Our Philosophy

Warm, Purposeful, and Rooted in What Children Need Most

For more than 25 years, Kidspace has been a place where children are seen as capable, curious learners with an incredible capacity for joy. Our philosophy is grounded in the belief that young children thrive when they feel safe, supported, and invited into experiences that honor their natural sense of wonder.

Every choice we make, from our materials to our classroom design to the way we partner with families, grows out of this core commitment.

“Education begins the moment we see children as innately wise and capable beings. Only then can we play along in their world.”

~ Vince Gowan

What Does Kidspace Believe About How Children Learn?

We believe children learn best when they are active participants in their day. Their understanding deepens when they are able to investigate, build, test ideas, and return to concepts again and again. At Kidspace, play is not separate from learning—it is learning. Through play, children practice communication, develop early problem-solving skills, navigate friendships, and discover how to be part of a community.

Our teachers watch closely, noticing what captures a child’s attention and what invites deeper thinking. When we follow their interests and offer the right amount of support, they show us just how much they can do.
This approach reflects a blend of research-backed early childhood practices, including influences from Maria Montessori, Howard Gardner, and Loris Malaguzzi. Their shared belief in the ability of young children continues to guide our work each day.

How Do Teachers Support Children With Intention and Care?

Our teachers are experienced, long-term educators who build strong relationships with every child. We take time to learn each child’s personality, strengths, and growing edges. This helps us offer gentle invitations, thoughtful questions, and meaningful extensions that support deeper exploration.

You’ll often see a teacher sitting beside a child, listening carefully, or quietly observing before stepping in. This intentional presence allows children to feel seen and supported without having their discoveries directed or rushed.
We also know that children flourish when the adults around them believe in their potential. Our teachers speak with respect, encourage independence, and celebrate each child’s efforts. Families regularly tell us they feel this warmth the moment they walk through our doors.

What Educational Approaches Influence Kidspace?

While Kidspace is a play-based program, our philosophy is enriched by several well-known approaches to early learning:

Montessori Influences

Many families notice the beauty, order, and purpose of our environment. This is intentional. Like Montessori classrooms, our spaces include carefully prepared materials, opportunities for choice, and activities that strengthen independence and concentration. We respect the child’s pace and offer tools that engage the senses and invite hands-on exploration.

Reggio Emilia Inspiration

From Reggio Emilia, we embrace the idea that children express their thinking in many ways, whether through art, construction, storytelling, movement, or play. We value the teacher as a co-learner and the environment as a partner in the learning process.

Multiple Intelligences

Howard Gardner’s work reminds us that children learn in different ways. Our classrooms offer varied pathways for understanding. Music, language, movement, visual art, problem-solving, and imaginative play all have a place here.

These influences work together to help us meet children where they are and support their social, emotional, cognitive, and physical growth.

How Does the Environment Support Your Child’s Development?

At Kidspace, the classroom is more than a room, it’s a teacher. Thoughtfully arranged spaces help children feel calm, confident, and ready to explore. Natural light, beautiful materials, and purposeful organization inspire curiosity and independence.

We take great care in designing environments that invite children to wonder, question, and test ideas. When a child enters a Kidspace classroom, they know it’s a place where their imagination matters. They see tools they can use, materials they can return to, and spaces that honor their need for movement, creativity, and connection.

A well-prepared environment also supports social learning. Children discover how to collaborate, negotiate, and care for shared materials. These are essential life skills woven naturally into their day.

How Does Kidspace Partner With Families?

Families are at the heart of Kidspace. We believe children grow best when there is a warm, trusting partnership between home and school. From your first visit to your daily drop-off, you’ll feel that sense of connection. Our owner is engaged and present, and our teachers know their families well.

We communicate openly, celebrate milestones together, and support families through the transitions that come with early childhood. When we say Kidspace is a community, we mean it.

What Does “Whole-Child Development” Look Like Here?

Whole-child development means we honor every part of who your child is: social, emotional, cognitive, and physical. A child’s confidence, friendships, self-regulation, creativity, and love of learning matter just as much as early academic skills. Here, your child will get the chance to:

build strong relationships
express big ideas through play
strengthen fine and large motor skills
solve problems with peers
develop early literacy foundations through stories, music, and conversation
experience joy, curiosity, and a growing sense of self

This is the heart of our philosophy: children deserve a place where they feel known, capable, and inspired every day. If you would like to know more or see our learning in person, please reach out to schedule a tour for your family.

Learn About Us

What families say about our program.

Loving, Caring, and Attentive to Each Child’s Needs

We love Kidspace so much! The teachers are so caring and dedicated to helping the kids learn and grow. They are so thoughtful about coming up with activities that would interest and challenge each student. The teachers are also very dedicated to helping kids work on their social and emotional skills. They really meet the kids where they are at, instead of trying to make the kids fit into their classroom. It is very clear that they are experienced educators, and not just babysitters trying to get through the day. We had a tough experience at another preschool in Vancouver, so it was such a relief to finally feel at home at Kidspace!

Truly, every single teacher and staff member is lovely and caring. Everyone knows all of our names, even teachers from other classes. And they are very careful and thoughtful about our kid’s allergies. It’s a relief to send him to school feeling like he is in safe hands.

We also love the play-based curriculum — our kid comes home every day with a new project or story about a fun classroom activity. He is excited to go to school and see all his friends and teachers. What a joy! I am so glad we found Kidspace.

Beth Ford

Happy, Engaged, Supported Independent Play

My husband and I found Kidspace while searching for an alternative to the daycare our 3 year old daughter was previously enrolled in. We toured several different locations, but the moment we found Kidspace we stopped our search. As we toured the classes, we saw happy, engaged, supported independent play. It was like night and day from our previous childcare experiences.

We have been there for a year now, and it is not just our favorite childcare facility in Vancouver, it is one of our favorite places in Vancouver, period. Our daughter comes home excited about what she learned and what she explored every day. Her teachers, Miss Shasta and Miss Tracy are kind, attentive, and endlessly positive. The director of the school, Miss Kathy is one of the most thoughtful, reflective, and compassionate people I know. She runs a truly special program.

When my husband and I talk about our experience with KidSpace, the one thing we repeatedly say is, “I can’t believe this place isn’t at the top of the search results when you look for preschools. I can’t believe our good fortune in them having space for our daughter!”

Jennifer McIntyre

Opened Up a World

Kidspace was absolutely instrumental in my daughter’s growth. Her first language was Vietnamese when we enrolled and yesterday when I said it was very windy outside she said, “No, Papa, it’s blustery!”

This staff is all in on student-centered learning and the arts, crafts, and activities are just next level compared to other preschools. They’ve opened up a world in my daughters mind and we are so grateful to have found this place.

If there was a sixth star rating they’d get it. Worth every penny. Thank you

Scott Million

Perfect Fit

A little over three years ago when we first walked through the doors of KIDSPACE, we knew we’d found our fit. We’ve watched our son grow so much through his Chickadee, Bluebird, and Robin years.

KIDSPACE became home. And the amenities aren’t just limited to the high ceilings, fantastic gym, whimsical playground, and classrooms packed full of the best math, science, sensory, music, building blocks, table toy/manipulatives, libraries, and art centers. No, what makes a house a home is love. The teachers and staff have loved us all like family and we feel the same way. We couldn’t have chosen a better place to lay the foundation for our son’s education.

Katie Scot

Awesome Teachers

After visiting 6 different preschools in the area, we chose kidspace. They work with an in depth curriculum which is suited for the age group. They provide essential social skills and most importantly, the awesome teachers provide and loving and safe environment. Kathy, the owner is an experienced educator and runs a superb school. This school is truly the highest quality you will find. My son has grown by leaps and bounds in all areas in the two years he has been here.

Valerie Jones

Getting Out Energy Through Play

“My son, who is an only child and pretty introverted is absolutely LOVING Kidspace. It’s only day 4 as I write this review, and he goes 3x per week and I think he wishes he could go more! He is already learning so much, and thriving. The space truly nurtures his natural athletic ability, so that was a very important factor for us when choosing a preschool. He thinks the gym at Kidspace is his own American Ninja Warrior training space, so that’s pretty funny and awesome for us because he’s actually tired at night. He can really get out all that energy he has through play, but also learn so much about social skills and communicating his emotions, etc. They spend a lot of time outside and that’s so important! I highly recommend Kidspace.”

Meagan Hope

Well-rounded Education

“We have had two kids attend here and both have truly excelled when entering kindergarten thanks to KIDSPACE. They were always excited to go attend, even after 2.5 years! The staff is educated, and they teach in a wonderful, creative environment that is built on an excellent curriculum. They also go beyond that to teach manners, feelings, and basic life and self-managing skills. Most importantly, they do this because they are passionate to teach, and you can tell that. It has been a great experience for us and the kids!”

Kimberly Nelson

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