Group of young children sitting and standing around a picnic table outdoors on a grassy field, smiling, with school supplies on the table and trees in the background.

Our History 

Rocky River Presbyterian Preschool was established in 1961 by Reverend Jim Walker and Arlene Campbell. Originally, there were 20 children who met three mornings per week. Later, they expanded to five days a week with sessions in the morning and afternoon. Today, we offer morning and afternoon classes for children ages 2.5-5, with space for over 100 children. We continue to evolve to meet the needs of the community!

A teacher demonstrating water experiments to a group of children seated around a circular table in a classroom.

Who We Are

Rocky River Presbyterian Preschool is a non-profit preschool, licensed by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. We provide high quality preschool education for young children, and welcome members and friends of Rocly River Presbyterian Church, as well as community members throughout northeast Ohio. Our teachers create a nurturing environment where students are able to learn and grow through play with their peers.

Five young children sitting at a round table in a classroom, engaging in dot painting activities. One girl is standing at an easel, drawing or coloring on a large paper pad. There are colorful art supplies and storage shelves in the background.

  • Choosing a preschool is one of the first of many educational decisions you will make for your child. With so many options today, it can feel overwhelming! We encourage you to visit us and observe our teachers and students in action!

  • When you schedule a tour at RRPP, we will visit the class that you are considering for your child. Be sure to notice the different play areas in the room, including dramatic play, building blocks, a sensory table, art station, puzzles, and more! You will see student work proudly displayed throughout the school.

  • Our students are not contained to their classrooms all day! At RRPP, we make use of our entire unique facility, which includes a large gym, two outdoor play areas, a special room, and a music room. EVERY class enjoys DAILY gym time, during which students can ride bikes, and play with hula hoops, the balance beam, backetball hoop, rocking boat, and more. When weather permits, the teachers will bring the bikes, bubbles, and chalk outside to play in our fenced paved area, or take the children to our grassy fenced area to play on the obstacle course, in the play houses, and with cars, balls, frisbees, and more!

    In special room, children enjoy monthly rotating themes, such as a veterinarian’s office, grocery store or the beach. The highlight of special room is our giant indoor sand table! Other favorites include giant building blocks, the train set, and our puppet theater.

    In music class, children sing, dance, and move to a variety of songs, using ribbons, musical instruments and more. Music activities are selected to reinforce the classroom themes. We believe in a fun, engaging, play based learning environment!

  • When you bring your child to school, you will pull up to the preschool door at the back of the building. Teachers will walk students from your car into the school.

    Children are greeted by their teachers upon arrival. They find their hooks and cubbies and put away their belongings before entering their classroom and washing their hands. Now they are ready to start the day!

    Most classrooms start with free choice, where students are able to chose where they want to play. Selecting their own activities fosters independence and creativity. Most activities are open-ended, and some relate to the classroom theme. Students are able to interact and learn with their peers. During this time, teachers may work 1:1 with students on letters and numbers or special projects.

    Following these activities, children take part in clean-up, hand washing, and snack time. During circle time, teachers lead students in activties that may include stories, finger plays, songs, weather and calendar.

    Each class participates in gross motor play every day, in the gym and/or outside. Students also enjoy weekly time in the special room, and music class.

    Extended day classes bring a packed lunch to eat at school. Lunch Bunch is available as an add-on for all other classes.

    At the end of the day, you will pick-up your child in the car line. Teachers will walk your student from the building to the car.