Philosophy
We believe that students learn best in an educational environment that nurtures the whole child, promotes learning through inquiry, cultivates a strong sense of community, emphasizes social justice and peace education, and fosters mindfulness and reflection.
Frankford Friends School Early Childhood Center at Fishtown
Frankford Friends is a diverse, equitable, inclusive, and just learning environment, welcoming students and families from all backgrounds and identities to our school. We best serve children who enthusiastically accept challenges, love to learn, and who positively contribute to the classroom and school community in a variety of ways.
Get to Know Us
When you enter our preschool, a sense of calm and warmth envelops you. Our classrooms are peaceful and comfortable places that offer both physical and emotional safety— and where children want to learn. The Fishtown Early Childhood Center offers a Reggio Emilia inspired program designed to nurture the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of young children. Our vibrant and nurturing preschool classrooms provide a space where curiosity and creativity are encouraged through purposeful play.
Inquire and Visit
Request Information or register to attend an admissions event. We look forward to meeting you in person.
Our Program: Reggio-inspired and Play-based
Children learn best through purpose and play, in a diverse community of teachers and peers where everyone belongs. Grounded in the belief that children are natural, curious learners with boundless potential, our Reggio Emilia-inspired program provides a nurturing and stimulating environment where young minds flourish.
Our curriculum introduces age-appropriate academic, social, and emotional skills through discovery, exploration, and imaginative play. This approach supports each child's individual growth and encourages the development of their independence. In our carefully crafted learning environment, children are empowered to make their own choices. They learn the significance of friendship and respect, ultimately cultivating the qualities of a caring and responsible community member.
Key skills empower children with strategies they need to navigate their social world effectively - active listening, understanding and expressing their feelings, self-regulation, compromise, and collaboration, are taught and actively practiced. We place a strong emphasis on community building, which starts with our daily morning meeting. Through various community-building activities, students learn to take responsibility, encourage learning from one another, and establish relationships that will continue to grow throughout their time at FFS.
Reggio Emilia and Frankford Friends School
Child-Centered Learning: Our curriculum is child-led, with a focus on cultivating each child's unique interests and strengths. Through observation and attentive guidance, our teachers tailor learning experiences to spark curiosity, encourage exploration, and foster a lifelong love of learning.
Project-Based Exploration: In our classrooms, children embark on long-term projects that delve deeply into topics of interest. These projects are collaborative endeavors, where children work together, share ideas, and engage in hands-on exploration. Along the way, children develop critical thinking skills, creativity, and a sense of ownership over their learning journey.
Inspiring Environments: Every corner of our classrooms is designed to stimulate young minds and ignite their imagination. Natural materials, open-ended resources, and flexible learning areas empower children to explore, experiment, and express themselves freely.
Celebrating Growth and Collaboration: We celebrate every child's unique journey of growth and discovery. Through ongoing documentation, we capture and reflect on children's learning experiences, making their progress visible to both families and educators.
Join Our Community! We invite you to discover the transformative power of a Reggio Emilia-inspired and play-based education at Frankford Friends School. Through rich, immersive experiences and a nurturing community of learners, we empower children to become confident, compassionate, and curious individuals ready to embrace the world around them.
