are held two days a week!
Please call 707-499-9193 for more information.