Chrysalis Preschool

Chrysalis is a small in-home preschool that prioritizes play, social-emotional learning, connection to the natural world, and strives to encourage children’s innate curiosity. Founded in 1989 by Colleen Strohm, and continued now by her daughter, Lily Rosenbaum, Chrysalis combines current evidence-based teaching practices with the knowledge and methods honed over 32 years of experience.

Chrysalis gives your child the benefits you’d expect from the best of the large independent schools: highly trained and experienced professionals, and an excellent quality, developmentally appropriate learning experience. Chrysalis also provides something the larger centers can‘t: a very low teacher/student ratio, and a peaceful, homey environment.

We know the best learning in the preschool years occurs through hands-on experiences and play. Research shows that encouraging children’s curiosities fosters more learning than memorizing or completing worksheets.

We weave literacy and numeracy into our games, songs, and storytelling. Science is explored through cooking, sensory activities, and loose parts play. When we tend the vegetable garden, we not only learn how plants grow, we also hone motor planning skills, study environmental stewardship, and taste new foods. Music is integrated into many activities–singing together at circle time, classical music as we look at books after lunch, upbeat music that signals clean-up time.

Of course, young children need to move their bodies! We play creative movement games, build forts with large foam cushions, climb into and under the loft, and challenge ourselves with obstacle courses outside.

One of the most important things we teach is interpersonal problem-solving and communication.  We emphasize thoughtfulness and empathy, helping children build the skills to collaborate and solve problems together.